Spring 2012
Web 2.0 Gannon’s website gets an upgrade – read more on p. 7.
In this Issue: Travel the world with Alternative Break Service Trips (p. 6) and the Golden Knight Quest (p. 14).
Vol. XXV, No. 3 • Spring 2012 Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President Karla Wludyga Director of Public Relations and Communications Audrey E. Starr Publications Officer and Editor starr007@gannon.edu (814) 871-5817
advisory committee Thomas Camillo Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C Britt Dyer Daehnke ’98, ’05M Caroline DiPlacido ’86 Kathy Felong ’83 Cathy Fresch Frank Garland Mary Carol Gensheimer Susan Haarman Andrew Lapiska ’09M Joe Mattis ’69 Jerry Miele ’73, ’85M Catherine Oakley ’05M Rick Prokop, DSL Nicholas Pronko ’10M
inklings
Editor, Audrey E. Starr As a new parent, I get asked a lot of questions. How much does he weigh? Who does he look like? Is he sleeping through the night? But so far, my hands-down favorite inquiry is, “How can I help?” Whether it’s running a load of laundry or offering a friendly ear, having the support of family and friends makes any big change easier. Gannon University has experienced its share of change this year as well and has many people to thank for helping make this time of transition a smooth one. In November 2011, more than 1,000 alumni, employees, students and friends helped Gannon formally welcome its seventh president, Keith Taylor, Ph.D., with an inauguration celebration. Gannon’s new Global Visitors Program welcomed its first students this spring—read all about this cutting-edge initiative on p. 2. The University has also revised its Mission statement (p. 32) to better clarify our vision and reflect our purpose in preparing graduates who will leave Gannon with a sense of faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility. Since we can all use a little help now and then, Gannon Magazine collected 25 tips and tricks from around campus and our alumni network that will help you stress less, laugh more, eat better—and beyond. Need to know the secret to remembering someone’s name or simple ways to maintain a budget? Turn to p. 8 to learn what works.
photography Ed Bernik Rick Klein ’84 Tim Rohrbach
design Tungsten Creative Group
Want to help get the word out about how great Gannon is, but not sure how? On p. 14, you’ll read about an exciting new alumni challenge that will help you reconnect with former classmates and learn more about those you haven’t met. One dozen Golden Knights are setting off on a quest around the globe to reach as many Gannon and Villa Maria alumni as possible before homecoming, and we need your help to make sure they get the most out of their journey! If a Knight arrives in your mailbox, please snap a picture with the mascot and pass it along to a fellow alumnus/a to spread the Gannon love.
printing Knepper Press
special thanks Paul DeSante, Ph.D. Jana Hunt
class notes and address changes Jana Hunt Coordinator of Gifts and Records hunt001@gannon.edu (814) 871-7469 Gannon Magazine is published three times annually (Winter, Spring and Summer) by the Office of Public Relations and Communications at Gannon University. Letters to the editor, class notes information, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please note that Gannon Magazine is produced approximately three months in advance of the actual publication date. Submissions received after production has begun will be included in a subsequent issue. All submissions are subject to editing. Gannon University • 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 • (814) 871-7000 www.gannon.edu
Graduate education student Dinah Butt enjoys the modern functionality of Gannon’s redesigned website, which can be viewed on most e-readers and smartphones.
There’s much more: p. 4 tells you about Gannon’s nationally ranked community service efforts, like this year’s new Alternative Break Service Trip locations (p. 6), while an increased focus on helping student veterans has garnered the University a “military-friendly” ranking (p. 4). I hope these stories inspire you to lend a hand and appreciate those who offer their help as well.
mission Statement Gannon Magazine honors the history, mission and strategic goals of Gannon University by serving as a forum to celebrate University achievements and engaging the entire Gannon community in the institution’s continued success.
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contents
features
The Gannon University Magazine Spring 2012
8 25 Things You Need to Know How to Do
Read it today; thank us tomorrow when your lunch is a bit healthier and your budget is under control.
14 The Golden Knight Quest Where in the world is the Gannon Knight? Wherever you are! Help us spread the GU love near and far with this exciting alumni challenge.
The Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L., Bishop of Erie, blesses Keith Taylor, Ph.D., as Gannon’s newest president. Trautman has blessed three of Gannon’s seven presidents.
Did you know Gannon has Wi-Fi available in our buildings for alumni and friends visiting campus? Here, students make use of the service in Waldron Campus Center.
departments
on the cover
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newsnotes alumnifocus facultyfocus sportsscan alumnotes endnotes
News, Notes and Quotables
newsnotes
Gannon Celebrates Catholic Education Gannon welcomed Todd David Whitmore, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker for the University’s Thomas J. and Mary H. Loftus Lecture on Catholic Thought and Action. The lecture was held Jan. 31 as the focal point of the University’s Celebration of Catholic Education Week. Whitmore’s lecture, “The Coherence of Catholic Social Teaching: A Framework for the Global Economic Crisis,” offered a broad overview of Catholic social teaching and contemporary social issues and concerns. Whitmore is associate professor of theology and director of the program in Catholic social tradition at the University of Notre Dame. Whitmore co-edited the book series The Catholic Social Tradition and has written extensively on poverty, war, genocide and other topics. He is also co-founder of PeaceHarvest, a non-governmental organization that combines agricultural training with peace-building in Uganda and south Sudan. Other events that week, which honored Gannon’s Catholic Tradition and celebrated the role faith plays in campus life, included a Faith Field Day (a fun-filled competition between students from faith-sharing and other student groups), men’s and women’s basketball games and a Community Mass that included a prayerful recommitment to the defining traits of Gannon’s Catholic Identity.
Todd David Whitmore, Ph.D. (left), with Thomas ’56, ’74M and Mary Loftus, whose gift to The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign established an endowed fund for the lecture.
Global Visitors Program Welcomes First Students Eleven students from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in Singapore came to Gannon this spring for one three-month-long experiential learning program in electrical and computer engineering. This first group in the University’s new Global Visitors Program (GVP) began their studies March 5 and will remain until the end of May. In addition, one Pakistani student spent the spring semester studying at Gannon through the 2011-12 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan. Myra Sajid, who is a student at Fatima Jinnah Women University, attended Gannon as a fellow and took several business administration courses. The experience allows Global UGRAD-Pakistan fellows, such as Sajid, to gain exposure to American values like diversity, faith and family, and civic engagement. As part of the Global UGRADPakistan program, Sajid was required to participate in community service as well as cultural activities that may include those offered to Gannon’s current international students. She also facilitated several “passport talk-back” sessions designed to allow her to educate others on Pakistan and its history and culture.
The Global Visitors from Singapore pose for a picture in one of Gannon’s engineering labs: (Front Row, L to R) Derrick Loke, Ivan Chua, Jerich Chia and Pathmanathan Jaganathan; (Back Row, L to R) Aung San Pyay, Zhihong Ng, Kevin Tan and Danny Ng. Not pictured: Wei Shuen Heng, Jesslyn Sim and Hui Han Teo. 02
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The GVP at Gannon is a new initiative of the University’s International Student Office (ISO) and is designed to bring groups and individuals to campus for short-term, non-degree study. The program’s objectives include helping participants become more familiar with American culture and the educational system.
Cooney-Jackman Endowed Speaker Series Begins The inaugural Cooney-Jackman Endowed Speaker Series in Energy and the Environment kicked off on Oct. 20, 2011, with speaker John R. Hanger, special counsel with the law firm Eckert Seamans and a nationally recognized expert on the environment, energy, gas drilling and green economy issues. The endowed professorships are funded by and named in honor of two Gannon alumni, C. Christopher Cooney ’63 and Brian Jackman ’63, and allow Gannon faculty to focus on research and other scholarly work.
Literary Art Magazine Receives First Place Award Gannon University’s literary art magazine, Totem, was honored by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) with a First Place with Special Merit Award in the ASPA’s annual magazine competition. It also received the association’s award for Most Outstanding College Literary Art Magazine for 2011. This is the 16th consecutive year Totem has earned a first-place award in the competition. “This particular issue has an innovative design in that it has three separate books, one for poetry, one for prose and one for art,” said Berwyn Moore, associate professor of English at Gannon and adviser to the publication.
