Gannon Magazine - June 2021

June 2021

A SACRED

transformation Renovations enhanced the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel as a place of worship and prayer for our community.

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IN THE NEWS

PLASTIC REVOLUTION

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A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses.

How one Gannon alumna is saving the oceans.

A BRUTE FORCE: (I-)HACKING IT

Training the next generation of networking talent.

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Keith Taylor, Ph.D., Gannon president, delivers remarks during the Mass and Rite of Dedication of the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel in April.

from the

president

I’ve come to find the promise of growth and new life that comes with the spring season particularly rejuvenating this year as I reflect on our lives as a Gannon community. The growth and renewal we are experiencing on our campuses this spring are the result of prior seasons of hard work, dedication and resilience.

This year marks my 16th year with Gannon University, and with each passing day I am reminded of how truly special it is to be a part of a community that comes together to overcome challenges, celebrate joys, make good on our promises to each other, and share the fruits of our work for the betterment of the world around us.

Our continuously changing campus landscape is a revealing picture of our University’s progress. We celebrated the transformation of our Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel after two years of renovations. The new powerful aesthetic of our Chapel draws the attention it deserves as it brings us deeper into our commitment to our Catholic faith tradition.

It reminds us that, even amid challenging times, faith carries us forward.

The opening of the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge this spring ignited an exciting venture into intelligent system design. Our students and faculty have already begun using this stunning facility as we prepare a new generation of professionals to tackle the ever-growing challenges of cybersecurity. Without missing a beat, the team has begun renovating the 40,000-square-foot South Hall into a 100bed niche residence hall that will open in Fall 2022 to accommodate our growing student enrollment.

Doug Oathout Chief of Staff and Director of Marketing and Communications

Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 • June 2021 Gannon University • 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 • (814) 871-7000 www.gannon.edu

Brianna Mariotti Marketing and Content Strategist

In many ways, this has been a year unlike any other in our lives and at Gannon. When many institutions decided to remain virtual due to the pandemic, we believed that being on campus and in our classrooms was the most powerful way for us to foster learning and transform the lives of our students. And that is what we did, creating our own systems and path to staying open and safe throughout the entire year.

In the classroom, our students have harnessed innovation and creativity to complete projects like developing novel prosthetic legs for a dog and designing an interactive helicopter simulator. In our communities, alumni are reminding us of the incredible people our graduates become by bringing health to our nation through their careers and leading a movement to break plastic dependency. Teaching our students to view life through the lens of this untapped potential and seeing how effectively they apply their found knowledge and skills will always be such a gratifying and meaningful part of our work here at Gannon University.

We are grateful to have celebrated this incredible year together in person at our recent commencement ceremonies both in Erie and in Ruskin. I think we would all agree our students have overcome unprecedented obstacles to achieve the milestone of their graduation. What a wonderful opportunity it was to witness as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and begin new journeys, fully confident and capable in their abilities.

Much of what you read in the coming pages will reflect these and other positive moments of growth, transformation and learning. They are stories we are only able tell because of our incredible students, faculty and staff who made them happen and who inspired the transformation that we’re called to promote. I pray that we each hold fast to the perspective of renewal this spring as we reflect on these stories and our own lives. I am so honored to share with you this issue of the Gannon Magazine.

God Bless,

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

Gannon Magazine is published

by University Marketing and Communications: Mallory Bottoni ’14 Haley Figurski Michael Gorski ’11M Laura Giannelli Matthew King Andrew Lapiska ’09M Nicole Lossie ’11 Raechel Miller Kristine Rilling

We value your input; please direct any comments, questions or feature ideas to magazine@gannon.edu.

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writing staff and guest contributors

photography student, staff and alumni contributors

printing Royle Printing

class notes and address changes Jana Hunt Assistant Director, Gift Recording hunt001@gannon.edu • (814) 871-7469

contents Gannon Magazine June 2021

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Plastic Revolution

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In the News

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Designing Solutions to Enhance Lives

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A Sacred Transformation

A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses.

Cross-disciplinary senior design projects bring students together to develop products that make a difference.

Forging Pathways for Global Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought welcome attention to the heroic efforts of frontline health care professionals, including three Gannon alumni.

A Brute Force: (I-)HACKing It

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Delivering a STEM Education

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The Comeback Team

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Class Notes

A collaborative community initiative brought STEM learning directly to the homes of Erie’s urban youth.

The Gannon men’s wrestling team returned to the mat for one of the most successful seasons in team history.

Keep up with the latest news from Gannon alumni.

With Honors

Meet the inspirational alumni who delivered our keynote speeches during the Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies.

On the Cover: A Sacred Transformation The sanctuary of Gannon’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel offers a powerful aesthetic after significant renovations enhanced this sacred building. The University celebrated the reopening of the Chapel during a Mass and Rite of Dedication in April, providing a spiritual home for Gannon family and friends to grow in their faith journeys.

To learn more, turn to page 16.

View the Gannon Magazine Online Edition Look for this symbol for articles with exclusive video and photo galleries found in the Gannon Magazine online edition at magazine.gannon.edu/June2021.

To receive the Gannon Magazine online edition directly to your inbox or to manage your subscription preferences, visit gannon.edu/magazine.

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IN THE

NEWS GANNON COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS UPHOLD CAMPUS HEALTH

Gannon expanded its COVID-19 mitigation efforts by launching an on-campus vaccination clinic in February in partnership with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. As of May 1, about 1,300 students and employees were fully vaccinated. The University also continued its on-campus surveillance program, processing more than 25,550 COVID-19 Gannon Nurse Gregory Wilcynski, samples from students and employees on its BSN, RN tests a patient at Gannon’s Erie and Ruskin campuses since June 2020 on-campus COVID-19 testing site. while actively tracing all associated close contacts of known positives in the Gannon population.

Ongoing daily health and temperature screenings, social distancing, mask wearing and other healthy behaviors upheld a culture of mutual care and support across campuses that has maintained a safe learning and working environment for the Gannon community this academic year.

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TUITION % INCREASE

GANNON FREEZES TUITION COSTS The Gannon University Board of Trustees approved a 0% increase in tuition for the 2021-22 academic year.

This is the first time in two decades this decision has been made and comes as an acknowledgment of the hardship faced this past year with the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNDERCOVER BILLIONAIRE RETURNS TO ERIE, GANNON

“Undercover Billionaire” Glenn Stearns.

“Undercover Billionaire” Glenn Stearns returned to Erie to help local business owners turn their businesses around in just 27 days in a six-part series titled “Undercover Billionaire: Comeback City.” The Gannon Small Business Development Center’s former clients, including Tipsy Bean, Lake Erie Rubber and Manufacturing, and Dominick’s Diner LLC, were centerpieces of many of the episodes.

The SBDC was also featured providing entrepreneurial resources to spotlighted business and former client, TKO-Erie.

Stearns was introduced to the Gannon community when he went undercover to launch a business venture with aid from the University’s entrepreneurial resources, an experience that was featured on Discovery’s “Undercover Billionaire.” He joined Gannon once more as the keynote speaker for the Spring 2020 Commencement. Due to canceled in-person commencement ceremonies, Stearns delivered a special message to the Class of 2020 graduates in a tribute to these newest alumni during a virtual event. Gannon awarded him with an honorary degree to recognize his contributions to the University and the Erie community.

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GANNON MAGAZINE JUNE 2021

Gannon Head Women's Basketball Coach Cleve Wright.

HEAD COACH CLEVE WRIGHT EARNS 300TH CAREER WIN Gannon Head Women's Basketball Coach Cleve Wright earned his 300th career coaching victory in a 55-43 win over Bluefield State this February. Wright has compiled a 306-194 overall record more than 16 seasons, including a 271-107 record during 13 seasons in two stints with Gannon. Wright just concluded his 13th season as the head coach at Gannon University and is the all-time winningest coach in program history.

WERG 90.5 NAMED BEST COLLEGE STATION Gannon University’s student-operated radio station, 90.5 WERG, received national accolades when it was named “Best College Station” for all colleges with enrollment under 10,000, during this year’s 81st Annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference. WERG also took home national titles in “Best Show Promo” for “Sonic Sunrise Morning Show,” produced by student Robert Fox; “Best Celebrity News Interview” for its October airing on “Super Soul Saturday” with alumnus Homer “Lee” Smith and the cast of Hamilton; and “Best Gannon’s 90.5 WERG received national accolades. Music Director” in recognition of student Amanda Drew.

GANNON ALUMNUS DONATION ESTABLISHED ORLANDO BIOMEDICAL ETHICS AND CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING ENDOWMENT A $250,000 gift from alumnus Richard G. Orlando, M.D., F.A.C.S., ’76, and his wife, Cynthia, established the Orlando Biomedical Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching Endowment that supports learning and awareness across fields that Richard G. Orlando, M.D., F.A.C.S., ‘76 and his promote ethical care and respect for wife, Cynthia. the dignity of the human person.

The endowment funds educational experiences to enrich current and future Gannon students’ understanding for ethical considerations related to the care for human life and prepares them to navigate complicated ethical issues. It will also establish an annual lecture series beginning in Fall 2021 in Erie and Winter 2020 in Ruskin to provide Gannon students and faculty, the public and health care leaders with opportunities for continuing their education.

GANNON TO WELCOME CHICK-FIL-A TO ITS ERIE CAMPUS IN FALL Gannon University students will soon have yet another dining option on the school’s Erie campus. A Chick-fil-A will be built on campus in the University’s Waldron Campus Center and is expected to open after the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

The University chose to partner with Chick-fil-A based on student feedback and dining preference and to enhance the variety of available Students celebrate the announcement of dining options, which include a Chick-fil-A coming to campus this fall. traditional dining hall, grab-and-go as well as made-to-order locations across campus, and a University-owned restaurant and café.

Naomi Peltier, a member of the JEDI Student Advisory Committee.

AN UPDATE FROM THE JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STEERING COMMITTEE Gannon formed a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee in Fall 2020 that focuses on long-term institutional planning and immediate engagement opportunities for Gannon community members. The Steering Committee established priorities for 2021 that include developing a communication plan; creating a resource hub that includes tools around topics like selfawareness building; incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts into human resources recruitment, orientation and other related areas; and development of position proposals and a financial plan for long-term sustainment of these efforts at Gannon. Committee co-chairs also met bi-weekly with an associated JEDI Student Advisory Committee to communicate updates, listen to and obtain student feedback, and facilitate student involvement. The Steering Committee will continue to plan and implement efforts to embed its vital mission into the institutional culture at Gannon. #GANNONFAMILY

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Plastic Revolution

How One Gannon Alumna is Saving the Oceans

2020 Goldman Environmental Prize winner Kristal Ambrose ’16 at a beach cleanup in the Bahamas.

(Photo: Dorlan Curtis, Jr. and Jawanza Small; Credit: Goldman Environmental Prize)

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GANNON MAGAZINE JUNE 2021

Kristal Ambrose ’16 at a beach cleanup in the Bahamas. (Photo: Dorlan Curtis, Jr. and Jawanza Small, credit: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Environmental scientist Kristal Ambrose ’16 said she doesn’t see herself as a hero, but rather “a young woman who saw a problem and did something about it.”

