A symbolic change of seasons creates a picturesque backdrop as Gannon prepares to transition from its seventh to eighth president.
Page 10
A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses. Page 2
South Hall was officially dedicated and welcomed its first occupants.
Celebrating learning opportunities and growth on the Ruskin Campus.
That is the question I am most frequently asked these days, since I announced in August that I will be stepping down as president of Gannon University at the end of the academic year.
I realize now that I’ve conditioned those around me to always have a plan. Ask anyone on the Leadership Team: we have a plan for every initiative – recruitment, student engagement, employee engagement, our Ruskin Campus and every other university priority.
So, I realize it strikes people as odd when I say that I have not solidified a plan – yet, anyway –for my “what’s next.”
Part of the reason for that is I’m not retiring fully, nor walking away from the Gannon family that I love. I am stepping down as president and taking a year away, but then returning to Gannon in a less prominent and (hopefully) less all-consuming role.
For now, though, my and our focus needs to be on staying busy executing the plans we have already made for Gannon’s success. These are heady times, and we must keep executing and strategically moving forward.
I am looking forward to this change and new start. Being a university president is more a lifestyle than a job. You are always the president and the light switch is always turned on. It is a blessing and a privilege for one’s mind to be perpetually reimagining how and what we can do better and differently to support our nearly 5,000 students and 1,000 employees. I have been working on this puzzle and navigating it for 12 years, and it is time to consider our possibilities from a new seat and allow another leader to take over the reins.
“I am eager to see what my “next” is about … I dearly love Gannon. … In return, Gannon has loved me back and transformed me in immeasurable ways.”
During the summer, I pedaled a bicycle from Erie to Albany over the course of eight days. It was a wonderful change of pace, and it was a reminder that there are other things I can do. Personally, I have some ideas of ways in which I will spend my time. I have a wife and four children who deserve more of my attention. I have a golf and tennis game that also need a lot of attention.
Rest assured, I also have ideas how I might continue to meaningfully serve our students inside and outside the classroom, our neighboring communities, economic development initiatives and our university in developing next-level institutional ventures all at the discretion of our new university president.
I am eager to see what my “next” is about and am confident that my relationship with Gannon will still play a starring role. I dearly love Gannon. I have given everything I have to it these past nearly 18 years, first as provost and then as president. In return, Gannon has loved me back and transformed me in immeasurable ways.
- Keith Taylor
It would be easy to continue in this role. But that would also be selfish. It is essential for an organization to evolve, and Dr. Walter Iwanenko will bring new ideas and energy that this university deserves.
Remember, I’m not done yet and there is much to do before June 30, 2023. I look forward to seeing you around campus and making more great things happen this year. Go Knights!
Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., receives a standing ovation for his service to Gannon after announcing his plans to step down as president during a community meeting in August.Vol. XXXV, No. 1 • November 2022
Mallory (Hedlund) Bottoni ’14 Assistant Director for Marketing, Communications and Content design
Laura Giannelli
Andrew Lapiska ’09M
contributing writers
Meagan M. Gania
Jeff Kirik
Nicole (Dohoda) Lossie ’11 Kristine Rilling
editorial contributors
Haley Figurski photography student, staff and alumni contributors
exclusive video content
Matthew King
online edition
Michael Gorski ’11M
Nikki Luoma printing and distrbution
Royle Printing, Sun Prairie, Wis.
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A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses.
Learning and career development is taken outside the classroom and the country as students in the occupational therapy program gain firsthand experience.
More than 200 community members filled Yehl Alumni Ballroom to witness the historic milestone announcing Gannon’s next president.
A story of tribulation, triumph and accomplishing goals – read how Sammie Dales finally takes the field as a Gannon Knight.
There is much to applaud after just over one year since the public launch of Gannon’s historic $100 million Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century fundraising campaign.
Keep up with the latest news from Gannon alumni.
Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., announced in August that he would be stepping down as president at the end of June 2023. The seasons transitioned from summer to fall while the presidential search process was conducted and Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., provost and vice president for student experience, was vetted and ultimately selected to become Gannon’s eighth president effective July 1, 2023. Turn to page 10 to read more.
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1 Acting
Secretary Eric Hagarty and his team spent a September morning engaging with students on the importance of their profession. He asked what he could take back to Harrisburg and advocate for that would help them be successful now – and when they become fulltime educators. They held a spirited and enthusiastic discussion about state plans for emergency certifications, recruitment, training and support structures, delays caused by the pandemic, and the re-evaluation of standardized testing.
to a generous gift provided by Deacon Martin P. Eisert ’85M, ’89M and Kathryn A. Eisert, CPA, a new sculpture rests in the Inspiration Plaza of the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge. Named the Triangulum, this original work created from steel, granite and glass was conceptualized and created by local artists Thomas Ferraro and Edward F. Grout who engaged with students, faculty and staff during the design phases. The three faces of the Triangulum are representative of aspects of Gannon, I-HACK and cyber knowledge, continuing Gannon’s trend of building a curated collection of art contributing to the student experience and supporting the values of our liberal core.
REV. MONSIGNOR THOMAS J. MCSWEENEY ’66
FOR COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS. 3 Students, colleagues and friends gathered in a surprise celebration to honor the founder of Gannon’s Departments of Speech and Drama, Radio and Television, and 90.5 WERG-FM. For his contributions encouraging and transforming young minds, guiding them as they honed skills at the microphone, in the sound booth, on stage or behind the scenes, the Thomas J. McSweeney Multimedia Suites are now so named inside the Center and a scholarship was made in his name.
RUSKIN COMMUNITY RECOVERY AND SERVICE AFTER HURRICANE IAN. 4 As our Gannon students, faculty and staff returned to the Ruskin, Florida campus after the impacts of Hurricane Ian in October, they not only reunited in support of each other, but immediately launched into service of others. Knights gathered to support efforts delivering an industrial-size generator to Fort Myers that was used to help maintain food supply for evacuees and first responders. The campus community also collaborated with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice directing traffic, distributing food and water and generally supporting affected sites in the area.
STUDENT-CENTERED SPACE ABOVE DOC’S LANDING GIVEN NEW NAME AND PURPOSE. 5 Gannon’s Activities Programming Board and Student Government Association teamed up to revitalize and repurpose the second-floor space of the Waldron Campus Center above Doc’s Landing. Previously a quiet space for dining or studying – still with views of Friendship Green and Gannon’s iconic sculpture of Jesus the Teacher – is now an entertainment space equipped with intentionally selected TVs and projectors, speakers and new furniture. The final piece? Students voted on social media to make the space their own, giving it the name: The Deck
TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE CONTINUES WITH NEW AND REPEAT AWARDS. 6 Gannon was recognized as a 2022 Great College to Work For®. This is the fifth time receiving this designation after achieving an overall score higher than the Carnegie comparison group. Gannon was also ranked as a Top National University by U.S. News and World Report for the fourth consecutive year, with special recognitions for undergraduate nursing and engineering programs, and high marks in social mobility. New to Gannon’s accolades, I-HACK and its architectural firm, The Collaborative, was awarded Honorable Mention for Additions, Renovations and Restorations by AIA Ohio, a society of the American Institute of Architects.