Rick Diz, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor and chair of the environmental science and engineering department, gave the spring lecture on April 2, titled, “The Case for Human-Induced Climate Change in Erie and Around the Globe.” His presentation included a showing of the Oscar-nominated documentary Sun Come Up about a Pacific island threatened by rising sea levels. Combined, more than 100 people attended both events. Diz and Greg Andraso, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, were the first two faculty to be approved for the Cooney-Jackman professorships, which run through August 2013.
Lambda Sigma Recognized as Honor Chapter Alpha Sigma, Gannon’s campus chapter of Lambda Sigma (a national honor society for college and university sophomores), has been designated by the national executive board as an Honor Chapter. This is the highest recognition given by Lambda Sigma. To receive Julia Liex, 2012-13 president the honor, the Alpha Sigma chapter (left), and Harjoat Singh, 2011-12 president, continue the awardhad to: send a student representative winning Lambda Sigma tradition. to attend the organization’s national convention; submit content for Lambda Sigma’s magazine, The Diamond; demonstrate strong and consistent attendance at meetings; and engage in a community service project. Members donated essential items and school supplies to Erie’s McKinley Elementary School and visited with children there. The award reflects the chapter’s work during the 2010-11 Academic Year. Sher-Ron Jones, assistant director in the Office of Student Living, and Nancy Kujawinski, secretary for the University’s Office of Student Organizations and Leadership Development, served as advisers.
newsnotes
Said Tomee Barnes ’11, a recent English graduate who served as editor, “Every year, our contributors push their artistic talents to the limit so as to develop truly innovative pieces. This year, we risked changing the award-winning format so that the design would be just as groundbreaking as the content.”
Hanger’s lecture, “Gas Drilling in Pennsylvania and America’s Energy Choices,” focused on the Marcellus Shale gas drilling controversy and its environmental consequences. Prior to entering private practice, Hanger served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for more than two years under then-Gov. Ed Rendell. Hanger is also a former commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, making him one of two Pennsylvanians to have held both posts.
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newsnotes
Gannon Recognized as MilitaryFriendly Gannon was recently named to the 2012 list of MilitaryFriendly Schools developed by G.I. Jobs Magazine, a publication that serves as a resource for veterans. Only about 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationally were named to the list. Those schools are “making the grade” by offering scholarships, financial assistance and other services and resources for those who served.
Gannon is a participating university in the Yellow Ribbon Program, established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The program allows colleges and universities to voluntarily work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund tuition and fee expenses beyond the VA’s maximum academic year rate of $17,500. “Over the last several years, the number of veterans attending Gannon has more than doubled,” said Sharon Krahe ’95, ’01, ’07M, director of financial aid at Gannon. “More than 60 of our students currently are receiving some type of veterans’ benefits. We are proud to be able to support the men and women who served their country and now wish to pursue a college degree.” As of the Spring 2012 Semester, retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Ron Swift has come on board as the new veteran financial aid and enrollment counselor. He previously served as executive officer and assistant professor of military science at Gannon from 2002 until his retirement in 2011. His total time on active duty with the Pennsylvania National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve covers more than 40 years, beginning with military duty in Vietnam in 1970. 04
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Living the Mission Gannon’s Mission statement specifically includes a commitment to serving others and the community, and in March, the University was recognized for this dedication by being named to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, with Distinction, by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Annual events like Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Light Up A.J.’s Way, Take Back the Night and more, in addition to special projects like Habitat for Humanity, help the Gannon community continue to serve those in need. In honor of the Presidential Inauguration, members of Gannon’s Student Government Association planned a book drive to benefit the Martin Luther King Center. More than 250 books (and bookshelves!) were donated to create a lending library at the Center. Here, President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., visits the Center on Feb. 7 to read his favorite children’s book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Security Corporal John Coleman and senior psychology major Claren Harris entertain children at the 34th annual Social Work Club Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair, held Dec. 4, 2011. More than 350 attendees were treated to a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and were able to meet with representatives from local health and human service agencies.
More than $15,000 was raised at the fifth annual Pink Zone event, hosted by the women’s basketball team to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. All funds benefited the Erie Unit of the American Cancer Society. Shown here are Lady Knight seniors Becky Innes (left) and Caitlyn Lowe.