The problem? Harmful single-use plastics that last forever, affect human health, spoil our groundwater, attract other pollutants, threaten wildlife and the environment, poison our food chain, and cost billions to abate.

What is she doing about it? Leading a movement to teach the world to break plastic dependency and an entire country in banning single-use plastics.

That feels heroic.

Ambrose said she’s always been curious about what was beneath the ocean’s surface and has wanted to pursue marine biology from a young age. After graduating high school, she worked in a local dive shop and then an aquarium before becoming a research assistant for several marine research institutes in The Bahamas.

Every 10 seconds 240,000 plastic bags are used worldwide, contributing to 280 million tons of plastic produced annually. More than five trillion pieces of plastic weighing 268,940 tons pollute the world’s oceans. One hundred thousand marine animals are affected annually through ingestion or entanglement of plastic debris due to our plastic dependence.

Enter the work of Ambrose’s Bahamas Plastic Movement, which includes educating students in K-12 classrooms in The Bahamas and the United States, engaging them in citizen science research, and developing curriculum. BPM sets up projects on plastic pollution and recycling, helps students gain service credits through volunteering, and so much more.

In 2012, Ambrose sailed the Pacific “Working with youth keeps me Youth participate in a plastic workshop with the Ocean to study the Western Garbage Bahamas Plastic Movement. (Photo: Bahamas Plastic hopeful,” said Ambrose, 29. Through Patch, a known gyre containing Movement; Credit: Goldman Environmental Prize) her advocacy, she also works annually marine debris. When she saw the with the Algalita Plastic Ocean Pollution Solutions Youth impact of the world’s – and her own – plastic-filled Summit.

“They remind me that this work is deeper than lifestyle, her focus shifted to the pursuit of plastic-free seas. plastic and more about giving a voice to the voiceless and She returned home, ready to spark a plastic pollution using that voice to protect our earth and oceans that we revolution: The Bahamas Plastic Movement. love and rely on.”

BPM’s mission is “to build a community of education Why is it so important to involve and educate young and activism around plastic pollution. By empowering people?

Bahamians to contribute to hands-on citizen science and “Their voices deserve to be heard,” Ambrose said. “Young environmental leadership, BPM aims to evolve mindsets people are full of incredible ideas. They are passionate, and spark cultural practices that will be pivotal in courageous and globally connected. When we engage executing changes at the policy level.” young people in environmental and social

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issues, it awakens them to their capabilities and creates an allyship that can propel any movement forward.”

Ambrose’s earth-changing work doesn’t stop with founding a nonprofit that changed the way a nation – and through outreach like their social media and film “Plastic Warriors,” the world – views and uses plastic.

Kristal Ambrose, also known as Kristal Oceans, went on to earn the Environmental Youth Leader Award from The Government of The Bahamas in 2014. In 2016, Ambrose earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary science from Gannon with a focus on environmental science, biology and education.

“My history electives (at Gannon) with Dr. Baugh and Dr. Bloodworth were life-changing. Those courses somehow reshaped my worldview and made me aware of my position in the world and the power I have as an individual to use my voice to drive change,” Ambrose said.

2020 Goldman Environmental Prize winner for Islands & Island Nations, Kristal Ambrose ’16 (Credit: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Grateful, passionate and far from done.

Ambrose is studying for her doctoral degree at the World Maritime University in Sweden, focusing on marine debris monitoring strategies for the Caribbean region.

Leaving Gannon, Ambrose established a marine debris management plan for The Bahamas at Dalhousie University “Life is school,” she said. “Continuing with my education as a double minority in the marine sciences, being a black and became the 2017 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II woman, having a Ph.D. will allow me to shatter the glass Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program there. ceiling and hopefully move beyond the discriminatory Ambrose drafted a bill to show what a single-use plastic barriers that hold professionals back, because despite ban could mean for The Bahamas as she discovered being capable, we are deemed less than because we don’t how plastics move have letters behind our names.”

“It doesn’t matter where through the marine “Lastly, my academic and life’s journey serves as a goal post environment. In you come from or what for youth from The Bahamas to pursue their dreams at all early 2018, she and cost, knowing that it doesn’t matter where you come from you have, it’s about her students secured or what you have. It’s about honoring the possibilities and a meeting with the honoring the possibilities knowing that you can make your wildest dreams come environmental minister, true,” Ambrose said. and knowing that you and by April of that So, is there anything the rest of can do to make a difference year, he announced can make your wildest for the environment? Absolutely. a ban on single-use plastics like plastic bags, dreams come true.”

“Assess your footprint first,” she said. “What single-use cutlery, straws and

- Kristal Ambrose items are you using a lot, and begin there. Refusing plastic styrofoam, effective July bags and water bottles and swapping them for reusables 2020. are great places to start. And it doesn’t need to be anything In 2020 Ambrose was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize – the world's foremost award honoring grassroots environmental activists – for her work with the BPM. She has been featured in the Sierra Club Magazine and Coastal Living Magazine, where she was named an “Ocean Hero.”

“Being honored at this level is extremely humbling,” Ambrose said. “It’s a reminder to keep going and validation that the work that I’m doing is important, but not by any means a sign to slow down and get comfortable. I’m extremely grateful for the recognition at all levels.”

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GANNON MAGAZINE JUNE 2021

fancy or super expensive. Meet yourself where you are and use what you have.”

“Take a metal utensil from home and keep it in your bag to avoid (single-use plastic) ones. Keep your glass pasta jar and turn it into a cup or food storage container. Say no plastic straw please when you dine out and take a reusable one with you,” Ambrose said.

“The possibilities are endless. You just have to start.”

To learn more about The Bahamas Plastic Movement, visit www.bahamasplasticmovement.org.

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE LIVES

CAPTURING MICRO & MESO-PLASTICS

SIMULATING FLIGHT TO IMPROVE ERGONOMICS

Senior design projects have been a long-standing tradition for engineering and computing students at Gannon.

Students’ final years are a culmination of the skills and knowledge they’ve learned to design, build and present a created product or service.

This tradition was enhanced to advance the College of Engineering and Business’ focus on cross-disciplinary learning, integrating entrepreneurial thinking and career preparation.

“Developing an entrepreneurial mindset is one of our goals,” said Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Business. “During the 2018-19 academic year, we intentionally started providing opportunities and projects that were cross-disciplinary to model the nature of products and processes in industry. Our students are able to experience and understand the importance of bridging fields of study to create a viable and marketable product or process.”

Students and advisers from a sample of this year’s projects have provided first-hand accounts of their learning journeys.

DESIGNING PROSTHETICS TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE

View an expanded photo gallery of these senior design projects at magazine.gannon.edu/June2021

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CAPTURING MICRO & MESO-PLASTICS SIMULATING FLIGHT TO IMPROVE ERGONOMICS DESIGNING PROSTHETICS TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE 8

PROJECT SUMMARY: Create a solar-powered active system

to remove micro- and meso-plastics from water bodies in high-density, urban areas.

STUDENTS:

Olivia Graham ’21, environmental engineering Alexa Howard ’21, environmental engineering Zachary Mansour ’21, electrical and computer engineering Arvin Sharifbaev ’21, mechanical engineering

ADVISER:

Varun Kasaraneni, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental science and engineering

PROJECT SUMMARY: Design an interactive aircraft simulator

to improve pilot ergonomics using sensors, actuators and virtual reality projection built within a helicopter frame on a Stewart platform.

STUDENTS:

Connor Byers ’21, industrial and robotics engineering Kaden Conley ’21, biomedical engineering Mike Eckels ’21, electrical engineering Keefer Gregoire ’21, electrical and computer engineering

ADVISERS: Xiaoxu Ji, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical engineering Davide Piovesan, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical engineering Yong-Kyu Jung, Ph.D., associate professor of electrical and computer engineering

PROJECT SUMMARY: Develop a prosthetic system designed specifically for a dog who lost both rear legs using broad veterinary prosthetic concepts.

STUDENTS:

Julia Baumgarner ’21, biomedical engineering Samantha Moretti ’21, biomedical engineering/ mechanical engineering Emily Schweitzer ’21, biomedical engineering/mechanical engineering Noah Cardella ’21, mechanical engineering

ADVISER:

Scott Steinbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering

GANNON MAGAZINE JUNE 2021

The students had the same goal in mind when they selected this project that stems from their adviser’s research: to be part of something that makes a difference.

“After climate change, plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that needs to be solved,” Kasaraneni said. While technology exists to remove large plastic items from water, not much has been created for microand meso-plastics. Students’ design allows the system to remain in the water until maintenance is needed, making the technology a unique prototype for large-scale efforts in Presque Isle and elsewhere.

“If we can create an active system, you can scale this project up and remove more micro-plastics to make a difference. This isn’t a thing people are doing yet,” Mansour said.

The students designed an eco-friendly and sustainable system using 3D-printed parts, solar panels, electrical units, a clarifier and flotation device. Through trial and error, they brought together a final design that was lab tested in May and will be tested in Lake Erie once the system is completed.

“The interdisciplinary work is a huge factor,” Mansour said.

“In the world we live in, you can’t make something without working with other engineering disciplines.”

“This is why I went into the field,” Howard said. “I want to do good for the environment. It has been fulfilling that I’ve been able to do this at college.”

Students brought their expertise together to build a friendly Microsoft Flight Simulator, as well as experience safe aircraft simulator using a life-size helicopter frame with motion-capture and industry-grade software. previously donated to the University. The students “Working with different types of engineers has helped expanded on the helicopter's research possibilities to build the relationship to understand what they have to do assess ergonomic impact on its operator. and how that’s important to the things I “I’m working on a real-life have to do,” Conley said. “I’m working on This is a task that many vehicle and machinery manufacturers use in the real project and this work that a real-life project and this work that I’m world to improve their operations and doing can be used down the line ... It’s a I’m doing can be used optimize product safety for the pilot or surreal moment for me.” down the line. ... It’s a driver. surreal moment for me.” He and Eckels will further develop The students designed one integrated the flight simulator and provide STEM - Kaden Conley '21 system that combined virtual reality outreach to local schools as they pursue with a platform that models the range of their graduate degrees at Gannon. Byers and Gregoire look motion one would experience while operating an aircraft. forward to applying their experience in their new careers They used their skills in software and circuit design to at Wabtec Corp. and Siemens. write and optimize algorithms to interface with the userWhen Schweitzer attended a Joey’s P.A.W. charity event two years ago, she did not realize the connection she made that day would come full circle into her academic experience to improve the life of a dog named Boone.