Stay up-to-date with Gannon’s news at gannon.edu/newsworthy
I-HACK’S TRIANGULUM SEES COMPLETION. 2 Thanks
It was an unseasonably warm Friday in midSeptember when Gannon formally dedicated and blessed its newest on-campus residence, South Hall. 1
This modern residence hall was designed to accommodate the university’s growing population and the evolving needs of our upper-level students to provide a welcoming place to call home for 95 Knights. The intentionality of the facility’s layout and amenities were guided by student input
throughout its development and prove that the small details are what make a Gannon residence feel like home.
So, what makes South Hall stand out from Gannon’s other residence halls on campus?
Three floors of this four-story building are dedicated to varying single and multi-student suites with private bathrooms designed to provide practical and convenient on-campus living. Three live-in resident assistants are available to support the residents 24/7. 2
“The kitchen provides students with opportunities to bond, make great food and spend time together. I’ve watched some of my residents make fried chicken in the kitchen while watching NFL together on our top-of-the-line TVs. This is the goal … this is what we want to provide for our residents and for our students: the possibility to form community.”
- Ella Hammer, South Hall Resident AssistantModern shared kitchens and common areas on each floor bring students together to create community and shared experiences. Kitchens are equipped with modern appliances
and décor resembling those on HGTV. Common areas feature gathering space for groups and individuals whether students are holding a late-night study session or sampling recipes from the home countries of their hall mates.
The amenities and atmosphere in South Hall are a hybrid of practicalmeets-entertaining to meet the needs of this generation of college students. The residence provides conveniences including laundry facilities and private storage areas connected to a lounge on the lower level. On the fourth-floor, students can bring the outside in and catch the morning sunrise with four functional garage doors facing south to overlook Gannon’s I-HACK. 3
“Erie has such amazing sun-shows and we wanted to try to give each floor its own personality. The theme is hinted at with artwork, photos, accent walls and colorful furniture pieces,” said Residence Life Director Denise Golden, Ed.D.
Nods to Erie’s aesthetic are found throughout the building, bringing the community to life inside its four walls. 4 Amenities are paired with a tranquil color palette that mirror different phases of the day on each floor – from beach glass tones mimicking daytime vibes on the third floor, to a sunset scheme boasting bold oranges and yellows on the second floor, and more.
South Hall features 12 original pieces of artwork by Erie metal artist Evan Everhart. Most unique to the residence hall are the 29 pieces of original photography created by 18 current and former students that were selected from a pool of over 700 submissions. These photographs portray the students’ perception and experience of life on campus and in the Erie community. 4
The artwork throughout this building, and others continues Gannon’s trend of building a curated collection of art contributing to the student experience and supporting the values of our liberal core.
By Mallory Bottoni ’14, assistant director for marketing, communications and contentView more from the South Hall Dedication and Blessing Ceremony and take a look inside the residence hall at magazine.gannon.edu/ Nov2022
What was just an idea two years ago became a reality on the Ruskin Campus in September when the Academic Building's new third floor was formally dedicated and blessed.
More than 100 Gannon and Ruskin community members gathered 1 to celebrate the completion of this $3.9 million investment, which Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, described as “a continuation of our visionary plan to deliver practical and hands-on learning environments that educate students to become highly skilled professionals who meet the evolving needs of today’s health care industry.”
The intentional design of the third floor incorporates student
and employee input to deliver an enhanced, holistic experience and provide meaningful community resources.
“The hard work of our faculty and staff, and the success of our students has positioned Gannon as a leader in health care education that is recognized for innovation in treatment and delivery of care, but also in developing a strong network of practitioners worldwide who are well-rounded professionals making a difference in the lives of their patients every day,” said Keith Taylor, Ph.D., Gannon president.
New opportunities in the floor’s laboratories are transcending this recognition by deepening students’ career readiness to confidently enter the field and immediately create positive impact.
These industry-grade facilities include an Anatomy Lab, Rehabilitation Sciences Lab and a Medical Exam Teaching Lab 2 for pediatric and
neurorehabilitation. A Patient Simulation Center, equipped with four high-fidelity patient simulators 3 and a multi-patient skills lab, is a highlight of this floor that creates crossdisciplinary learning and resources for the Ruskin community.
“This space’s capability to allow me to grow as a student is expansive,” said Teanna Parisio, second-year occupational therapy doctoral student.
“Innovative technology to simulate real-life health care situations will not only equip me with the resources to provide care during real-time events but will also facilitate a great learning environment and empower Gannon students with the skills to serve our community.”
Integrating spaces on the floor like a 130-seat student gathering space and lecture hall as well as the learning commons 4 with project rooms and quiet study space brings Gannon and Ruskin communities on campus to share professional
View more from the Dedication and Blessing Ceremony and take a look around the new floor at magazine.gannon.edu/ Nov2022
and personal development as well as educational engagements. These spaces also enhance program delivery modalities to pave the way for future programs as the university seeks to expand its offerings beyond the health care sector.
There are amenities promoting comprehensive well-being, too. The Interfaith and Meditation Space 5 is an inclusive environment for those of all faith backgrounds for prayer, reflection or meditation. The convenience of on-campus dining is served at knightBITES, a fresh café featuring healthy meal and to-go options to enjoy outside on the patio or in the welcoming gathering area that connects all these spaces together.
“Innovative technology to simulate real-life health care situations will not only equip me with the resources to provide care during real-time events but will also facilitate a great learning environment and empower Gannon students with the skills to serve our community.”
“The expansion of the third floor has been a beacon of growth for our campus and demonstrates our university’s mission, vision and values, providing us – the students – with the resources necessary to learn and prepare us to provide the best evidencebased care to our community, both locally and globally,” said Parisio. Gannon looks forward to advancing this positive momentum and significant growth at its Ruskin Campus, which now employs more than 35 faculty and staff, and enrolls nearly 300 students in its eight academic programs.
By
and content
The Ruskin Campus’ inaugural Orlando Biomedical Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching Lecture was held in September. SimonMary Asese Aihiokhai, Ph.D., associate professor of systematic theology at the University of Portland, presented “A Case for A Eucharistic Approach to Health Care According to the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church.”
He emphasized that a career in health care goes beyond the rituals of the job and focused on themes of community, radical solidarity, healing and history. He cited the ethical responsibility each of us has to others and discussed inequities that can occur if it is not honored.
Mallory Bottoni ’14, assistant director for marketing, communications – Teanna Parisio
This Ecuadorian proverb perfectly describes the impact that the occupational therapy GIFT (Gannon: Inspired Faculty-led Travel) course to Ibarra, Ecuador had on the students and faculty, as well as the clients they treated.
It’s a short walk from the Backpacker Hostel to Centro de Rehabilitación, Educación, Capacitación, Estudios, y Recursos (CRECER), but for Amy Brzuz, OTD and students Ashley Tomasko and Brynn Wasielewski, this experience has been a long time coming. After navigating the uncertainty of planning international travel during COVID, just getting on the plane to Ecuador in May felt like an accomplishment.
Gannon’s relationship with CRECER began in 2017 after recognizing the potential for students to have an increased and active role during fieldwork.
“Sometimes in the U.S., because of laws, policies and procedures in medical settings, level one students are not allowed to participate in all the steps in the OT process … they do a lot more observing than participating in a hands-on way,” said Brzuz. “In Ecuador, the students are participating in all the sessions all the time with faculty supervisors.”
After completing three level one experiences, Wasilewski appreciated the opportunity for increased client interactions, and freedom to develop and implement her own interventions.
“Hands that give also receive.”