Deryk Joseph (left) and Siobhan Brown were among the Gannon students participating in the citywide Memorial March held in observance of Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 16. The marchers walked from Perry Square to the MLK Center on Chestnut Street. The University also held a prayer service and a luncheon to mark the day.
A celebration of student, faculty and staff accolades
knightlights by Courtney Lewis
Students Produce Children’s Book for a Cause Three Gannon students spread educational Christmas cheer when their class project blossomed into a creative service opportunity last semester. Andrew Boyd, a sophomore seminarian, Lauren Ropelewski, a sophomore, and Ryan Ravis, a senior seminarian, created a Christmas children’s book and then printed and sold copies to raise funds for local underprivileged children. The book sales raised $243 for Emmaus Ministries, which the students chose in part because the organization benefits the Kids’ Café, where many Gannon students volunteer. Originally having written the book as a project for Advanced Composition class, the group worked with their professor, Ann Bomberger, Ph.D., to stretch the book’s impact beyond the class requirement. The Gannon Press printed the book, funded by donations from the Office of Service-Learning, the Office of Mission and Ministry and the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences dean’s office, allowing 100 percent of the proceeds to be donated to Emmaus Ministries. The books were sold personally through the students and at Gannon’s One Green World Café, an appropriate reflection of the book’s global nature. Titled Christmas with Pen Pals, the book focused on the diverse Christmas traditions of 12 different countries, highlighting holiday celebrations outside of the U.S. The student group chose the topic because they wanted children to see that many diverse customs exist beyond our national borders. “What we do in the U.S. isn’t the only way to do it,” Boyd said. “There are tons of different ways.” Boyd said that Bomberger helped the group brainstorm a topic for the class and then later proposed the idea of book sales, helping to launch the larger project. Philosophy majors Boyd, Ropelewski and Ravis hoped the book would educate as well as raise funds. “We knew the money would be put to good use,” Boyd said. “We didn’t expect the project to get this big, but it was a good experience.”
All proceeds from A Christmas with Pen Pals benefited Erie’s Emmaus Ministries.
What else are students, faculty and staff doing? Visit www.gannon.edu/ News-and-Events/Accolades for a full listing of their recent accomplishments.
Staff Member Honored for Service Efforts One of Gannon’s own has been honored for the service work she has performed with an award that she called an “unexpected affirmation.” Jessie Badach Hubert, assistant director of the Center for Social Concerns, is a recipient of the “Pay it Forward” award, announced by the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP). The award is intended to help curb brain drain in northwestern Pennsylvania and encourage acts of kindness. The Pay it Forward Fund was established in 2011 by the Charles McDaniel family of North East, Pa., and the Erie Community Foundation and will make a grant to Hubert to be applied to the principal on her student loans.
Photo contributed by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership
Lewis is a senior English major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.
“I realized that through my vocation and ministry, I’m helping to also pay tribute to her husband,” Hubert said. “It really moved me. Mr. McDaniel passed away before the application process, and hearing his family say how proud he would have been was very powerful.” Hubert said she enjoys her position at the Center for Social Concerns, where she has worked for nearly two years. “I’m attracted to higher education because I’m passionate about a lot of systemic social justice issues,” she said. “I can’t work on all of these issues as one person, but I hope to have an exponential impact by motivating students.” Hubert also said she appreciates Gannon’s strong commitment to its Mission. “As we increase the number of international service trips and Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability) efforts, I think that shows the lasting relevance of a Catholic education and Gannon’s Mission,” she said. Hubert’s family encouraged her to submit her winning application essay for the Pay it Forward award, which was presented to Hubert in November 2011.
newsnotes
(L to R) Colleen Bahm, member of the Charles McDaniel family, Jessie Badach Hubert, assistant director of Gannon's Center for Social Concerns, Kevin Moore, vice president of stewardship and regional affiliates at The Erie Community Foundation, and Mary Bula, vice president of the growth partnership division of the ERCGP.
The fund’s establishment fulfilled a dream of the late Mr. McDaniel, who played a role in Hubert’s appreciation for the award. Hubert said the look on Mrs. McDaniel’s face as she shook her hand was her favorite part of receiving the honor.