Joey’s P.A.W. raises money for special needs dogs to provide prosthetics and wheelchairs and helps those dogs become adopted. Boone came to the charity after his hind legs were severed from abuse. He was adopted by the charity owners, Charlie and Tanya Diable (pictured left).

They evaluated all aspects of the prosthetic, from the structure to the materials to ensure it was best for Boone.

They created several iterations of product design using laser scanning, CAD software and several 3D printers, including a Polyjet printer for the rubber feet and carbon fiber printers for the adjustable pylon that acts as the leg.

The students realized their work was twofold: gaining valuable experience to prepare them for their careers making a difference in the life of a dog in need.

Schweitzer knew she wanted to develop prosthetics when it came time to select her senior design project. “What if we develop prosthetics for a dog in need?” she thought.

“The support shown from the people following this project and our professors has been absolutely amazing,” Cardella said. “It adds a dimension on the emotional side when we The students worked closely with their adviser and the know our project will change a life. It helped us strive to Diables to learn more about Boone’s needs, finding he had create the absolute best solution we can to help Boone.” already tried several prosthetics unsuccessfully.

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S Y A W H T A P G N I G FOR ALTH E H L A B O L G R FO

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought welcome attention to the heroic efforts of health care professionals, including thousands of Gannon University alumni.

We’ve witnessed many of them serving on the frontlines as physicians and nurses, but the pandemic has also shed light on the essential work being done by and urgent need for professionals in other vital disciplines like public health and respiratory care.

“I don’t think public health was on a lot of people’s radar, but the pandemic has opened everyone’s eyes to what we need to do to be better,” said Mary Jean Taylor, Ph.D., who teaches in Gannon’s public health program.

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“I think it is critically important that our next generation of health care professionals have a background in public health. The American Public Health Association has said that we need 100,000 new public health professionals. My generation can only go so far, and we need to go beyond that,” Taylor said.

“I can remember in

COVID-19 cases countywide.

“I can remember in detail the first 20 people in Erie who got it: where they got it, how they got it. I still have the obituaries on my desk. I never met them, never talked to them, but I feel like I knew them,” Carson said.

Carson came to Gannon as a premedicine detail the first 20 major, but One of people in Erie who got (COVID-19). quickly the young changed professionals ... I still have the obituaries on my direction after who has desk. I never met them, never talked she realized answered the her desire call is Lauren to them, but I feel like I knew them.” to focus Carson ’18, - Lauren Carson more on ’20MHA. preventative Carson is an epidemiological health measures. Her adviser investigator at the Erie County suggested that Carson look into Department of Health. the newly established public health program.

Carson began this work in March 2020, just days before the declaration “I hadn’t even heard about public of the pandemic. Immediately, she health, but I thought ‘wow, this is was thrust into a role she could not everything that I’m interested in,’” have anticipated – designing a system Carson said. for tracking and contact tracing Emma Oas followed a similar path to

(L-R) Lauren Carson ’18, ’20MHA, epidemiological investigator, Emma Oas ’21, and Mary Reitinger, RRT, CPFT ’89AS, ’91, assistant professor and chair of the respiratory care program at Gannon.

guest contributer By: John Chacona,

public health.

She arrived at Gannon as undeclared but learned about the public health program from her adviser, Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., now the dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences.

“When I switched to public health, I found all these different avenues that I could explore,” Oas said. “I knew I wanted to communicate with communities about health needs and disparities in health care delivery.”

Her opportunity to do just that came with an internship with Beacon Communities, which operates three senior living facilities in Erie.

Working with Parris Baker ’92, Ph.D., MSSA, director and assistant professor of the social work, mortuary science and gerontology programs, Oas designed an innovative program to assess and respond to the social isolation of residents in two Beacon properties. Modeled on Gannon’s Alternative Break Service Trips and Transforming Residents Abroad Via Engaged Learning, or T.R.A.V.E.L., programs, Oas paired senior residents with Gannon students who planned to travel abroad, essentially a Transforming Erie Residents Via Engaged Learning opportunity.

The pandemic that created the need for Oas’s program ultimately scuttled its implementation, but Oas mapped out a template for the program to follow when travel is again permitted.

Oas hopes to take what she has learned to a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer and eventually to the Peace Corps.

“My ultimate goal is to work in global health,” Oas said. “My stepping stones are to start in Erie, to expand that to the U.S. and eventually globally, to push myself out of my comfort zone.”

Both Oas and Carson were in the initial cohorts of the new public health program. Today, Carson is part of another cohort – in Gannon’s organizational learning and leadership doctoral program. Could teaching be in Lauren Carson’s future? “I’d love it,” she said.

The path from Gannon student to practitioner to teacher is one that Mary Reitinger, RRT, CPFT ’89AS, ’91 has traveled. Reitinger is assistant professor and chair of Gannon’s respiratory care program since last November, bringing 33 years of experiences as a respiratory therapist.

It was a remarkably varied career.

Reitinger has practiced in the areas of trauma care and pulmonary function, sleep disorders and reflated the lungs of pediatric patients that were

deflated in order to perform delicate orthopedic procedures.

“It’s a very exciting field,” Reitinger said. “Respiratory therapists don’t do the same thing every day. One day, you might be in the ER, the next in intensive care or the neonatal unit.

You never know what you’re going to need to do, and that’s why I look for students with initiative and leadership.

You can’t be shy in this field.”

Reitinger is now using her experiences to prepare Gannon students for similar, meaningful career paths in diagnosing, treating and preventing respiratory illnesses in patients across settings.

Students entering the career field will be met with an abundance of job opportunities – many of which have been created with the expansion of intensive care units to accommodate patients with COVID-19.

Many scientists now predict that the virus will be with us for a long time – perhaps as a seasonal affliction, like the flu.

But keeping this deadly virus in check and preventing the kind of mass health crisis from which we only now seem to be emerging will require the commitment of thousands of medical professionals, the heroes of the future.

You will find them in the classrooms and laboratories of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences today. #GANNONFAMILY 11

"GANNON GAVE ME, AS IT HAS GIVEN YOU, THE FOUNDATION NEEDED TO ENTER THE WORLD AS A PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUAL...MORE IMPORTANTLY, I LEARNED HOW TO LEARN, HOW TO ADAPT, TO THINK QUICKLY, AND HOW TO APPLY MYSELF TO WHATEVER I WANTED TO DO WITH CONFIDENCE. NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF. NEVER QUIT ON YOURSELF. JUST BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND TACKLE LIFE AND YOUR FUTURE WITH PASSION." -HARRY HAIRSTON ’77 "TAKE A LOOK BACK DOWN THE ROAD OF GRADUATE SCHOOL TO WHERE YOU’RE SEATED NOW. SHOWING UP TODAY WAS THE EASY PART. SHOWING UP EVERY DAY DURING GRADUATE SCHOOL WAS THE DIFFICULT PART. SHOWING UP TO LEARN EACH DAY IN A PANDEMIC AND ADAPTING TO ALL THAT CAME WITH IT – THAT IS THE MENTALITY FUTURE EMPLOYERS...WILL BE BLESSED TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF." -JULIE KLEBER ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN "GANNON GAVE ME, AS IT HAS GIVEN YOU, THE FOUNDATION NEEDED TO ENTER THE WORLD AS A PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUAL...MORE IMPORTANTLY, I LEARNED HOW TO LEARN, HOW TO ADAPT, TO THINK QUICKLY, AND HOW TO APPLY MYSELF TO WHATEVER I WANTED TO DO WITH CONFIDENCE. NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF. NEVER QUIT ON YOURSELF. JUST BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND TACKLE LIFE AND YOUR FUTURE WITH PASSION." -HARRY HAIRSTON ’77 "TAKE A LOOK BACK DOWN THE ROAD OF GRADUATE SCHOOL TO WHERE YOU’RE SEATED NOW. SHOWING UP TODAY WAS THE EASY PART. SHOWING UP EVERY DAY DURING GRADUATE SCHOOL WAS THE DIFFICULT PART. SHOWING UP TO LEARN EACH DAY IN A PANDEMIC AND ADAPTING TO ALL THAT CAME WITH IT – THAT IS THE MENTALITY FUTURE EMPLOYERS...WILL BE BLESSED TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF." -JULIE KLEBER ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN

WITH HONORS

Harry Hairston ’77, a retired senior investigative reporter for NBC10 Philadelphia, and Julie Kleber ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN, an oncology nurse at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, received honorary doctoral degrees from Gannon University and delivered the keynote addresses during our Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies.

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Their messages were met by 896 members of the Class of 2021, inspiring our graduates as they continue their journeys into the world.

HARRY HAIRSTON ’77, retired senior

investigative reporter for NBC10 Philadelphia, spent his career harnessing the power of reporting to give voices to the voiceless.

JULIE KLEBER ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN, has

navigated a successful 10-year career as an oncology nurse at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center through her passion to serve others.

The first in his family to attend college, Hairston said he felt “I’ve known since I was 16 that I wanted to be a nurse,” terrified as an incoming freshman but determined to take Kleber said. “My mom, who is also a nurse, and my advantage of all Gannon had to offer. grandmother, who was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, emphasized the importance of serving others through their “Gannon University offered an extraordinary education,” actions.

I would accompany my grandmother to numerous Hairston said of his experience. “It gave me the opportunity to grow and develop while at the same time challenging my volunteer endeavors and saw how genuine she was.” intellect.”

Those experiences and a love for science drew Kleber to After graduating, Hairston became a weather anchor in Erie, Gannon, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2011. Kleber said her time at Gannon only reinforced that despite friends doubting his abilities. spirit of caring.

“That’s when I learned what Gannon University had instilled in me: never doubt yourself. Always believe in yourself and “Gannon gave me a supportive community,” Kleber said.

“You need people in your corner that will lift you up when question those who find a need to doubt you,” Hairston challenges arise and celebrate your accomplishments with said. you. I strive to lead by example with this mindset and do This mentality led Hairston to a position with WICU- TV the same for my team.” in Erie, before advancing to become a crime reporter in Following graduation, Kleber became an oncology nurse Tampa Bay, and later an investigative reporter and anchor on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Memorial Sloan in Detroit.