Intentional cultural immersion outside the clinical setting also proved indispensable. Embracing Ecuadorian culture prior to client interactions created a level of understanding and confidence to respectfully interact with CRECER’s clients.
Tomasko reflected that this cultural context provided “a more in-depth picture of how (Ecuadorians) live,” leading to a better understanding of how to approach interventions.
The Ecuador course supports Brzuz’s research with fellow OT faculty Julia Hawkins-Pokabla, OTD, and mathematics faculty David Prier, Ph.D., on student participation in international fieldwork experiences.
Students who’ve engaged have had a fuller understanding of occupational therapy at its core and have grown their patient intervention skills.
Setting the GIFT course apart from domestic fieldwork, too, is the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients in addition to group settings. These settings are diverse because the clients that the students worked with ranged from pediatric to octogenarian, with each population requiring a different skillset – a challenge they readily welcomed.
This variety of interactions and interventions drives home the holistic approach of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists aren’t restricted to medical settings; their placements and careers can also take them to schools, group homes, not-for-profits and more. Their work is not just preparing individuals to return to the workplace, but also ensuring that clients can participate in activities they want, need and are expected to do from hobbies to self-care, to work responsibilities. Having an experience that allows students flexibility in their approach and encourages creative problem-solving helps them prepare for situations they might face in their professional future.
Moving students outside the clinical environment and taking them to a community center for seniors reinforced this. While working with older populations, the practices focused more on balance and coordination under the guise of crafting and games, activities that were met with great excitement. The practice of adapting activities to different abilities while maintaining a level of respect and client appropriateness is not something unique to CRECER that students experience.
More important than the excitement of the experience is whether the students feel the skills they learned will last beyond their week in Ecuador. Both Tomasko and Wasielewski are now considering careers as travel OTs.
Tomasko, who will earn her master’s in Spring 2023, thoughtfully reflected that having the ability to “explore different sides of (herself) by experiencing new things every day,” helped her learn about herself as a future OT. The experience introduced new concepts as an occupational therapy student, in particular “how each individual culture can impact an occupational therapy session.”
This experience left as much of a lasting an impact on our students as it did on their clients. Wasielewski will even be making her return to Ecuador this spring on the next GIFT course as the fifth-year OT student’s hands have even more to give.
ByMeagan M. Gania, director of learning abroad and international academic programs
View more photos from the Ecuador GIFT course at magazine.gannon.edu/ Nov2022
(Left) Brynn Wasielewski left her mark on the Tree of Life painting at CRECER, and her patients’ lives. (Right) Ashley Tomasko enjoyed pre-fieldwork immersion at the butterfly house in Mindo.A glimpse of the future arrived on Nov. 2 when the Most. Rev. Lawrence Persico, J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Erie and chairman of Gannon’s Board of Trustees, announced that Walter Iwanenko Jr., Ph.D., will become Gannon University’s eighth president.
Tina Donikowski ’85, a Gannon trustee and chairwoman of the Leadership Search Committee, said Iwanenko distinguished himself throughout the process.
“Dr. Iwanenko proved to us he is ready for this role,” she said. “He has the institutional knowledge, the aptitude and a commitment to both the university and to its Catholic traditions to advance Gannon’s positive momentum.”
Iwanenko, who worked at Hilbert and D’Youville colleges prior to joining Gannon in 2016, shared his gratitude to family, colleagues and mentors, along with his experience and drive that made him the best fit to become Gannon’s eighth president.
(Top) During a news conference on Nov. 2, Walter Iwanenko Jr., Ph.D. is named as Gannon’s eighth president while seated with his wife, Mary, and son, Erik. (Bottom) Iwanenko is congratulated by the Most. Rev. Lawrence Persico, J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Erie and chairman of Gannon’s Board of Trustees.
Iwanenko, 52, an occupational therapist and epidemiologist who is Gannon University’s provost and vice president for student experience, will succeed President Keith Taylor, Ph.D. Taylor announced in August that he will step down as president effective June 30, 2023. Following his announcement, the university conducted a campus-wide process that included evaluating and ultimately recommending Iwanenko for this role, which he will begin July 1, 2023.
“I am the son of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. I know what a college degree can do for someone’s life – because it happened to me,” Iwanenko said. “I want to do my part to ensure the window of opportunity is open for others.”
View photos and videos of the announcements at magazine.gannon.edu/ Nov2022
“We are delighted to announce Dr. Iwanenko will be our next president,” Persico said to nearly 200 students and employees gathered in the Yehl Ballroom. “He has contributed much to the university in his role as a vice president and provost, and we have even higher expectations for him and the university when he assumes his new role next year.”
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unique blend of experiences and skills to leading Gannon University toward a brighter future as we seek to transform lives
elevate the fortunes of those pursuing a better, greater life for themselves.”
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We are delighted to announce Dr. Iwanenko will be our next president. He has contributed much to the university … and we have even higher expectations for him and the university when he assumes his new role next year.
- Bishop Lawrence Persico
Persico mentioned that Iwanenko will inherit a university “that is experiencing record enrollment, has stable finances, exceptional employees and an inspiring student body across its two campuses in Erie and Ruskin.”
projects created opportunity for new academic programs that align with and meet the needs of today’s industries, as well as tremendous gains in philanthropy.
Gannon’s endowment doubled to a high of $83.5 million during his presidency. He successfully closed the Vision 2020 campaign, raising $67.5 million and is leading the university toward the $100 million goal of its current campaign, Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century.
travel, tennis and golf in the months following his presidency.
Much of that can be attributed to Taylor’s careful stewardship of the university since becoming president in 2011. Throughout his 18 years of service, Taylor achieved many notable accomplishments that continue to drive forward-thinking development of Gannon’s academic and campus infrastructure; continue to serve our communities to advance educational, interpersonal and economic growth; and continue to foster a campus environment that inspires transformation.
“Dr. Taylor has advanced the university with so many projects – some moved us by leaps and bounds,” Persico said following Taylor’s announcement in August. “I am grateful for all he’s done for Gannon, and I am confident the momentum will continue.”
His announcement to step down coincided with the opening of South Hall in Erie and an expansion project on the Ruskin, Florida Campus – only the latest in a long string of about $157 million in new buildings and renovations during his tenure. These
He has redefined the culture of the university’s campus. “Gannon family,” “humble, hungry, smart,” “Wildly Important Goals” and “transforming lives” are part of Gannon’s lexicon because of his relentless drive to differentiate the Gannon experience for students and employees, which has led to record enrollment and distinction as a “Great College to Work For.”
Taylor, 58, is not retiring and he is not leaving Gannon entirely. He plans to take a year-long sabbatical and return to Gannon in a different role that is not yet fully defined, but will be resolved in consultation with his wife, Mary Jean, the Board of Trustees and Iwanenko. He looks forward to time with his wife and children,
For now, though, most of his attention is on the year ahead – not for him but on the many things needed for Gannon.
“We have a lot of work to do and there are many things I want to see through,” he said. “Having a smooth transition is important for the university. There are many other priorities, too – and those start and end with our students. We must be focused on transforming their lives just as they and everyone here continue to transform ours.”
By Doug Oathout, chief of staff and director of Marketing and Communications
I will … bring my unique blend of experiences and skills to leading Gannon University toward a brighter future as we seek to transform lives and elevate the fortunes of those pursuing a better, greater life for themselves.