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ABST 2012 During his Inaugural address, President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., spoke extensively about the importance of service and volunteerism. He put those words into action during the University’s spring break by joining seven Gannon students on an Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) to Croix-desBouquets, a suburb of Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince, to work in an orphanage. The group interacted with the children, teaching them sewing, first aid and basic computing, among other subjects. Their trip is one of four ABSTs made by Gannon students and staff this year, and all of them represent new destinations for the program. • Fifteen students and three staff leaders spent the week in Joplin, Mo., helping with tornado relief efforts in the area, including rebuilding projects.
The Gannon group with employees from International Samaritan and Catholic Relief Services in Petionville, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
• Seven students, one staff member and one faculty member helped with a number of building projects, including a greenhouse and housing, in El Salvador. The trip also included a social justice component in that the team visited a number of sites related to the Salvadoran Civil War. • Seven Gannon students and one staff member provided aid to L’Arche Daybreak, a community for individuals with emotional, physical or intellectual disabilities, in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Students (L to R) Don Breakey, James Erdman, Adam Hoffman and Ashley Forbes and Gannon Catholic House Coordinator Maddie du Breuil help fellow Joplin, Mo., volunteer Larry (center) rebuild homes.
Gannon recently said “thank you” to two longtime members of the faculty: David Gustafson ’71, ’73M of biology (left) and Robert Nelsen, Ed.D., of psychology. Gustafson and Nelsen each were honored for 40 years of service during a ceremony held Feb. 3. More than 100 other Gannon colleagues who celebrated milestone years of service also were honored at the University’s annual Service Recognition Ceremony. 06
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in the details A closer look at Gannon, behind the scenes
Gannon Launches Redesigned Website Gannon University has been live online since 1995, and as of Feb. 6, it now has a fresh new look— the first redesign since November 2003. Last year, the Gannon website averaged nearly 80,000 external visitors per month and experienced over 3.1 million external page views for the year. From how to apply to what’s on the cafeteria menu, you’ll find it at www.gannon.edu.
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Prominent tabs provide the most popular information, like admissions and athletics, in just one click. Overall, the redesign process took nearly a year to complete. “Datatel was contracted to develop the initial navigation and design of the website. Meanwhile, Gannon staff were involved in the population of the content across the entire website, a significant undertaking that involved all aspects of the University and various departments, from admissions to student life,” explained Webmaster Mike Gorski ’11M.
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The new design features lots of campus photographs that illustrate Gannon’s main tenets: faith, service, academics, successful graduates and global initiatives. And say cheese: the University snaps upwards of 10,000 pictures each year. An updated EventCal module is another feature of the revamped site. In addition to a central location on Gannon’s home page, users can now download events directly to their personal calendars (like Outlook or Google) and register for events online.
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An up-to-the-minute newsfeed puts University happenings front and center. From guest speakers like Matthew Roloff of the TLC reality show, “Little People, Big World,” to an announcement of Gannon’s inclusion in the latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges,” you can find it here.
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Easy access to all of Gannon’s social media sites can be found at the bottom of the home page. The University’s Facebook page reached 5,000 “likes” on Feb. 4, while its YouTube channel has had nearly 93,000 video views. 07
25 Things You Need to Know
How to Do
Tips, tricks, advice and useful information from the best experts we could find—the GU community.
Author Oscar Wilde once said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” Since the Gannon community is ripe with diverse talents and knowledge, Gannon Magazine compiled a few of the best tips from alumni, faculty, staff and students. Have trouble remembering people’s names? There’s a trick for that. Can’t resist your sweet tooth? Check out this list of alternatives. Have your own advice to share? Log on to www.gannonalumni.org and start the conversation! 08
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How to live a healthy life Healthy living simply is what you make it, so make it good. Choose colorful and unprocessed foods; your body will thank you. Get to know portion sizes; they’re your friend. Limit your fats and artificial sweeteners; they’re not your friends. When you have a chance to walk, climb stairs or play with your kids—do it. Too much time is spent on the next best thing, when all you have to do is live healthy. Suzanne Kitts, M.Ed., ATC Instructor, Sport and Exercise Science
My mom says they love to get baby and wedding pictures too— so email them to starr007@ gannon.edu!"