Kettering Cancer Center in New York City in 2011. In In 2004, he took a position doing local reports with 2013, she was one of the nurses who treated “Good NBC10 Philadelphia and reports for MSNBC and the Today Morning America’s” Robin Roberts in the Bone Marrow Show and was promoted to investigative reporter.

Unit, appearing in a special broadcast as Roberts returned to work and thanked her nursing team.

During his career with NBC10, Hairston covered some of the city's biggest stories. He was the first to report on Kleber also played an essential role in coordinating her the sexual misconduct allegations against Bill Cosby in unit’s COVID-19 response while continuing to care for 2015. His reporting also heavily influenced New Jersey’s cancer patients. She shared these experiences with Gannon anti-swatting laws, led to stronger accountability in students and nursing faculty during the virtual Villa Maria Philadelphia’s City Hall following tax corruption, and School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series in a resulted in conviction of culprits in a candy box scam. He presentation titled “Lessons from the Bedside: Adaptability also led an investigative unit called NBC Responds that and Intentionality.” helped viewers with consumer issues gain back more than Kleber is pursuing her master’s in nursing leadership and $1 million. healthcare systems from the University of Colorado and is a Hairston received several Mid-Atlantic Emmy® awards and proud member of the Gannon University National Alumni was named “Journalist of the Year” by the Philadelphia Board of Directors since 2017.

Association of Black Journalists in 2011.

In her free time, Kleber enjoys traveling, pursuing health A Pittsburgh native, Hairston participates in community and wellness, and sampling delicious varieties of cheese. causes around heart disease, cancer research, mental Kleber shared her advice to students, saying that “it is health research and education, diversity and community important to put yourself in new situations. Gannon improvement, and support of first responders. His hobbies ... is your training ground for life, and there are many include golfing, tennis and riding motorcycles. uncomfortable situations that will happen post-graduation.

Hairston shared a lesson he learned in his career that he This will help inspire and fuel you while also allowing you said is valuable for graduating students. to develop the habits that will cement your foundation of life.”

“There are no small tasks. There are no small jobs, only people with small minds. Think big about everything you do and stay positive. Find your passion and you will never, To view video of this year’s ever work a day in your life,” he said.

(Left) Julie Kleber ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN, Ruskin campus Commencement speaker (Right) Harry Hairston ’77, Erie campus Commencement speaker

commencement addresses, visit magazine.gannon.edu/June2021

#GANNONFAMILY 13

DELIVERING A

EDUCAT I N Quyen Aoh, associate professor of biology at Gannon, said she believes students who are frequently exposed to STEM learning outside of the formal classroom are likelier to stay engaged in STEM fields.

But small urban cities like Erie often have limited availability of these informal science, technology, engineering and math learning environments.

mobilize community assets and coordinate resources that support students and their families and remove barriers to learning for success in and out of the school in conjunction with United Way, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Erie’s Public Schools.

As part of the initiative, the team designed and created interactive STEM learning activities to be delivered in STEM kits to more than 70 students at both Strong Vincent Middle School and East Middle School.

necessarily what you would have just laying around.”

The kits provided resources to students to teach them specifically about environmental sustainability.

As part of this, students built a bird house using upcycled water bottles, egg cartons and other material with complimentary educational pamphlets.

They also built and tested the power output of renewable energy devices including a wind turbine, water wheel and solar panel, and tested the acidity of melted snow using a carbon filter. Through a familyoriented activity, students also used GUBotDev 3D-printed coins to “invest” into 10 different green technologies to simulate real-world investments.

That’s why Aoh’s Feeding Minds and Families initiative and Gannon University’s Robotics Development, or “Kids at these GUBotDev – including Gannon Lab Engineer Nick Devine and mechanical ages (11-14) are naturally engineering graduate student curious and Christopher Devine – have teamed up and volunteers of the initiative to bring STEM learning directly to the love to tinker,” Leaders Aoh said each activity package STEM kits to be delivered Aoh said. “But homes of many of Erie’s urban youth. incorporates multiple to students. doing STEM fields like engineering, As a lead partner of Strong Vincent for fun sometimes requires a little environmental science and chemistry Middle School, Gannon helps to instruction and supplies that aren’t “to show students how STEM is 14

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integral to so many different parts of society.” This is the third STEM kit delivery since Summer 2020.

The kits also break down barriers for who can participate in STEM learning and who can not, Aoh said.

“The City of Erie is considered an underserved area and the demographics of the school district are highly underrepresented in the STEM fields in general,” Aoh said.

“There is not a lot of racial diversity in many of the STEM fields. On a national level, that’s something that many people are looking for is to provide access and inclusion into STEM fields, so this is our effort to help all of our students see that STEM can be for them, too.”

through GO College and donations through Erie Insurance via the Pennsylvania Education Initiative Tax Credits.

Aoh said the after-school program was going strong early last spring but had to be canceled at the onset of the pandemic. The program typically includes hands-on activities followed by a family meal with local leaders in STEM fields.

“With the uncertainty of the upcoming year, I wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to continue that program.

However, we wanted to find a way to continue to support informal STEM learning for youth in these schools,” Aoh said of the decision to launch the STEM kit delivery initiative.

Aoh began her research measuring the impact of informal STEM activities through a Cooney-Jackman Endowed Professorship in partnership with ErieGAINS in 2011.

GUBotDev supports STEM“If we can inspire any of related projects, these students with our outreach and research both 3D printers, drones or within Gannon these fun STEM activity and the Erie community, so kits, we are happy and Christopher In 2018, she launched Devine said his proud to do so.”

Feeding Minds and Families as an after- Christopher Devine group has always been happy to school program to partner with groups like Feeding create interest in STEM fields among Minds and Families.

Strong Vincent Middle School students through initial funding from the American Society for Cell Biology’s new Public Engagement grants. It has since been funded through a Department of Education Supplemental STEM grant awarded

“All of the members of our group were inspired to be in the STEM field at some point growing up, so if we can inspire any of these students with our 3D printers, drones or these fun STEM activity kits, we are happy and proud

to do so,” Devine said.

The initiative also garnered support from community members including Andrew Sipple, an AmeriCorp VISTA with Lake Effect Leaders hired through Erie-GAINS, Maile Chang, a senior biology and secondary education student and research assistant at Gannon, and Taylor Ryan, a senior biology student. Erie Bank, Erie Insurance, the Presque Isle Audobon Society, and GO College also sponsored the initiative through monetary and material contributions.

Barbara Priestap, director of GO College, said Gannon’s biology and engineering departments have been collaborating with GO College for the past four or five years to provide engaging activities for students including 3D printing, constructing robots, building fold-scope microscopes, and collecting water samples on Gannon’s Environaut.

“These types of collaborative events create inspiring and educational opportunities for our students,” Priestap said. “The support and creative effort that Gannon faculty and staff provides us truly changes the trajectory of our students’ lives.”

(L-R) The STEM kits provided resources to teach kids about specific STEM-related topics.

Andrew Sipple, an AmeriCorp VISTA with Lake Effect Leaders, delivers a STEM kit to a local student.

A student enjoys an interactive activity provided in a STEM kit.

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A before and after view of the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel as seen during the Mass and Rite of Dedication in April (Top) and during the December 2018 Baccalaureate Mass (Bottom).

a sacred

Inside the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, a new altar can be found stationed as the centerpiece of the sanctuary, a scene of the Last Supper engraved in its warm oak base. It is perhaps the most symbolic of elements found in the Chapel, and just one of many changes seen after significant renovations transformed the building, said Father Michael T. Kesicki '83, chaplain and associate vice president for University Mission and Ministry.

In a historic Mass and Rite of Dedication ceremony presided by The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. on April 18, the University formally re-opened the Chapel after renovations enhanced it as a longstanding place of worship and prayer to inspire students, colleagues, alumni and friends in their faith journeys.

“This will be a significant gathering space for many,” Kesicki said. “The Chapel creates an opportunity for people to learn, ask questions, search and whatever else helps them in their journeys of faith. It is a witness in the community, a symbol of truth and faith in downtown Erie, and a symbol of who Gannon is and our presence, leadership and faith in the community.”

Possibly the most stunning of renovations is seen in the reimagined sanctuary, 1 which Monsignor Robert L. Brugger ’62, a longtime priest in the Catholic Diocese of Erie and a trustee of the University, said “calls us to a noble beauty to bring us into fully sacred celebrations of God’s saving care for us all.”

Kesicki also described the sanctuary as having a “warmth and elegance,” thanks to its new wooden accents and pews.

Light now pours in from outside through the sanctuary’s stainedglass windows after two conjoined

buildings – the Student Services The Crucifix 4 hangs above the Building and the Pontifical Center – tabernacle, 6 its larger-than-life were demolished oak figure of Jesus “(The Chapel) is a to make way for communicating a renovations. 2 The witness in the community, theological message of windows were his sacrifice on the cross. a symbol of truth and designed by Erie The figure was carved by faith in downtown artist John Vahanian an artist in Pittsburgh Erie, and a symbol of and dedicated to and gifted to the Monsignor Addison University in the 1990s. who Gannon is and our Yehl by the Delta presence, leadership and Kesicki said the statue Sigma Phi alumni was recently repainted on Oct. 1, 1993 as a faith in the community” to enhance its intricate - Fr. Michael Kesicki details and placed on a source of artistic and religious inspiration newly constructed cross. and reflection for the Gannon The Chapel also includes a fellowship community. hall to welcome students following The altar – a sacred structure on Mass, during reserved group events, which the Eucharist is celebrated – is or simply between classes to study. centered at the front of the sanctuary The fellowship hall – Kraus Hall – is with the tabernacle resting behind it to named for Dean Gerald R. Kraus and reserve the Blessed Sacrament. 3 The his wife, Beatrice Kraus ’34VMC, from ambo, an oak podium that depicts the a generous gift by his son Gerald A. four Gospel writers and from where Kraus, Ph.D. ’64 and Ann R. Kraus. 5 the Word of God is read, sits at its right. #GANNONFAMILY 17

A hallmark feature of the newly renovated narthex is a stained-glass panel, “Gratitude.” It was conceived and crafted by local artisan Donna Styborski Reese and commissioned in 2020 to serve as part of a recognition wall highlighting donors who contributed to the campaign for the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel. 7 The Chapel also now has a stateof-the-art audio-visual system for events, a courtyard reflection garden, a restored Sacristy, more restrooms, a kitchen and a parking lot.

Brent Heckman, director of Campus Ministry at Gannon, was one of several team members from across the University and community who helped plan the reconstructed Chapel.

Heckman said the University had envisioned a chapel that would be “an inviting place to worship, pray and build a faith community.”

“There needed to be a sense that the Chapel was sacred, inviting, warm and welcoming and would be a place that people would want to come to,” Heckman said.