- Walter Iwanenko
Having a smooth transition is important for the university. There are many other priorities, too – and those all start and end with our students. We must be focused on transforming their lives just as they and everyone here continue to transform ours.
- Keith Taylor
Sammie Dales began attending Gannon University women’s soccer games when she was about 11 years old. She thought it was “the coolest thing ever” when the announcer called the players’ names before games and after goals. She dreamed of being one of those players. She never dreamed, though, that she would endure multiple knee surgeries, countless hours of rehab and three lost seasons before she would finally achieve this.
Injury strikes three times Sammie Dales first met Gannon women’s soccer coach Colin Petersen ’01 as her Erie Admirals youth team coach. That’s when she began attending the Golden Knights’ games. The Conneautville resident was homeschooled for all 12 years of her education by her mother, Lori, who is a Gannon employee. She played first for the Admirals and then joined the Beadling Soccer Club, a Pittsburgharea travel team.
Dales faced her first bout of adversity at 15 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. She underwent surgery and about six months of rehabilitation before
returning for her freshman club season. She played at Conneaut Area Senior High as a sophomore, then for Beadling her final three club seasons. As she hoped, Dales was recruited by Petersen to compete for Gannon. Then the unthinkable happened.
During spring season her senior year, she suffered a torn ACL in her right knee that resulted in surgery and about six months of rehabilitation.
“… there was no way I was going to make it back for the season,” she recalled thinking immediately. Her first season at Gannon was lost before she even made it onto campus. That was only the beginning of Dales’ trials during her college career.
The COVID-19 pandemic struck not long after she was able to return to off-season training in early 2020. Workouts were halted and the fall season was canceled.
Gannon was able to resume games in Spring 2021. Dales’ knee was strong,
she was ready to take the field as a Knight. But, while practicing before the first game, she took a shot and collapsed with a familiar, agonizing feeling in her left knee.
Queue a somber ritual. It was a third ACL tear, and this time she underwent a two-step surgery. It extended her recovery time forcing her to lose both the spring and entire 2021 fall season, too. Yet, undaunted, she started another comeback.
“She’s a much stronger person than I am,” Petersen said. “Her drive to come back, you can just see it.”
Dales reaches her goal Dales entered the 2022-23 school year as a senior academically but was listed under “Newcomers” in the team’s season preview where Petersen wrote: “Cannot wait for her to play. She deserves so much.”
Dales finally made her debut in Gannon uniform, a moment she described “was like a dream.”
She recorded her first assist during a 1-0 win over Slippery Rock, but her most memorable moments took place in a home win against Clarion.
At the 63:32 mark of a scoreless game, she lofted a corner kick toward the goal and earned an assist after teammate Leah Bermudez headed the ball into the net. Just over two minutes later, Sarah Fails ripped a shot off the Clarion goalie, and Dales followed with a left-footed kick past the keeper into the net – a fitting
triumph over the two surgeries that knee sustained.
It set off a celebration as she finally heard “Sammie Dales” over the loudspeakers of McConnell Family Stadium. She achieved her dream as an 11-year-old fan.
“It was just kind of a whirlwind,” she reminisced. “There were so many people shouting to me after the goal – from the bench, from the field.”
“Every time I get on the field, it could be the last time, so… I just want to play as well as I can.”
Gannon won the PSAC West regularseason title and placed second in the PSAC Tournament. As Gannon prepared to host NCAA Atlantic Regional games on Nov. 11, Dales ranked second on the team with six assists while helping the Golden Knights to a 14-3-4 record.
By Jeff Kirik, assistant director of athletics media relationsContinue reading what the future holds for Sammie Dales at magazine.gannon.edu/ Nov2022
Gannon’s Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will welcome eight inductees in a formal ceremony in January. The new class brings the Hall of Fame to 136 members. Its inductees include:
• Frank W. Brown ’88, Men’s Soccer
• Samantha Brueckner ’16, ’17M, Women’s Soccer
• Calvin Graham, Men’s Basketball
• Loren C. Marz ’75, Baseball
• Frank McGrath ’10, ’13M, Men’s Wrestling
• Diana Carolina Muñoz Sanchez ’17, Women’s Golf
• Diana Rocco ’12, ’13M, Women’s Diving
• Donald R. Sherman, Jr., Women’s/Men’s Water Polo Head Coach
The Class of 2022 inductees were recognized in a ceremony in February 2022 and included:
• Bill Carey ’61, Men’s Basketball
• Jaclyn Corroto ’08, Softball
• Courtney Rowan ’09, Women’s Soccer
• Jen (Gwin) Theissen ’06, Women’s Basketball
• Natalie (Grabowski) Woodward ’03, Women’s Water Polo
• 2009-10 Women’s Basketball Team
• Steve Bohen ’79, Distinguished Service Award
our
“She’s a much stronger person than I am; Her drive to come back, you can just see it.”
- Colin Petersen
In the year since Gannon announced its ambitious $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign in September 2021, Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century has garnered remarkable achievements for the university as it approaches its centennial anniversary in 2025.
Founded on four strategic funding priorities, the campaign complements Gannon’s Mission to believe in, inspire and transform our students to have significant impact as global citizens within the communities where they live and serve.
The university is grateful to the alumni, community partners and many benefactors who’ve contributed to the campaign.
“Our progress towards achieving these bold goals is a direct result of the investments the Gannon community is making in the transformation of our students,” said Barbara Beuscher, vice president for University Advancement.
“New donors, volunteers and engaged alumni are giving their time to mentor and share their expertise with our students,” said Beuscher. “It is a humbling experience to see
the generosity of so many people. Thanks to the continued support, this campaign will have profound impact on students for years to come.”
Several examples of gifts that supported the campaign goals and invested in the transformation of our students, making notable contributions including:
Investments toward the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge to support regional workforce development and pave the way for more students to pursue STEM-related fields.
Scholarships and endowments are being created to offer affordable, high-quality educational experiences that are affordable and accessible for all.
Meaningful partnerships were formed, including a 10-year leadership investment with Highmark to rename the home for several of Gannon’s athletic teams, becoming the Highmark Events Center.
The university looks forward to continuing the momentum of these notable contributions into the next year of the campaign as we emphasize focus on enhancing the student experience through scholarships and endowments.
“It is a humbling experience to see the generosity of so many people. Thanks to the continued support, this campaign will have profound impact on students for years to come.”
- Barbara Beuscher
66
WILLIAM J. STEGER was honored in June by H.A.N.D.S. with the Charles R. and Katherine L. Scalise Community Service Award.
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ROBERT W. MCGEE, PH.D. competed in the Taekwondo World Championships in Phoenix, Ariz. in July, and won five gold medals, two silver and one bronze.
GREGORY F. PASHKE recently published a book “Quotes and Ladders” with publisher Hoshin Media.
JESSICA A. (DEBES) STECKLER ’79M was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in the World. Recently retired after more than 40 years in education, nursing and consulting, Steckler continues giving back as an appraiser on behalf of the American Nurse Association’s Pathway to Excellence Program, for which she was an appraiser from 2011-2020.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO! Submit a class note to gannonalumni@gannon.edu
JOHN S. SUTIKA, CPA will retire as president of Penn Highlands DuBois on June 30, 2023. He began his career with DuBois Regional Medical Center in 1985 and served as president of Penn Highlands DuBois since 2011.