How to submit a class note Got a promotion, had a baby, or received an award? We know our alumni are doing great things—so share your news with us! There are two easy ways to submit a class note: send an email to hunt001@gannon.edu or log on to the online alumni community at www.gannonalumni.org and click “My Class Notes” at the top of the page. And don’t forget a picture! Submissions appear in the AlumNotes section of Gannon Magazine as well as the GU eNEWS, Gannon’s monthly alumni e-newsletter. Audrey Starr Editor, Gannon Magazine and GU eNEWS
How to “go green” Buying locally made products and locally grown food reduces the environmental impact of transporting goods over long distances. For example, when you buy an apple in-season from a nearby farmer instead of an apple grown in New Zealand, you are reducing the use of oil and jet fuel, as well as traffic congestion and air pollution. Local purchasing is also “green” by keeping your dollars in the community, helping your economy to thrive. Gretchen Fairley, Founding Member, Gannon Goes Green Committee and Director, Office of Service-Learning
How to dance the tango My first lesson in how to tango was, actually, how to walk. Walking, in tango, is more like gliding—and it is as fundamental to the dance as is the difference between the man’s and woman’s roles: the man leads, the woman follows. Dance is very culturally embedded— meaning that the protocol when dancing (how close or far to be from your partner, the moves you make when dancing, etc.) is laced with meaning, which means that it is very easy to offend someone from another culture you are dancing with. So my advice? Brush up on the dance’s cultural norms in advance.
Jason Steinberg Associate Director, International Student Office 09
How to pray One of the comments that I hear frequently is, “I don’t know how to pray.” I believe their question really is, “How do I begin to have a connection or relationship with God?” I answer, simply! What I mean by that is, don’t overthink prayer. Simply have a conversation with God as you would your best friend. Then, be still and listen for God’s response. This is the more difficult part. We want to move from talking (which is us in control) to listening (God in control). Remember, just as with any close friendships that we have, which we must put time and energy into, so it is with prayer…we must show up.
Deacon Steve Washek ’90, ’05M Director, Campus Ministry
How to proofread effectively Proofreading is as much about appreciating your own creation as it is correcting your mistakes. Care about what you write; you’re more apt to be thoughtful of its flow, syntax and punctuation. I always read my words out loud before I send them—sometimes to several people. Don’t be romanced by the quick text. Write a letter, on paper, with a pen. Strive to spell words correctly without spell-check. Never take language for granted; using language well is an art. Elizabeth Kons ’06M Director, University Writing Center and English adjunct faculty
How to stress less Despite the inevitability of stress, it does not have to overcome us! How we perceive stress is what affects our quality of life. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your body, your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment and the way you manage problems. Being able to control stress through positive coping skills is the key to living a happy and productive life. Try various stress management strategies, such as exercise, eating well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep, relaxation, counseling, meditation or just hugging a friend. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. Become aware of the signs of your own stress, and determine techniques that help you cope in a positive manner.
Stephen Large, Psy.D. Director, Student Counseling Services
How to resist food cravings Sometimes it’s boredom driving the food craving, so wait 20 minutes and during that time find something to do: phone a friend, take a quick walk, check your email, or, my favorite, give yourself a manicure—you can’t eat with wet nail polish! If, after 20 minutes, you still have the craving, eat a small amount and savor it…generally, you really only taste the first three bites of food. Melissa Lesniewski Weight Watchers Leader and Secretary, New Student Services 10
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How to survive Mardi Gras Stay out. Look up. Hold it. These three phrases are all you need to know to survive Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Stay Out – Stay out of the French Quarter after 7 p.m. Although most parades end in the French Quarter, their routes wind all the way through the city, and the best places to watch are not in the Quarter, where you’ll be packed like sardines and stepping in goodness knows what. Look up – Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to “show” anything to get beads. Catching them is easy—just have your hand up, look excited and yell. But, all the free stuff comes at a price. Make sure you are looking up at all times, or you are likely to get nailed in the head by a high-velocity throw or tackled by a 70-year-old woman trying to get that light-up tiara. Hold it – Public consumption laws are looser in New Orleans, but eventually all the drinks you are enjoying have to come out. Urinating in public will get you arrested for public exposure and thrown in jail until Ash Wednesday. If you don’t know where the nearest toilet is—HOLD IT! Susan Haarman Associate Director, Campus Ministry
Haarman, seen here on the far right during Gannon’s Alternative Break Service Trip to New Orleans in 2011, fell in love with the city while in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp; after Hurricane Katrina, she returned seven times leading service trips and has twice raised money for recovery by competing in Half Ironman Triathlons there.