The Chapel’s reopening has already evoked faith-filled emotions for many, including Emily Muntean, resident campus minister and retreat coordinator at Gannon.

“We have a chapel now that is evocative of the sacred and you feel that when you walk in it helps you pray and invites you into the liturgy.

For the students who have been wandering around for two years (during renovations), it feels like a homecoming and it gives you a deep sense of gratitude,” Muntean said.

Heckman also said he felt a change on campus. “We had Mass Sunday night after the reopening ceremony, and there was so much enthusiasm. The volume of singing was incredible. You could feel the difference of being in the Chapel,” he said.

Student Phillip Vargo ’20, ’21M participated in the Mass and Rite of 18

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Dedication ceremony and said he is excited about the Chapel’s reopening.

Thanks to a lead gift by Msgr.

Brugger, a $2 million campaign was launched to help fund renovations “The Chapel has long served as a to this important campus landmark. place to gather, pray and engage in Over the next several fellowship. I believe “The (Chapel) is a months, more than 200 that the Chapel’s donors contributed to gorgeous place that we presence will help the campaign to help to restore a sense of have invested our heart enhance the Chapel’s peace and comfort and soul into because it’s appearance and to so many of us the heart and soul amenities to provide who have struggled a spiritual home for of who we are as a amid the difficulties Gannon family and of being college Catholic university.” friends to grow in their students, as well - Keith Taylor, Ph.D. faith walks. as the challenges brought forth by the ongoing pandemic,” Vargo said.

Vargo, who was confirmed in the Chapel in 2018, said he made it a point to visit the Chapel several times before the semester concluded.

“I wanted to make sure that I maximize the time that I have left in Erie at the place that has meant the most to me,” he said.

The beginnings of a Christian church on the site go back to 1860, when the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church dedicated a brick edifice with a towering steeple. That original building was partially destroyed by fire in 1920 and not fully restored until 1940. A second fire in 1944 completely destroyed the building.

The present church was built in 1950. Its congregation merged with the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in January of 1981 and is now the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant on West Sixth Street.

Gannon University purchased the property that year with a vision of continuing the church as the University Chapel. The Chapel was dedicated on Oct. 8, 1989 by The Most Rev. Michael J. Murphy.

The University announced plans to renovate the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel after it closed again in mid2019 due to a gas leak that was discovered below the Chapel.

“These donors definitely recognize that our faith is our cornerstone of our mission and also symbolic of their own faith,” said Almitra Clerkin ’85, ’17M, associate vice president for University Advancement, who spearheaded the campaign.

Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., emphasized the Chapel as an important symbol of Gannon’s identity as a Catholic institution.

“The (Chapel) is a gorgeous place that we have invested our heart and soul into because it’s the heart and soul of who we are as a Catholic university,” Taylor said. “Our ability to come together as a Catholic community in a Catholic institution is important to who we are. Whether we’re there to celebrate daily and weekly masses or the birth of Christ, it will be a place that moves us as an institution when we walk into it, and the aesthetic in the building will be moving and powerful.”

View an exclusive welcome video and photo gallery of the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel at magazine.gannon.edu/June2021

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY AND JOIN GANNON FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE DONATED MORE THAN $1.9 MILLION Visit www.gannon.edu/chapel

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Gannon student Victoria Bartlett was faced with a cybersecurity breach after a malicious code was injected into one of her apps, exposing personal information.

Gannon student Victoria Bartlett seated in the Cyber Attack Lab in Gannon's I-HACK building.

Bartlett was not concerned. She had hacked it herself.

The real concern for her and the rest of us lies in data that shows a dramatic increase in such cyberattacks as a result of an increasingly technological world and a shift to remote working and learning.

Gannon University is on the forefront of training the next generation of networking talent to tackle these concerns.

The University formally opened its 100,000-square-foot Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, or I-HACK, during a dedication and blessing ceremony on Feb. 19. The ceremony marked the culmination of phase one of the University’s transformation of a former call center into a place where students will work with leaders in business to design, integrate and protect cybernetic intelligence and data systems worldwide.

a brute

(I-)HA

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e force:

ACKing it #GANNONFAMILY 21

“It’s really exciting to be in I-HACK. It’s a great space for learning as all the equipment is brand-new, and the classrooms are created with my major in mind,” said Bartlett, a sophomore in the cybersecurity program.

Gannon’s $13 million investment into phase one of the project developed the exterior of the facility, 1 first-floor lobby, and the second-floor Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center.

As part of the renovations, students now enter I-HACK through a firstfloor lobby area featuring a glassenclosed student gathering space and a nine-screen TV wall display that previews the type of technology outfitted throughout the building. 2 An iconic steel-framed staircase leads to the second-floor Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center – also known as the academic heart of I-HACK. 3 This educational space houses classrooms, open collaborative spaces, 8 faculty offices and new cutting-edge laboratories, where students are learning how to design technology and deploy tactics to prevent and protect against cyberattacks. These are known as the Cyber Defense Lab, 7 Cyber Attack Lab 6 and Cyber Innovation Lab. 4

the fields of cybersecurity, cyber engineering, health care, computerbased applications, business management and criminal justice.

Bartlett is one of 39 students enrolled in Gannon’s undergraduate and graduate cyber programs as of spring 2021.

how they work. Next, she pulled malicious code from a website and embedded it into the app’s coding, breaching important information like user location and activity.

“It wasn’t all theory.

We built an app and used it on real phones and devices. We only used a couple lines of code to hack it... this is something that does happen.”

“To have hands-on experience with this was so cool,” Bartlett said. “It wasn’t all theory. We built an app and used it on real phones and devices. We only used a couple lines of code to hack it, so it was scary. But this is something that does happen.”

“I’ve always been curious about computers and - Victoria Bartlett troubleshooting It happens so often, in fact, and solving problems,” Bartlett said. that a recent KPMG study reported “The courses I read about at Gannon that the technology skills shortage is at was when I really felt excited about its highest level since 2008. A further possibly pursuing cybersecurity.” report by Cyber Seek emphasizes the cybersecurity gap across the country Bartlett became one of the first with more than 464,000 current students to learn in I-HACK’s job openings across the nation with Cyber Attack Lab – a space where 14,413 of those being in Pennsylvania. students employ and deploy ethical hacking techniques in a controlled environment to simulate and study real-world attacks – through her mobile security and implementation course this spring.

“It’s about how to develop android applications with security in mind and then looking at how those apps can The Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning be exploited through various attacks,” Center advances educational training Bartlett said of the course. and technology development to Using Android Studio, Bartlett built enhance cyber defense across several Android apps to understand

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Gannon’s venture into the cyber industry will train students with the digital skills needed to meet these indemand careers, and that also involves partnering with leading industry talent like Extreme Networks.

Extreme Networks will be housed in the third-floor Hatchery this fall, but students like Travis Newcamp 5 have already experienced the impact of this business partnership.

Newcamp, a 2021 graduate of

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Gannon’s information systems program, is one of 14 Gannon students who became the first in the country to earn industry-specific certifications through Gannon’s partnership with Extreme Networks.

The certifications are embedded into Gannon’s academic curriculum so students and aspiring IT professionals can earn industry certifications as they complete their courses, learning topics like networking, security, cloud learning, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The training is valued at thousands of dollars but comes at no additional cost to students.

“As a student, we have all decided to pursue a greater education that distinguishes ourselves from the rest of the job pool,” Newcamp said of his decision to complete the training. He’s already differentiated himself in the job market, using his education and credentials to secure a career in his field before graduation.

Newcamp said the certificate will benefit him in his new technical role.

“Knowing how information travels is extremely important in troubleshooting different kinds of machines. We all have phones, laptops and other machines, and learning how they communicate is so important.

(This certification) sets me and my colleagues apart because it conveys a

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stronger desire to learn and improve ourselves.” “(This) program helps individuals gain real-world skills for today’s digital economy,” said Susantha Herath, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Engineering and Business.

“Students get the opportunity to gain networking or IT knowledge using an interactive and immersive learning environment.”

As part of phase two, the University will continue developing I-HACK’s upper floors for additional business partners and to create commercial space and data storage capabilities that will create new jobs and regional workforce and business development opportunities.

In total, Gannon anticipates renovations to I-HACK to cost $28 million.

Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., dean of the Bartlett said she hopes to capitalize College of Engineering and Business, on this investment to secure a future said it is inspiring to “witness the career in cybersecurity education or impact that elevating our academic cyber forensics. excellence, and this facility and the “I see myself at a company that is resources accompanied with it are dedicated to helping people stay having on our students as they prepare secure and data remain private. I plan for their future careers.” to always keep learning and adapting “Cybersecurity is quickly becoming a to future technologies and policies,” component of all aspects of life. This Bartlett said. “It is inspiring to think facility provides the opportunity about all of the possibilities.” for students across multiple majors to gain a basic knowledge and View an exclusive photo gallery understanding of cybersecurity to and a virtual tour of I-HACK at magazine.gannon.edu/June2021 apply to the work in their fields, providing a competitive edge as they enter the job market,” Vernaza said.

As the global call to meet the critical demand for highly skilled cyber professionals is heard, Gannon will continue to invest heavily into the futures of students through I-HACK resources and expanding academic opportunities.

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Travis Newcamp ’21 showcases his newly earned Extreme Networks certification. #GANNONFAMILY 23

THE COMEBACK TEAM By: David Rung, director of athletics media relations

When the school-record eight national qualifiers from the Gannon men’s wrestling team were gathered together on the eve of competition in March of 2020, they had an inkling of what was coming.

The 2020 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships – like nearly every other sporting event – ground to a halt and was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While eight athletes were underclassmen slated to return in 2020-21, they still felt like there was unfinished business, as the cancellation brought a recordscratching pause to the rapidly rising trajectory of the program.

(L) Men’s wrestler Alex Farenchak, sophomore, became the program’s first national finalist since 2011.

(Below) Gannon men’s wrestling earned titles at the NCAA Division II Super Region 1 tournament.

Their season would end with a pile of records, program firsts and trophies.

Again, eight Golden Knights qualified for the national tournament with six individuals winning regional titles on the way to the program’s first regional team title.

would go on to place ninth in the country, highlighted by three AllAmericans and the program’s first national finalist since 2011 in redshirt sophomore Alex Farenchak.

“We knew we had something special just because the guys were anxious to get out there and wrestle,” said Henry, This time, on the eve of the national who wrapped up his 37th season in championships, the team gathered charge of the program. “We had to to hear great news as Head Men's go in with the attitude that we were Wrestling Coach Don Henry was going to do everything we had to do, named the NCAA Division II National get tested as many times as we needed It proved to only be temporary though, Coach of the Year. His wrestlers to, follow all the procedures, and train as a year later the Golden Knights put a cap on one of the most successful seasons in team history.