JOHN A. FULENA III was named a 2022 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. Fulena is the director of production and industrial printing in the dealer division for Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. He is a 35-year veteran of the PP/IP industry and joined Konica Minolta in 2020.
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LT. GEN. JAMES M. DUBIK, USA spoke at the Jefferson Educational Society in June, discussing the Ukraine situation. Dubik served as the general for the Multi-National Security Transition Forces in Iraq. He taught at the U.S. Military Academy and other top universities since retiring from the Army in 2008. He currently serves as the senior fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, and recently published “Just War Reconsidered: Strategy, Ethics and Theory.” 73
JOHN C. SANZA has a new job at Erie’s newest old hotel. Nearly 50 years after he went to work as a porter at the former Holiday Inn at West 18th and State streets, the 70-year-old Erie man finds himself working in the same location now at the front desk of the newly opened Red Roof Plus & Suites. He is retired from Steris Corp., but has worked a second job in the hotel industry throughout his career, spending 33 years at the Holiday Inn.
PATRICK P. CZYTUCK was inducted into the 2022 Metro Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Czytuck recently finished his 47th season, including 41 years at Cathedral Prep. He has coached more than 550 games, including nine state championship games.
VINCENT H. MERCURI, JR., M.ED., CACD, LPC was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission after serving 40 years in the addiction treatment profession. The award recognized his vision, leadership and commitment to the drug and alcohol field.
JOHN P. CARRIG ‘87M announced his retirement after 32 years as Gannon’s cross country coach. Carrig took over the men’s cross country program in 1990 and the women’s in 1995. During this time he built the Golden Knights into one of the top cross country programs in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
BETH D. (TALLMAN) MEINERT was promoted to senior vice president and general manager of MITRE Public Sector. She sets the strategy and growth priorities of MPS, engages key senior sponsors and oversees the work of the federally funded research and development centers that MITRE operates for civilian government agencies.
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JOSEPH G. CACCHIONE, M.D. joined Thomas Jefferson University as the organization’s new CEO. Cacchione comes from Ascension,
Gannon acknowledged our wonderful Villa and Gannon retirees with a luncheon on July 15 in the Nash Library. Drs. Keith Taylor and Walter Iwanenko along with Barbara Beuscher, Fr. Shane Mathew, retiree Jay DiFrank, and Victor E. Knight celebrated our past faculty and staff, along with family and current staff.
View our events at gannonalumni.eventbrite.com
where he served as an integral leader since 2017. Cacchione will work to advance the enterprise’s growth strategy alongside his direct reports, including Jefferson Health President Bruce A. Meyer, M.D., MBA and Thomas Jefferson University President Mark L. Tykocinski, M.D. to further shape the future of healthcare, research and professions-focused education.
DANIEL J. BORGIA, PH.D. ’86M was appointed as the new provost for Nichols College on April 1. Borgia previously served as dean and professor of finance at Bryant University-BITZH.
HARMAN, ED.D., NBCT is assistant principal of Northern Garrett High School for Garrett County Public Schools. She served as science chairperson from 1990-2013, was the supervisor of college and career readiness (2013-17) and supervisor of science and mathematics (2017-19). This is her 33rd year in Maryland’s education system, her 31st in GCPS and her fourth as assistant principal. Harman completed her Doctor of Education in 2020 from Frostburg State University. She was a former MD Biology Teacher of the Year (2001), Garrett County Teacher of the Year (2005), MD Teacher of the Year finalist (2005), Christa McAuliffe Fellow (2002), and USA Today Teacher of the Year (2001).
JEFFREY T. HOOK, MS, CFCM retired with 35 years of service in September. He served and worked for the U.S. Army, the U.S. Federal Government and NATO. He served in the Gulf War (1990-91), Bosnia (1995), Kosovo (1999) and Gulf War II (2003). He worked for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Support and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg since 2001. He now volunteers at Doctors Without Borders in Frankfurt, Germany.
SHERRI L. (FURLONG) MCCLEARY is the executive director at Digital Foundry at New Kensington.
JULIE M. (FERRICK) WILSON is chairwoman of the YMCA of Greater Erie Board of Directors. She is the second female volunteer to hold this position in YMCA history. She’s worked for 33 years at Marquette Savings Bank and is the chief financial officer.
GREGORY J. CZARNECKI is the director of applied climate science for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He presented “Climate Change and Penn’s Woods: What Does the Future Hold” focused on minimizing climate change impact on state forests and parks. He’s served as ombudsman for the PA Department of Environmental Protection, executive director of Pennsylvania’s Wild Resource Conservation Program, director of The Nature Conservancy’s PA Science Office, and consultant for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He’s taught at Gannon, Penn State Behrend and Lebanon Valley College, and is an adjunct at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
DR. KRISTINE S. LEGTERS D.SC. ‘90M received the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award by Northwestern College in Iowa. Legters serves as associate dean of Gannon’s School of Rehabilitative Services. She became a physical therapist in 1983 and has taught full-time since 1994. She is active in the American Physical Therapy Association and its Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, and in the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
BRADLEY T. ROAE is in his eighth term as the state representative for the 6th District. He participated in a questionand-answer forum hosted by the Meadville Tribune, sharing his views about important issues. He currently serves as chairman of the House Commerce Committee, is a member of the House Health Committee, and was previously chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.
The annual celebration welcomed nearly 1,000 Gannon and Villa alumni as well as current students, family and friends for a weekend of exciting events. It included several reunions and milestone anniversaries such as 90.5 WERG-FM’s 50th anniversary, the 75th anniversary of The Gannon Knight and the 60th anniversary of Phi Kappa Alpha.
Four exceptional alumni were also honored during the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards, including: (L-R above) Rev. Msgr. Robert L. Brugger, ’62; Thomas C. Guelcher ’62, ’76M; Joseph E. Kloecker ’74, ’79M; and Lt. Thomas L. Lenox, ’98; Keith Taylor, Ph.D, President.
A large number of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers (below) and guests gathered at the Awards dinner to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fraternity and recognize their brother Joe Kloecker for receiving the award.
91 KENNETH M. OGOREK ’91M assisted in coordinating the local Worldwide Synod of Bishops for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He is also on the local planning team for the national Eucharistic Revival. Ogorek is the Director of Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Indianopolis.
LORI A. (RAPE) JOINT was named interim president and CEO of the Manufacturer & Business Association, where she has served as vice president.
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GERALYNN I. (BURBULES)
VENSEL ’92M was an all-PSAC women’s volleyball player at Edinboro three times and was an all-NCAA Division II tournament selection in 1982. She was inducted into Edinboro’s athletic hall of fame in 1995 and Gannon’s in 2011 for her 1986-1994 coaching tenure, which included three Division II quarterfinal appearances.
PARRIS J. BAKER, PH.D. is a scholar-inresidence at the Jefferson Educational Society and is a contributing writer with a biweekly series “Truth in Love.” He is the director for Gannon’s social work, mortuary science and gerontology programs.
TROY E. BINGHAM, MBA is the director of soccer at SPIRE Academy. In this role he is also the program’s head coach, using his extensive experience and leadership to help players transition from high school to college and beyond.
JOHN M. BOWLER ’94M retired on July 31. He began his counseling career as a parttime therapist for Warren Pastoral Counseling from 1990-95. He received his graduate degree in psychological counseling from Gannon in 1994, and in 1995 became a part-time therapist for Family Services of Warren County, moving to full-time in 2007. He became a licensed professional counselor in 2002. He also worked with the Forest Warren Department of Human Services, serving 20 years in children’s services and more than five years in the county mental health program.