How to make people laugh Attempting to be funny in your writing is risky. If it’s not done well, you look foolish and worse, you can’t erase it. But given time and a creative mind, it’s possible. Step One: Don’t make your setup obvious. Try to surprise them with the joke like you’re the Publisher’s Clearing House. Step Two: Write out the point you want to get across. Step Three: Revise. Contemplate how to get your point across while using allusions, metaphors or similes that your audience can relate to. A shared response by you and your audience is critical.
Zack McDermott Editor-in-Chief, The Gannon Knight
How to take a nap First, you must be tired. If you are not tired, you cannot take a nap, and you will just lie there and look weird. Next, you must have the proper equipment to take a nap: a comfortable surface, preferably a bed, couch or even the floor (if you’re in a chair, assume a reclining position); a pillow (no one wants to wake up with that dreaded crick in the neck); a blanket (optional, up to your discretion). Last, close your eyes. If you have trouble falling asleep, begin slowly counting backwards from 100. Sweet dreams!
Mitchell Losey Freshman political science major (who can often be found napping in the Commuter Corner lounge)
How to transform the world
How to cry on cue
Catholic Relief Services recently published a book called Solidarity Will Transform the World. Solidarity is the principle that we are all interconnected and interdependent. My choices affect people all over the world, and their choices affect mine. We are one human family responsible for creating justice through dismantling social structures that limit or prevent human flourishing, and building systems that allow all to reach their full potential. Living in solidarity is transformative. It can cause you to pause and consider others, especially the poorest of the poor, when you choose what to buy, what to eat, what to read, where to give your money, how to lobby your government, what career path to take and how to spend time with your family, friends, strangers and neighbors.
Long ago, an acting teacher used to tell us to think of something sad, like the death of a pet or personal rejection, but my dark sense of humor always chuckled at the thought. Now, when I need to cry on cue, I use a physiological approach: soften the eyes, breathe shallow and try not to cry...and before I know it, the floodgates open!
Arlene Montevecchio Director, Center for Social Concerns
Rev. Shawn Clerkin ’86 Associate Professor of Theatre 11
How to get started investing
How to remember someone’s name One trick is to use what’s called the name-face association. When you meet someone, quickly scan their face and identify the most distinctive feature. Once you hear their name, think of a concrete object that’s easy to imagine, then quickly combine the two to form an image. For example, when you meet Ray, you could think of a ray of light. You also notice that he has unusually small ears, so imagine the ray of light going in one ear and out the other. The next time you meet, conjure up this image, and you’ll remember his name. Another tip is to say the person’s name out loud as soon as you’re introduced, and then try to repeat the name several times over the course of the next few hours. If you draw a blank, get creative and try to find a way for the other person to say their name. Ryan Leonard, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Psychology
You decided now is the time to prepare for your future. With unlimited choices, here are three tips to get you started: 1) Pay off your credit cards. Freeing yourself from an 18 percent credit card is the equivalent of making a guaranteed 18 percent investment. 2) Contribute to your employer’s retirement plan. Your employer’s match is free money that you will not earn elsewhere. 3) Start now. Pay down debt, contribute to your retirement plan, or open an investment account today. Albert Einstein called “compound interest” the most powerful force in the universe, let it work for you.
Michael W. Bishop, CFA ’91, Founder and President, Bishop & Company Investment Management LLC (Erie, Pa.)