“We knew we could have a really great team this year, and we were just hoping to be able to showcase it,” senior 133-pounder Jacob Dunlop said. “We knew there would be uncertainty. That weight was always on our shoulders, but we were always ready to wrestle.”

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Standout Performances from Our Golden Knights All 24 Gannon athletics teams officially competed during the 2020-21 academic year. Despite the unusual circumstances, the Golden Knights still produced noteworthy performances:

Gannon men’s wrestling returned to the mat for one of the most successful seasons in team history.

our butts off just for the opportunity.”

That cancellation of the 2020 championships was only the start of an up-and-down, start-and-stop year for the Golden Knights, and all of Gannon’s athletics teams.

champions of each weight class at regionals were guaranteed a spot. But Gannon didn’t leave much to chance, putting all 10 individuals into the title bouts. Six won titles, easily setting a new program record, and two more earned at-large bids to nationals.

Men’s wrestling began in-season In St. Louis at a convention practices at their normal earlycenter used to maximize space October date, only to see early season for competitors, six of Gannon’s tournaments canceled and planned qualifiers reached dual-meet competition the quarterfinal come and go without “We had to go in with the round, and a getting on the mat in attitude that we were thrilling semifinal the first semester. win in overtime at going to do everything 165 pounds made That chance finally we had to do, get tested Farenchak just came in January, just the fourth Golden under six weeks before as many times as we Knight to compete the scheduled start needed to, follow all the in the finals. of the postseason.

The Knights faced procedures, and train And for the off against Division I second straight opponents in Kent State our butts off just for the year, Gannon and Edinboro with will have more opportunity.” another Division I dual than a handful of - Don Henry against Buffalo canceled returning national and looked to maximize their limited qualifiers when the 2021-22 season competition dates. gets underway in the fall, setting the stage for continued success.

“We actually wound up being one of the teams that had wrestled the “We’re super excited to have pretty most matches in our region,” Henry much everyone coming back,” said. “We maximized the matches we Farenchak said. “I know all my could get against the best competition teammates are working just as hard we could get, and we made sure as I did, but now they know that they that everyone on the team that was can really go into nationals and do practicing got a match, and that was it. We’ve had a bunch of great years the goal. The bonus was wrestling at recently, but if there’s going to be a regionals.” year to top them all, this is going to be it.”

When the postseason did arrive, the Knights made the most of it. Due to a reduced field at nationals, only the

Men’s wrestling finished ninth at the NCAAs with three All-Americans.

Coach Don Henry was named National Coach of the Year, and the team won its first regional title.

Women’s basketball ranked in the top 10 in the country in the D2SIDA poll, finishing the year 13-1 and on the cusp of another national tournament berth.

Women’s wrestling hosted the first regional tournament for NCAA schools and finished 10th at nationals with three All-Americans.

Women’s swimming saw Silvija Taraska qualify in three NCAA Championships, finishing in the country’s top 25 in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle.

Volleyball achieved its highest national ranking in program history at No. 8 during its 16-0 regular season.

Men’s and women’s crosscountry teams crushed their PSAC Championships bests, with women tying for third and men finishing fifth.

Men’s basketball finished the season 10-4 and rose to No. 21 in the national rankings.

Men’s water polo finished its season 7-2 overall and reached the conference championship game for the second consecutive season.

Acrobatics and tumbling team finished its first undefeated season at 6-0 and ranked No. 5 in the country.

Cheer and dance’s four teams competed nationally; all tied or bettered the highest finish in program history.

Women’s golf won its second consecutive PSAC championship and sophomore Maria Arenas won the individual title by one stroke. #GANNONFAMILY 25

JOHN C. SKUCE and his wife, Judy, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married on Feb. 11, 1961 and have been inseparable since they went on their first date in 1959. The couple has not lost their joy and love for each other and have faithfully lived out the vows they made six decades ago.

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RICHARD E. GRIFFITH was awarded the 2020 Commitment to Erie Legacy Award. Griffith is president of Rick Griffith Properties and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park.

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PATRICK S. SHINGLETON retired after more than 45 years in weather forecasting. He most recently worked as the chief weather forecaster for Baton Rouge WBRZ. A 1968 Riverside High School graduate, Shingleton was also deeply committed to his community. He is the chairman of the board for WBRZ’s “Pat’s Coats for Kids.” He developed the concept for the St. Vincent De Paul Society’s Community Pharmacy, creating the “Fill a Prescription for the Needy” project. Shingleton also originated Baton Rouge’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, “The Wearin’ of the Green,” in 1986 and continues to be the parade’s coordinator. The mayor of Baton Rouge declared Jan. 29 as Pat Shingleton Day in his honor.

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C. THOMAS BENSON was selected as an inaugural member of the Erie County Community College Board of Trustees. Benson is the director of training for J.L. Nick & Associates and a former consultant with Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center.

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ANNE (DEWEY) MCCALLION was appointed to the Board of Directors of both Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and Pacific Mercantile Bank. McCallion has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

She worked for the Bank of America Corp. for more than 17 years, holding

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Join us for a hybrid experience of in-person and virtual events for alumni, families and friends.

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ELISABETH “BETSY” (ROEBACK) MONSALVE VMC joined the Gannon University Board of Trustees, effective July 2020. Monsalve recently retired from McManis & Monsalve Associates of Erie, where she was the director.

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LUTHER R. MANUS, JR. ’71M was honored by the Erie City Council with Oct. 10 being named Luther Manus Day. Erie Arts & Culture also commissioned local artists Antonio Howard and Ceasar Westbrook to design and paint a mural featuring a collage of images that recognizes pivotal moments in Manus’s life.

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SHARE YOUR NEWS LET US KNOW WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO! Submit a class note at www.gannonalumni.org positions in fianance and operations.

Following that, McCallion worked at PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust as its chief financial officer from 2009 to 2016 before advancing to chief enterprise operations officer from 2017 to 2019. MacCallion has also served on the Board of Directors for PennyMac Financial Services Inc. since 2018.

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DIANA (MARCHIBRODA) MANILLA, D.D.S. retired in September from her 40-year career in dentistry, where she served hundreds of patients.

RICHARD G. ORLANDO, M.D. and his wife, Cynthia, established the Orlando Biomedical Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching Endowment at Gannon University with a $250,000 gift. The Orlandos established the endowment to provide funding for educational experiences that will enrich current and future Gannon students’ understanding of ethical considerations related to the care for human life. Orlando is a member of Gannon University’s Board of Trustees and retired president of Columbus Ophthalmology Associates.

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HARRY HAIRSTON III retired from NBC10 after 17 years as an investigative reporter in the Philadelphia region.

Hairston has won multiple Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards for his work and in 2011 was named “Journalist of the Year” by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists.

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NANCY L. (MURRAY) HOGAN, PH.D. was added to Marquis Who's Who, a collection of 1.6 millionplus biographies of accomplished individuals from around the world.

Hogan is a professor of criminal justice and corrections at Ferris State University and celebrates nearly 25 years of teaching and supervision at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Among other honors, Hogan was recognized by Ferris State University as an Outstanding Faculty Member and was presented a 2017 Academic Scholar Award by the provost in support of her ongoing research and contribution to the scholarship on criminal justice.

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ANTHONY “TONY” V. FULGENZIO ’10M began his third year in November as vice president of advancement at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

Prior to that he worked for Gannon for 17 years in University Advancementt, most recently as executive director of philanthropy and communications.

CHERYL (RUSH) DIX ’07C was selected as an inaugural member of the Erie County Community College Board of Trustees. Dix is the co-founder of STEM Equity Alliance, an examiner with Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence, and chief consultant with Pathlight Associates, LLC.

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FRANK J. CORAPI ’89M was promoted to the rank of full professor at Jamestown Community College.

He began teaching at Jamestown Community College in 2002 and became a full-time assistant professor of psychology in 2006. He is also currently the director of the psychology department and the social science division.

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MICHAEL A. MCCLAIN, a longtime commercial airline pilot, spent his 59th birthday flying the NFL’s Kanses City Chiefs to Super Bowl LV. McClain had the opportunity to pilot

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Gannon Welcomes New National Alumni Board Members Gannon University welcomed its newest members to the National Alumni Board. These members provide leadership for the Gannon University Alumni Association, meeting quarterly to align priorities with the strategic plan of the University to engage and represent alumni in the decision-making processes.

Members begin their three-year term in June.

New National Alumni Board members include: • Whitney Blankenship ’18OTD: Blankenship is an acute care occupational therapist at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. She graduated from Gannon University’s Ruskin campus. 1 • Rich “Kuj” Kujawinski ’73: Kujawinski is the retired president of The Pegasus Group in New York City. He and his wife, Joanne, currently reside in New Jersey. 2 To learn more or get involved with the Alumni Association, visit www.gannonalumni.org. the flight through his employer, United Airlines, where he has worked since 1997. Throughout his aviation career, McClain has flown the Chicago Cubs, Barack Obama prior to his presidency, actor Matt Damon, and journalist Geraldo Rivera, among others. McClain and his wife spend their time together in their homes in Cincinnati and Ridgway.

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REV. SHAWN J. CLERKIN, AOJN was voted Best Local Actor in the 2020 Best of Erie awards. Clerkin worked as Gannon University’s director of liberal studies from 2017 and 2020 and is the co-director and associate professor of the School of Communication and the Arts. He is also a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

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DARIN M. SUTTON is a systems test engineer for Spang Power Electronics, which is a division of Spang & Company.

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RICHARD C. SHOPENE retired as chief of police in Corry, Pa. after a 30-year career in the police service.

Shopene received a City of Corry Proclamation and a Pennsylvania Senate Citation, as well as an Erie County Council citation and a resolution declaring Oct. 24 – the day of his retirement – to be Shopene Day.

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STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR GANNON FAMILY View our virtual events at gannonalumni.org/events

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ADRIENNE M. DIXON, PH.D, '90M, '08PH.D was named president and CEO of Sarah A. Reed Children's Center. Dixon has been making a difference at Sarah Reed for 32 years.

She previously served as the agency’s associate vice president of Residential and Community Services for the past 18 years. Dixon has more than 35 years of clinical experience as a professional counselor and administrator.

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PAUL E. SHIELDS, D.O. joined Absolut Care of Aurora Park on Oct. 1, 2020. Sheilds is affiliated with Great Lakes Health Systems and is a general physician who holds more than 20 years in the medical field.

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RYAN J. LYNCH, D.O. ’98M, ’99M was named a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists. Lynch is a neurologist for LECOM Health.