ERIC G. LAPRICE, MS ’97C, ’99M returned to his post at the Sequoia National Forest after a four-month assignment on the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, where he enjoyed capturing images of moonrises, the northern lights and wildlife.
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JANEL M. (NIEBAUER) BONSELL, CPA was appointed to Penn State
1 32 4
Allison M. Battaglia ’10, ’13M and husband, Joseph R. Kolano ’10, welcomed daughter, Anna Elizabeth Kolano, on Aug. 17.
Aaron C. Bove ’09 and wife, Liz, welcomed daughter, Hannah Elizabeth, on July 11.
Nicholas K. Devine ’17 and wife, Emily, welcomed son, Theodore, on Aug. 24 1
Stephenie A. (DiLuzio) Bojc ’01 and husband, Jeffrey, welcomed son, Jack, on Sept. 15. 2
Nancy J. (Dumm) McMullen ’18M and husband, Kelly, welcomed son, Walter Matthew, on Aug. 15. 3
Behrend’s Black School of Business as executive in residence for the 202223 academic year. Bonsell is principal and director of human resources at Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Co.
COL. MATTHEW P. BRUNO, USSF was promoted to colonel in the United States Space Force during a ceremony at the Pentagon in June. Bruno is the chief of the Warfighter Integration, Partnerships and Integration Division, and directorate of the Intelligence Headquarters of United States Space Force. He served as deputy geospatialintelligence mission manager/Eurasia for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency where he aligned and drove operations missions and organizations to achieve national defense objectives.
RICHARD R. WATKINS, M.D., MS, FACP, FIDSA, FISAC started a new position as a medical director at CVS-Aetna and was appointed a member of its Infectious Disease Advisory Team after 14 years as an infectious disease physician and clinical researcher. Watkins is a professor of medicine at the Northeast
Lisa R. (Lamperski) Whitfield ’11 and husband, Casey, welcomed son, Garrison Walter, on March 23. 4
Domenic G. Lombardi, D.M.D. ’12 and wife, Breah, welcomed son, Peter Jeffrey, on Aug. 9.
Andrea R. Mancuso ’17 and husband, Samuel Holmgren, welcomed daughter, Hayley Rose, on May 22.
Stephanie (Martinez) White ’10 and husband, Benjamin, welcomed son, Daxton, on July 6.
Ohio Medical University. He is currently the chair of the publications committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and an associate editor for several academic journals. He serves on multiple committees at the National Institutes of Health.
CHAD S. HENDRICKSON, M.D. joined Butler Health System as a dermatologist after serving as an army physician for 11 years. He was the chief of dermatology at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and the chief of dermatology at McDonald Army Health Center in Fort Eustis, Va. He obtained his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University, and completed a transitional internship and a dermatology residency at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.
JESSICA M. (SMITH) MOYER is an international speaker, author and coach who presented at the TEDxWilmingtonSalon event in September. She is the author of “Triumph Through the Tears-Finding
Committee and is a Regional Manager at Citizens Bank in Erie.
TIMOTHY M. SHINE was promoted to senior vice president in IT at Erie Insurance Group in May where he focuses on sales and product technology. Shine, most recently vice president of information technology, brings 25 years of professional technology experience to the role.
PAUL R. GRADL ’04M received the 2022 Premier Award for Engineer of the Year from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in April. Gradl is a principal engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. He was recognized for developing metal additive manufacturing techniques to meet NASA missions and industry needs.
Paul Deverse ’89 married Margaret Milliern on Nov. 13, 2021.
Kyra M. Hammond ’20 married Logan Munsee.
Allyn “Allie” M. Overfield ’15, ‘16M married Warren Fischer on April 16.
Michelle Rydzinski ’13 married Jeremi Dorsey on May 23.
Neena Sabherwal ’16 married Louis Weyand ’15 on Oct. 1. Kariann (Kozlowski) Tarquinio ’12 married Brian Tarquinio on April 23. 1
Hope and Purpose Through Loss” and “The 5 G’s to a Stronger Mindset.” As a certified Ziglar Legacy Coach, John Maxwell Coach/Trainer and ACE Personal Trainer holding many wellness certifications, she helped thousands of women transform their lives over the past twelve years.
MELISSA M. NECINA-SOBOLESKI has coached women’s volleyball coach at Edinboro University since 2005. She has 488 wins in her career that has spanned 28 seasons, including 18 at Edinboro, six at Mercyhurst and four at Gannon.
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STACY M. JUCHNO was the keynote speaker for Gannon’s Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony. Juchno is on Gannon’s Board of Trustees and is the executive vice president and general auditor for the PNC Financial Services Group.
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JENNIFER L. (HULL) SCHADE, MBA ’02M was recognized by the United Way for volunteering since 2011. She serves on the United Way’s Impact
SARA E. (BROWN) AHUJA was nominated for the CiceroNorth Syracuse sports 2022 Mount Rushmore Female Athlete. Ahuja played soccer and lacrosse for the Northstars, becoming an all-county selection in soccer and an All-CNY selection in lacrosse. She was a two-time U.S. Women’s Lacrosse Association AllAmerican. The team won its first state championship in 1995 and in 1996; she was named to the all-tournament team both years. She continued playing at Gannon and in 2000 the team ranked No. 1 in the country. In 2001, she was the Division II midfielder of the year.
NANCI L. HAIBACH is the owner of The Elsie Greer House Bed & Breakfast, which opened in July in North East, Pa. It is believed to be one of the oldest homes in Erie County, named after the woman who owned it post-Civil War.
KELLIE
’02M, ’06C was one of 96 players selected to compete in the USGA’s inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open, held in July at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Andrews, who lost most of her right arm in a car accident in 1993, currently works for Sunrise Counseling Services. She competed in the Phoenix Cup, a team tournament for disabled golfers held in Birmingham, England.
ELLIOTT J. EHRENREICH, ESQ. joined the law firm of Phillips Lytle LLP as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. Ehrenreich received his J.D., cum laude, from Duquesne University School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Gannon.
ANUJ WAHI ’03M is the founder of KanHealthcare and KHC Healthcare India Private Limited, and has sustained KHC Healthcare for more than 16 years. It is growing in India through its concept of scientific marketing and value-based selling.
SONYA M. (PYLE) WHITMAN was named the new vice president of strategic marketing and communications for Cathedral Prep, Villa Maria and Mother Teresa Academy. She was previously marketing manager at Saint Vincent Hospital, then practice manager at Hertel & Brown Physical Therapy for the last decade.
ANDREW R. PASSINGER ’05M became principal of Corry Area Middle-High School. He has 22 years of teaching experience and served as the gifted program coordinator, as well as a football and track & field coach.
BETHANY N. KRAUS now coaches girls volleyball for McDowell High School. She coached Fort LeBoeuf’s girls basketball team from 2011-14 before stepping down to start a family.
JOANNE E. HEINTZ ’08M is the new vice president of finance and administration for Cathedral Prep, Villa Maria and Mother Teresa Academy.