Candidates for an ACN fellowship are nominated by two current fellows and reviewed by the ACN Board of Governors. Fellows must be board certified and serve the American College of Neurologists and Psychiatrists in some capacity.

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JASON AMORY was promoted from game warden in Crawford County to information and education supervisor with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northwest Region.

VERONICA C. (VEZZANI) DORSCH, M.D. joined Butler Health System Primary Care. She completed an internship in general surgery at the Madigan Army Medical Center and a family practice residency at Heritage Valley Health System. Dorsch brings more than 20 years of experience to BHS. She was commander of the 31st Medical Detachment in Operation Joint Endeavor and was awarded the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

CHRISTOPHER J. DEFLITCH, M.D. spoke about COVID-19 in the leadup of Governer Tom Wolf’s Dec. 9, 2020 press conference. Deflitch is the vice president and chief medical information officer for Hershey Medical Center.

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CHERIE M. (KRYSIAK) THIERMAN was named chief financial officer and client accounting specialist at Evident Financial LLC, an Erie-based investment advisory firm.

SCOTT E. MILLER, D.B.A. served on the judging panel for the 2020 Commitment to Erie Awards. Miller currently serves as the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Business for Edinboro Univeristy.

New Titles from your Gannon Family ALAN M. SWIGONSKI '77, '05M Erie Baseball and Softball 360, VO 1 CARA M. (DIALESANDRO) REINARD ’02 Sweet Water Thomas & Mercer CYNDIE J. (FILUTZE) ZAHNER ’79 Friends Who Move Couches

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JOHN J. HARDIC ’78 The Lonely Lady Short Stories to Read While You Wait

DAVID R. FREW '64, '67M AND “JERRY” F. SKRYPZAK ’94 Accidental Paradise: 13,000-Year History of Presque Isle Jefferson Educational Society

MARGARET L. (HENRY) BENSCOTER ’77VMC AND GRANDDAUGHTER, ELISE K. SPRAGUE Wake Up, Little Pup Christian Faith Publishing

THOMAS LEWIS HAINES '67 SNAFU: My Vietnam Vacation of 1969 SPARK Publications

WILLIAM CONRAD, PT, DPT, EDD, MS, MTC Associate professor of physical therapy Human Anatomy Synopsis: Head & Neck Ventus Publishing

DOUGLAS J. KING, PH.D. Full professor of English William Shakespeare: Facts and Fictions ABC-CLIO Press 28

JAMES C. RODDY ’92 The Walk-On Method to Career & Business Success: 31 Underdogs Who Became Extraordinary Independently Published

births

A daughter, Charlotte Renee Allen (born July 5, 2020) to Christa M. Concilla ’15 and her husband, Matthew Allen. 2 A daughter, Eleanor Meighan (born Aug. 15, 2020) to Alyssa M. (Kozik) Meighan ’08 and her husband, Thomas.

A son, Theo Mascharka (born Sept.

10, 2020) to Julia C. (Duncan) Mascharka ’16, ’17M and her husband, Matthew A. Mascharka ’17. 1

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JONATHAN P. SCIALABBA was an actor in the movie, “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which was recently released to theaters and on HBO Max on Feb. 12. In the movie – which is based on real events in 1969 – Scialabba portrayed Chicago police officer Valentino, who sparks a violent confrontation in a deli.

BRADLEY J. COLLINS, M.D. was featured on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” to address the effects of COVID-19 on health care workers.

Collins is an internal medicine hospitalist at Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island.

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STACEY E. REYNOLDS, PH.D., OTR/L, FAOTA ’01M was named the new editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. Reynolds is an associate professor of occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

KEVIN BRIGGS is a professor of English at Gannon University. He expresses his thanks to his former professors for being a mentor to him during his time as a Gannon student including Michael S. Tkach ’79M, Sally L. (Delycure) LeVan, Ph.D. ’78M, William J. Doan, Ph.D. ’82 and Melinda Barthelson Holliday ’03M.

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DEBRA (BENJAMIN) DANIELS ’01M joined Schweiger Dermatology Group as a family nurse practitioner.

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AMY L. DOOLAN, D.B.A. ’00, ’04M served on the judging panel for the 2020 Commitment to Erie Awards.

Doolan is the associate dean of Gannon University’s College of Engineering and Business.

REBECCA A. STYN, PH.D. ’02M, ’20PH.D. won the 2020 Ben Franklin’s Big Idea Contest for her Blind Tiger SpiritFree cocktails. Styn and her team are developing natural, organic alternatives to alcoholic cocktails, which will be shelf stable for up to 18 months. The idea also won the $2,500 People's Choice Award. Styn is the owner of Room 33 Speakeasy.

PAUL R. GRADL ’04M has been a senior propulsion engineer at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for more than 16 years and is currently one of the leading researchers of the Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology Project. Gradl was named one of the Most Influential Personalities of Additive Manufacturing 2020.

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NANCY M. (HEISS) MORRIS, PH.D. ’15M is creating an interactive gaming platform for the education technology market. The idea was a finalist in this year’s Ben Franklin’s Big Idea Contest. Morris is the owner of Erie-based Two Sparrows Learning Systems, an inclusive company that creates adaptive products and deliveres product design and consultation services.

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JEFFREY R. BOYER ’07C was named superintendent of the Ferndale Area School District. Boyer recently spent four years as the assistant superintendent at Indiana Area School District.

STEVEN M. SRNKA is an attorney at Orton and Orton in North East, Pa. He focuses on family law, real estate law and regulatory compliance.

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SEAN M. EPERJESI is the new head coach of the football program at Gulf High School in Florida. He previously led the program at Gulf Middle School through an undefeated season and to its first conference championship in 43 years. Eperjesi received an NCAA Division II scholarship to play football at Gannon University, where he was a four-year starter, team captain and later, a defensive ends coach.

TYLER N. STOCZYNSKI is a teacher and head varsity boys basketball coach at Highlands High School in Natrona Heights, Pa. Prior to the 2012-13 season, Stoczynski had led Highlands’ Golden Rams to six playoff appearances, reaching the WPIAL semifinals in four of the past five seasons. Highlands has also played in two championship games, including a 72-54 win vs. Belle Vernon High School in last year’s Class 4A title game - its first WPIAL title in 25 years. After waiting until Jan. 15 to begin their season, the Golden Rams kicked things off with a 52-51 comeback win on the #GANNONFAMILY 29

Kenneth James Aichner ’65 Virginia (Fusco) Anderson ’50VMC Julie (DiNicola) Apthorp ’65VMC Cynthia (Michael) Avers ’71VMC Peter J. Babnis ’77 Bernard Claire Baldwin ’59 Sister Mary Joan Beauseigneur, SSJ ’66VMC Russell Charles Beckwith ’59 Harold John Bender, Esq. ’70 William R Bishop, Jr., Esq. ’71 Stephen F. Bohen ’79 Lawrence C. Bolla, Esq. ’70 John M. Bonanti, Esq. ’82 David Michael Bovi ’69 Audrey L. (Cross) Bretherton ’88VMC Marilynn (Larese) Brown ’80 William Russel Buhite, Jr. ’01M Raymond E. Burckart, Jr. ’65 Marilyn J. (Corcoran) Butterfoss ’63VMC Charles H. Campagne, Jr. ’62 Yvonne Marie (Stezen) Campbell ’95 Christina Carone ’10M Patrick John Carroll III ’63 Gerald Francis Cerami ’68 Jean Marie Coco ’97 Ronald “Ted” T. Colicchio ’73M Michael John Coppella ’85 Victoria Celia (Letizia) Corapi ’59VMC Rebecca Ann (Fairchild) Costello ’82VMC Dennis J. Damico ’69 MAJ James R. Daniels ’74 Erik William Dansk ’74 Celestine (Bell) Davis ’74, ’78M Tullia (Ricchiuti) Defoy ’39VMC Marsha Ann Delaura ’74 Michael A. Demma ’63 James R. Dempsey, Ed.D. ’70 James Thomas Domino ’71 Brian George Draves ’67 Dennis M. Edmonds ’77, ’81M Athena Kathleen Ernst ’02M Robert E. Evans, D.O. ’60 Catherine M. Federoff ’45VMC Christine L. (Zoebisch) Fellner ’65VMC

in memoriam

Alumni Mildred Ilene (McCaslin) Fenner ’82 Robert F. Filer ’64 Charles Anthony Fischer ’67 Sheila Fiscus ’97M William J. Flaherty, Jr. ’65 Mary Catherine (Gallagher) Fleming ’79 Lori Ann (Pillitteri) Gealey ’88 John William Godfrey ’69 George Lester Green ’60 Michael J. Gregorek, M.D. ’77 Margaret (Nachman) Griffey ’48VMC Thomas Marion Gromacki ’59 Virginia (Ricchuiti) Gross ’50VMC Joseph E. Habas ’49 Rev. Donald Douglas Hake ’86M Sharron (Straub) Hall ’73VMC Kathleen Hatheway ’74 Albert Hatkevich ’62 Howynn (Roy) Heidelberg ’85VMC Jacob L. Herrit ’22 Dennis Michael Herttua, M.Ed. ’71 Donald Norman Hess ’68, ’73M Joann (Feidler) Hornaman ’70 Deborah Sue (McGinnis) Horner ’89VMC Edithe Lillian (McIntyre) Hric ’68VMC Sister Agnes Marie Hughes, SSJ ’62VMC Emeka Columbus Ibemere ’86, ’88M Frank Joseph Igoe, Jr. ’61 Harry C. Izbicki, D.O. ’47 Donna J. (Hlafcsak) Johnson ’09C Christine A. Kalicky ’94 Norma Jean (Mikula) Kalie ’64VMC CPT Brian John Kazin ’79 Patrick W. Kearney, CPA ’59 Sally Carlow Kohler ’71M Casimir Carl Krauza ’53 John Fitzgerald Kuhar ’74 Keith R. Kulhanek ’76 Thomas John Lenovich ’66 Warren Anthony Leone ’97, ’94 Jeffrey David Liebel ’78