ANNA C. IRWIN, DO opened a new location for Clearway Pain Solutions in Bethesda, Md. in May. Irwin is a Dual Board Certified physician in anesthesiology and interventional pain management. She received her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Thomas Jefferson
Janet A. (Smith)
Allen ’70VMC
Edward J. Allgeier ’56
Paul J. Anthony ’03
Robert B. Aquilino ’86
John C. Azzatori ’57
Christopher M. Barsh ’91
Lisa M. Baughman ’03
Declan Bingham ’19, ’20M
Charles J. Blass ’62
William M. Borowy ’61
John W. Boyle ’71
Ann (Locastro) Bradford ’81
Walter W. Breindel ’73M
Carolyn M. Brookhouser ’94
Elizabeth A. (Kidwell)
Broxmeyer ’82
Linda M. Bucci ’86
Thomas D. Bull ’69
Michael W. Callahan ’99
James D. Campbell, Jr. ’61
Joyce E. (Fabian)
Carlson ’68VMC
Vincent F. Cassano, Esq. ’64
Donald G. Charters ’75M
Thomas J. Chepel ’68
Patricia (Lynch)
Christina ’60VMC
William J. Conlin ’62
Joanne E. Conti Kloss ’76
David M. Cullen ’73
Craig G. Cunningham ’74M
Anthony C. Curcio ’92M
Donald R. Curtis, PE ’62
Paul W. Czarnecki, Jr. ’86
Rachel A. deGuia ’16, ’17M
John A. Dematteo ’64
Francis J. Denslinger ’47
Caroline J. (Rutkowski)
DiPlacido ’86
Scott A. Dodson ’98
Jeffrey M. Dombrowski ’88
Joan D. (Davis)
Donnelly ’46VMC
Lawrence A. Arduini
Martin J. Badders
Fred E. Beil, Ph.D.
Cassandra Bielecki
Judith A. Bitters
JoMarie Boesch
Angela R. Brooks
Matthew J. Caster, DPT
Thomas R. Colvin
William S. Crawford
Joseph Crilley
Anthony D. Demarco, Ph.D.
Joe Ann Edmondson
Arthur J. Drexler ’63
David R. Eichelsdorfer ’63
Anastasia (McMahon)
Fenton ’65VMC
Jack R. Foht ’57
Phillip B. France ’68
Donna L. (Fontenoy) Franz ’74VMC
Jean (Kalivoda) Garcia ’64VMC
Mary M. Gaughan ’69VMC
Daniel F. Geary ’71
Richard W. Glass ’54
Charles W. Goehring II ’72
Beverly M. Gordon ’72VMC
Frank J. Gredler ’52
William H. Greenwald ’62
Susan D. Grumley ’77
David J. Guelcher ’70, ’78M
Robert H. Haibach ’55
Sister Ronald M. Hax ’80VMC
Elizabeth (Weaver) Hazen ’67VMC
Margaret R. (Crannell) Hemme ’75VMC
Douglas J. Hewitt ’58
Mazli R. (Pollock) Hook ’78VMC
Heidi K. Hosey, Ph.D. ’84VMC, ’89M
Paul H. Imig ’72
Jerry L. Johnson ’75
Robert J. Kapsar ’73
Mary J. (Cibula) Kautz ’69VMC
Joseph P. Kelly ’70
Rev. James J. Kennelley ’68
Lt. Col. Robert L. Kloecker ’72
Jason A. Kosciuszko ’02
John A. Kozak ’58
Heather A. (Curcio) Krystofiak ’97
Eileen S. (Stafford) Leto ’68VMC, ’77M
Dianne Lindey-Munson ’82VMC
Terry L. Linsted ’74 Carol Lucarotti ’93 John N. Lutz ’52
William W. Magnotto ’75M
Mary (Reuscher) Mallison ’51VMC James J. Manno ’63
Brian P. McLaughlin, MS ’85, ’87M James F. McNeill ’84
Daniel M. Meahl ’56
Rev. William C. Miller ’79 Paul E. Moran ’64
Maribeth Muckian ’81 Kevin Niako ’25
Kathleen (Petroff) Nieratko ’85VMC
Kathleen M. (Paonessa) Obert ’74VMC
Kathleen A. (Gahr) O’Connor ’94 George T. O'Donnel ’63 Dawn M. (Migdal) Olszewski ’95
Merle A. Parker ’51 Ethel L. (Mullaley) Pierce ’89VMC
Matthew S. Piglowski ’88 Mary A. Piscitelli ’70VMC
Robert J. Przybyszewski ’53
Ellen (Traynor) Purnell ’66VMC
Michelle L. Ray ’94
Julie A. (Todd) Raymond, MD ’86
William P. Repasky ’84
James J. Roward ’60 David A. Rowicki ’68
Raymond S. Rusnak ’83 David A. Schau ’72
Patricia A. (Buchanan) Schlosser ’89 James R. Schumacher ’59, ’76M Frank C. Scozzie ’68, ’72M
Christina E. (Tyrrell)
Sedler ’64VMC
Michael J. Shannon ’86
Russell H. Shumaker ’62
Betty (Duberow) Smith ’47VMC
Richard P. Sollman ’68, ’85M
Annmarie (Knotek) Soltesz ’64VMC
Maj. Francis X. Spaeder ’69
William J. Spring ’78
James A. Steber ’77, ’87M
Robert S. Stellman ’60
Edward P. Sterbank ’67
Cynthia S. (Archacki) Stone ’82M
Richard T. Straub ’61
Sister Bernadette Sullivan ’32VMC
Susan (Baldoni) Szczerbacki ’74VMC
Patricia J. (Hill) Szychowski ’69VMC Kathryn M. Terry ’94
Richard H. Thayer, Jr. ’06 Rev. Frederick D. Thompson ’71, ’72M
James E. Tingley ’67 Bradley J. Tucker ’98
Sheldon R. Van Deventer ’00, ’03M
Dr. Donald N. Vandamia ’61
Rosemarie Vandermolen ’85VMC
Vincent J. Vargo ’70
Mary R. (Kohlmiller) Vollentine ’77
John M. Wenzel ’79
Pamela G. (Nichols-Epp) Xanthopoulos ’77 Darcy A. (Knecht) Young ’73VMC Edwin L. Zeltzer ’57 Anthony P. Zeus, Jr. ’79
Cynthia A. Fiske
William P. Garvey
James L. Gregory
James F. Grise
Janet Guthrie
Bridget A. Hammar
Donald R. Hewett
Judy Hewett
Cornelius Hubert
Jean M. Joyce
Darren W. Judy
Martin W. Kaverman
William Kester
John Klier
David J. Laird
Lee F. Lampkin
Verle F. Lander
Andrew E. Larson
Philip Mangano
John J. McCormick, Jr. Taylor N. Miller
Kenneth Mottern
Ronald J. Paterniti
Joseph J. Prischak
David E. Quinlan
David J. Randall
Ann M. Rawding
Barbara A. Reichert
Gloria C. Rigazzi
Terry Seyfert
Dale E. Sherman Gerald J. Skolnik
Rev. Robert P. Susa
Denna L. Thomas
Richard D. Weaver Donald L. Wickwire
Laverne E. Yonkin Denise J. Yost
Eight Gannon alumni were recognized as part of the Erie Reader’s annual 40 Under 40 list of young professionals who have stepped forward to help transform Erie. Gannon alumni honorees include:
• Dr. Zamen Abo-Zebiba ’11, ’14M Staff Therapist, Gannon University 1
• Richard “Rick” Bowser ’19 Director, The 1020 Collective 2
• Emily Ernes ’17M, ’20M Owner, Glass Growers Gallery 3
• Jade Mitchell ’14 Creative Director, Erie Arts & Culture, Adjunct Instructor, Mercyhurst University 4
• Eric Pollock ’12M Founder, Happy Bark, Inc., Chief Architect, Erie Insurance Group 5
University, where she served as chief resident and received the Excellence in Anesthesia and the Teaching Award.
08LISA RAYMOND, FNP-BC ’08M is a certified nurse practitioner with WNY Urology, specializing in adult and pediatric urology. She’s a member of the New York State Nurse Practitioners Association and Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing.
ANTHONY R. DEMARO ’08C is superintendent for Yough School District. He previously served as Yough Intermediate School principal for three years and assistant superintendent for the Mt. Pleasant Area School District.
• Nathan Ross ’15 Assistant Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager, Northwest Bank 6
• Nicholas Sorensen ’18 Digital Content Manager, WJET-TV 24, Host, Buddycast 7
• Helen Tullio ’17 Owner, Helen Tullio Studio 8
10KYLE A. CHURMAN and his wife, Lauren Shoemaker ’12M, purchased Werner Books in March. As co-owners, they offer a book trade-in program as well as operate school book fairs throughout Erie County.
CHRISTOPHER C. FRYE, JR. was elected as a member of the Westminster College Board of Trustees in July. Frye serves on the Lawrence County YMCA Board of Directors, Foundation Boxing Board of Directors and the Pennsylvania Municipal League Executive Committee as the Northwest District Officer. He was among those to seek the Republican party’s nomination as Pennsylvania’s next lieutenant governor. He currently serves as the Mayor of New Castle.
KRISTIN E. SCHALK announced her resignation as head coach for the Ferris State University softball program. She joined the FSU program in 2017 and guided the Bulldogs to GLIAC Tournament appearances in each of her first two seasons and again to the league semifinals this past season.
KOLTEN M. HOFFMAN is being inducted into the West Middlesex Hall of Fame. Hoffman earned 12 varsity letters in his four years at West Middlesex H.S., where he was a standout in football, basketball and baseball.
LAUREN A. HOPKINS received her Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Excellence in June.
RYAN S. MAROVICH PA-C ’09M is a physician assistant who manages patients with otologic disease processes and vestibular and balance disorders. He was the national scholarship recipient of the Society of Physician Assistants in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery. Marovich was a clinical instructor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for nearly 10 years before joining Medical University of South Carolina’s Department of Otolaryngology in 2020.
LISA M. RIPPER became the Research Manager at Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health. She researches community-driven and -based approaches to address health disparities and identified health priorities.
ANJALI SAHAY, PH.D. ’11M was one of three classical Indian dancers who performed as a soloist and with a group during CelebrateErie. Sahay is an associate professor and program director of political science at Gannon.
WAYNE E. QUATTRONE II, DPT ’12M joined two doctors of physical therapy in opening a new aquatic therapy clinic in Jamestown, N.Y. HAWC Physical Therapy opened in Spring 2022, focusing on sport enhancement, recovery, injury prevention, tactical conditioning, orthopedic and neurological disorders, and post-surgical rehab.
ALLISON J. DIPLACIDO received her master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 and received her Doctorate of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in August. She works at UPMC Hamot-Erie NICU, Children’s Hospital NICU in Pittsburgh and Magee’s Women’s Hospital NICU in Pittsburgh. She is an adjunct professor at Gannon in the Morosky College’s nursing department teaching both undergraduate and graduate classes.
SHAINE R. PATSILEVAS is in his eighth season as assistant coach for Seneca Valley varsity football, working with the defensive backfield. They’ve reached the WPIAL 2016 and 2018 title games.
AMANDA K. (SHARBAUGH) SPAEDER ’13M was inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame and Gannon’s 2017 Class. She is a recordsetting goal scorer in soccer at Knoch and at Gannon.
13JAMIE E. MARTIN-STEWART
’13M was named vice president of executive support at Erie Insurance in May. Stewart previously served as corporate PMO manager within the company’s Enterprise Office after joining ERIE in 1993 as a production facilitator in commercial underwriting. 14
LAURA BLAKE ’14M is the assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Erie, where she has served as a teacher, principal and system president.
JACOB I. FAIT, PH.D. ’14M is vice president of enrollment management and financial aid at Tusculum University, where he was the dean of the College of Business. Fait helped drive 100% growth in the Master of Business Administration program and led the creation of the Master of Science in entrepreneurial leadership program.
BRANDON M. PHILLIAN ’14M is the new director of educational services for the Wilmington Area School District, where he has worked since 2009 as a high school mathematics teacher. He is also the district’s head football coach and named Pennsylvania’s Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2020 after leading the Greyhounds to back-to-back state championship game appearances.
REV. ANDREW M. BOYD was installed as pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Mercer, Pa.
15DANIEL “DANNY” J. SMITH
’15M was named Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year for the 2022 baseball season with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the New York Yankees affiliate. He began his second season as the strength coach and sixth with the Yankees organization.
BRITTANY A. BATTS was inducted as a member of the 2022 Loudoun County High School Hall of Fame in September. Batts was a four-year varsity basketball player at Loudoun, with a State Championship in 2009. She was a three-year starter at Gannon, where she finished her career with 1,152 points and four NCAA postseason appearances. She is now an assistant women’s basketball coach at Gannon.
JULIE D. MORTON, M.S., B.S.N., R.N. is the chief nursing officer and chief operating officer at Brooks-TLC Hospital System. Morton oversees all nursing activities and ensures systemwide adherence to outside regulatory and legal requirements, internal policies and procedures. She aligns all clinical and day-to-day operations– developing strategic operational plans and business growth initiatives.
ATTY. RENEE S. RICHARDSON joined The Manely Firm, P.C. as an associate attorney in December 2021 at its Atlanta office.
ELLEN E. KEHL ’16M is the director of member engagement and education for the Nonprofit Partnership of Erie. She serves on the NWPA Chapter of the Board of the Public Relations Society of America, and on the Board of the Wattsburg School District Foundation.
ANDREW R. PEIRSON anticipates a bump in playing time with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League after manning a spot on the offensive line. He made the Lions’ practice roster as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and became the starter at center by the end of season after injuries. He’s been a backup the past
two seasons and has received a handful of snaps per game as B.C.’s sixth offensive lineman.
MATTHEW BARTO won the historic 50th annual Erie District Golf Association Marquette Savings Bank Match Play Championship at Downing Golf Course. The assistant golf coach for the Golden Knights defeated No. 4-seeded Alex Weir.
PAUL D. VOJTEK ’19M is the clinical director for Benchmark Physical Therapy’s newest outpatient clinic in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Vojtek is a manual therapist and is certified in dry needling for the spine and extremities.
ANDREW J. HAMILTON was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Greensburg by Bishop Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L., in May. He has since served at St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Mary (Nativity) Parish and St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish.
CHLOE E. FORBES is a reporter at The Corry Journal. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Gannon.
ALYSSA M. PONTIOUS ’22M passed the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and accepted an Acute Care Occupational Therapist position at UPMC in Erie. She was a member of Gannon’s Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society.
LINDON N. KING accepted a fulltime job with the Virgin Islands Department of Labor. He was a member of Gannon’s McNair Scholars Program and Black Student Union.
Find additional Class Notes and photos at magazine. gannon.edu/Nov2022
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