Sister Joyce Lowrey, SSJ ’73VMC Andrew L. Lutz ’82M Patricia A. (Mioduszewski) Mackey ’59VMC Daniel Anthony Madlehner ’77 Thomas Anthony Madras ’60 James Patrick Mahoney ’67 John Paul Makowski ’57 Joseph John Markiewicz ’62 Bruce Alan Masters ’66 Barbara Ann Mazzone ’89M Jocelyn Renee McCrumb ’12 Donald David McCurdy ’63 Sister Mary Kay McNelis, SSJ ’58VMC COL Dennis Daniel McSweeney, USA (Ret.) ’64 Robert Adam Meister ’65 G. Michael Miller, Esq. ’75 Joseph Michael Monocello ’80 Rita Jane (Anderson) Moore ’42VMC Helen (Miller) Moore ’58VMC Michael Walter Moran ’68 Leonard J. Moriarty ’56 Mary Louise Neckel-James ’72VMC David P. Nelson ’73 Richard John Olchak ’65 Msgr. Gerald L. Orbanek ’60 Theresa Margaret (Nix) Paluf ’72VMC Willard F. Passauer, Sr. ’61 Francis Hugh Payne ’75, ’81M Marjorie Louise Peterson ’74VMC, ’96M Terry Lee Pfeffer ’64 Edward C. Potthoff, Jr. ’50 John Michael Pronobis ’75 Joyce Irene Quadri ’87 Patrick J. Quirk, CPA ’64 Mary Ann (Donovan) Ritter ’61VMC Ronald James Rizzo ’64 Candyce Clemma (Cain) Ross ’71 John Carter Rowland, Ph.D. ’49 Edward Lamont Ruff, Jr. ’86 Mary Ellen Sartoris ’74 Brian J. Saviola ’65 William F. Scarpitti, Esq. ’68 William Earl Scheffner ’74M

Barbara Ann (Gardner) Schmitt ’56VMC Rev. Charles Robert Schmitt ’60 Bernard “Rob” Sedelmyer ’63 Diane Louise Sedwick ’81C Dianne Regina (Nagosky) Seib ’71 C. Louise Sellaro, D.B.A. `79M Austin Pollard Shealey ’81 Mary Lou Shewan ’63VMC Luke John Shultz ’99 John Albert Simon ’71 Robert Francis Simons ’60 Cynthia L. Simonsen ’81 Leroy Francis Smith ’62 Rev. Thomas E. Smith ’62 Richard Allen Southworth ’66 Sue Ann (Fleming) Spiher ’68VMC Norbert J. Stankiewicz ’56 David James Steines ’65 Michael George Thompson ’90M George Francis Thompson ’67 Barbara (Guzowski) Toth, R.N. ’69VMC Shirley (Pasquarett) Trapp ’54VMC James Andres Treiber ’65, ’70M Nicole R. Tylkowski ’14 Gerald Edmund Tylman ’61 Sarah A. (Gehringer) Vallimont ’92 Donald Joseph Vallimont ’56 Patricia Villella ’74VMC John Robert Washek ’67, ’78M Ronald Joseph Wasielewski ’62 Sister Andrea Weidle ’61VMC David Charles Wenrick ’69 Tracy L. (Benson) Willover ’16, ’20 Edward Leonard Wisniewski ’70 James Michael Wuerstle ’84 Richard D. Wynne ’51 Richard F. Yeager ’49 Irene H. Zebrowski ’63VMC Carolyn E. (Hertel) Zimmer ’62VMC Jana L. (Johnson) Zybowski ’92 Mark Andrew Zywan ’72

Rose Marie Gallagher Beverly Grab-Rosenbaum Thomas F. Grosz Edward A. Grzelak, Jr. Grace M. Guelcher Frank K. Gottschalk Kathleen Brigid Heavey Nancy R. Jay, Ph.D.

Vitus Jerome Kaiser Mary Christine Loftus William T. Lynch Edward T. McCormick Michael Thomas Nolan Rev. James T. O'Hara John Edward Pol Carmen Pontoriero

Fotios D. Pouliopoulos Thomas J. Roche Peter Scheler Lella C. Seibel Nicholas M. Sivillo, Jr. Virginia Stebnisky Robert “Bobby” Flynn Strayer

Parents and Friends Armand Alo Edward Amore Thomas M. Checchio Thomas Chido, Jr. John P. Cramer Marilyn Eickley Susan M. Elliott Agnes M. Flanagan, R.N. 30

GANNON MAGAZINE JUNE 2021

road against then No. 2 Mars Area High School, announcing their arrival as a possible title contender in Class 5A. Highlands has since added three more wins in a span of five days, all coming by at least 30 points.

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CLAYTON WESLEY ACKER starred in season 1, episode 3 of the Netflix series, “Ratched,” a new series based on Ken Kesey’s novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

HANNAH E. KIRBY ’11M was the 2020 recipient of the Junior Achievement Celebrating Success award, which honors young entrepreneurial individuals from Erie County who have made or are positioned to make outstanding contributions to the business, social and cultural assets of this area.

GINA M. FULGENZIO ’15M joined faculty in the physician assistant program at her alma mater in Spring 2020. She is also a cardiology physician assistant at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

SAMANTHA L. FUGAGLI was named an associate at McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC.

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JESSIE M. MILLIKEN, DO is a resident at Excela Health Frick Family Medicine at Excela Square at Frick in Mt. Pleasant. Jessie is a native of Mather, Pa. He thanks his western Pennsylvania upbringing, education and residency training for his career in community medicine.

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STEVE PIOTROWICZ is the head coach of the Cathedral Prep basketball team that was named the PIAA Class 5A state championship in boys basketball this past March.

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MEAGHAN K. ROPSKI, D.V.M. was featured in two articles by “Reader's Digest” including “Popular Dog Facts That Are Actually False” and “Things Your Dog Wishes You’d Stop Doing.”

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MOLLY C. MARTIN and her husband, James “Jimmy” Wright Jr., D.O, helped raise more than $70,000 to purchase and deliver needed supplies to local hospitals. Martin received a master’s degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2019 and now works as an analyst for ECRI.

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JACOB I. FAIT PH.D., ’14PH.D. was selected as a member of the Greene County Partnership's 2020-21 Leadership Greene County Class. Fait is the dean of the College of Business and executive director of the Center for Civic Advancement at Tusculum University.

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Sarah E. Miller ’15 married Nathan Lippert on July 25, 2020. 1

Ciara N. Weaver ’18, ’19M married Matthew Ray on Oct. 17, 2020. 3

Gabriella M. Porter ’18 married Isaac D. Merritt ’20 on Sept. 19, 2020. 6

Meagan M. McHugh ’17M married Greg Gania on Oct. 17, 2020. 2

Daniel Giannelli ’91 married Laura Hinsdale on Oct. 10, 2020. 4

Melissa M. Ross ’09 married Andrew Cline on Oct. 24, 2020. 5

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EMILY A. ERNES ’17M purchased Glass Growers Gallery in Erie following the retirement of Deborah Vahanian, founder and dedicated owner of 46 years. Ernes holds an entrepreneurial spirit and artistic abilities and loves learning about other people, cultures and meaningful forms of creative expression.

KATIE R. OKNEFSKI ’18M joined staff of UPMC St. Margaret in Pittsburgh, Pa. as an occupational therapist.

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Thank you for Celebrating Gannon The Gannon University community came together in a big way to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff in research, scholarship, engagement and fine arts during this year’s Celebrate Gannon on April 22-23. We’re grateful for everyone who stepped forward to show their pride and appreciation of student achievement and Gannon’s impact on our lives, community and the world.

• The third annual Celebrate Gannon: Day of Giving far surpassed our goal of 250 donors, garnering support from 357 alumni and friends from 27 states during a 24-hour period. A total of $90,276 was raised to support our students.

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• The virtual Scholarship Celebration brought together endowed scholarship donors and student recipients to encourage conversations and engagement of those in attendance.

• The annual Philanthropy Awareness Days gave students an opportunity to explore named spaces on campus and thank our generous donors for their support. Students also gathered in two separate sociallydistanced locations for Senior Social and were welcomed into the Alumni Association with a toast.

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KAITLYN M. ROOSE was named the director of ESports at Michigan Technological University. Roose previously served as the president and co-founder of the Esports Club at Michigan Technological University and a mentor for the Husky Game Development Enterprise. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in applied

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BRAD J. KOVALESKI, ’19PH.D. was appointed to the Scranton City Council’s Ethics Board. The council voted unanimously to authorize -2 appointment for a term i l 22 r A p Kovaleski’s running through August 2023.

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The Office of Constituent Engagement also hosted a series of special events during Celebrate Gannon to thank and recognize our generous donors who support these incredible student experiences. Here are just a few highlights:

JOEL E. HECKMAN ’18M works as clinical director for Lucas Therapies’ new sixth location in the Kroger Marketplace in Rocky Mount, Va. Heckman specializes in multiple treatment options including blood flow restriction, which is a treatment technique used by Olympic and professional athletes to increase muscle size and strength while improving recovery time.

cognitive science and human factors.

Roose played varsity softball during her undergraduate career at Gannon University and brings this background as a collegiate athlete to the new program.

GABRIEL J. FULGENZIO joined the staff of WQLN Public Broadcasting in Erie in August 2020 as producer and director of digital media. He was the recipient of the 2019 Gannon Excellence in Journalism Communication Award.

KENNEDY N. MASON was honored by Erie News Now Lilly Broadcasting for her work as a nurse at UPMC Hamot.

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JUSTIN M. GALLAGHER ’20M was named an inaugural member of the Erie County Community College Board of Trustees. Gallagher served on the Harbor Creek School Board for four years, becoming the youngest ever elected to the Board. He also served on the Board of the Erie County Technical School for two years.

Giving Back to Gannon

Gannon University is able to offer a high-quality education that inspires transformational student experiences thanks to our donors.

Your gift to Gannon supports the greatest needs of our students through scholarships, financial aid, state-of-the-art technology and facilities, library and academic resources, and students’ extracurricular experiences.

Your support provides life-changing opportunities, experiences and resources that enable our students to follow their passions and achieve success. Thank you for your commitment to Gannon University and for the support you offer to all our students.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS? One-Time Annual Gift Support Gannon’s greatest area of needs and emerging priorities or any specific program or area.

In-Kind Gift Use gifts of personal property to support our students’ education.

Recurring Gift Your recurring gift provides a reliable source of support for Gannon. You can set your gift to automatically recur monthly, quarterly or yearly.

Matching Gifts Double the impact of your gift. Contact your employer for more information.

Planned Gift When you include Gannon University in your estate plan, your generosity creates a lasting legacy and provides a comprehensive, value-centered educational experience that is grounded in Catholic faith.

Amazon Smile A simple and automatic way to support Gannon every time you shop. All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be made at no extra cost to you after you select Gannon University as the charitable organization you wish to support.

Financial Portfolio Give to Gannon through donor advised funds, stock transfers, charitable gift annuities, IRA required minimum distributions and real estate. Our Leadership Giving Team can help you make your gift through one of these areas.

TO DISCUSS YOUR GIFT, PLEASE CONTACT: Almitra Clerkin ’85, ’17M, associate vice president for University Advancement 814-871-7786 www.gannonalumni.org/give https://gannonalumni.planmylegacy.org

109 University Square Erie, PA 16541-0001 gannon.edu/magazine

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