How to make a great first impression Prepare for the moment; know thyself and the audience you're meeting. Dress appropriately. Be on time. Use good manners: demonstrate gratitude and say thank you (not everyone does). Present your professional self. Deliver a firm handshake, and look them in the eye. Smile. Develop a 30-second elevator speech. Seek first to understand, then to be understood, as Stephen Covey suggests in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason; listen twice as much as you talk. Be humble. Ask questions. Utilize your resources— Career Development and Employment Services is available for assistance for both students and alumni (call 814-871-7680).
John C. White, M.A., NCC ’95, Assistant Director, Academic and Career Advising and Coordinator, Undeclared Program
How to ride the bus First, figure out where you want to go, and then find the route. Look for a bus stop sign or any intersection along the route of your destination. Read the sign on the front of the bus that is marked with the name and the number of the route it serves. At an intersection, place both hands in the air to get the driver’s attention and stop the bus (if you’re not obvious, they may think you’re just taking a walk). And don’t forget—in Erie, if you have your Gannon ID, you ride for FREE!
Landis Erwin Marketing Manager, the “e” (Erie’s public transit authority) and SGA President 12
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How to select a wine Selecting a great bottle of wine doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Many wine producers rely heavily on publications, wine writers, Web-based forums and testing institutes to assess quality and rate their products in a subjective and objective manner. My suggestion is to find a reliable source that matches your likes and preferences in wine and let this be your guide. Since wineries and vineyards have blossomed across the country, I strongly recommend that you visit a winery near you, experience their philosophy, sample and learn for yourself. Some of the finest wines that will give you much enjoyment never leave the region in which they are produced. Cheers!
Robert Mazza ’72 Co-founder and sole proprietor, Mazza Vineyards (North East, Pa.)
How to catch the elusive muskellunge The Allegheny River, Tamarack Lake and Pymantuning Reservoir highlight some of the best musky water, not only in the state, but in the northeastern U.S. The most common types of baits used to catch this “fish of 10,000 casts” are bucktail spinners and large minnow imitating lures. The most difficult part in musky fishing is locating them. These prehistoric creatures are at the top of the freshwater food chain and are not as plentiful as your common bass or trout. Muskies tend to utilize structure such as weeds, rocks, logs and underwater humps because they tend to be ambush predators waiting for an easy meal to get in close proximity. While muskies can be caught anytime during the calendar year, most musky anglers prefer summer and fall.
James “Red” Childress ’06M Owner, Allegheny Guide Service and Teacher, Falconer, N.Y., School District
Childress with a 51-inch musky he caught (and released) on March 1, 2012.
How to take a good picture
(1) Uncluttered Backgrounds. Before you pull the trigger, take a careful look at what is behind your subject. Is it even in tone? Uncluttered? Also, watch for branches and lampposts growing out of heads and shoulders. Step to the right or left, change your angle, seek out a different background—anything to keep the focus on your subject and away from your background. (2) Frame Carefully. Most often, the photographer is too far away on people portraits and shows the feet, the sidewalk and the sewer grate. Other times, they are too close and crop the heads or do not put the background in proper context. As you are framing the picture, ask yourself, “What is the most important part of the scene? What needs to be included? Excluded?” (3) Sunshine: friend or foe? Direct sunshine on a subject’s face can ruin a good picture. Sun on the face during most of the day is a no-no: the subject squints and the light is too bright and unflattering. So, if you find yourself having to take pictures at midday, put the sun on the subject’s back and add a flash on the face.
Paul Lorei ’93M, Owner, Lorei Portraits (Erie, Pa.) & Certified Professional Photographer with Professional Photographers of America
How to garden organically How to safely take your child’s temperature The current recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that a digital thermometer can be used to take a rectal, oral or axillary temperature (follow package instructions). A tympanic (ear) thermometer is another option for older babies and children. Mercury thermometers should not be used at any time. Ask your child’s health care provider for their preference. If your child is two months old or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit, this is considered a fever. If your child is between two and six months old and has a temperature of 103° or higher, this may indicate a need to contact the child’s primary care provider. If your child is over one year old and the fever lasts for over 24 hours, this may indicate a need to seek immediate medical attention.
Karen Lumia, M.S., RN Lisa Quinn, Ph.D., CRNP, MSN ’82VMC Karen Kelley, BSN, RN ’07 Faculty, Villa Maria School of Nursing
How to sell or stage your house quickly Buyers are not just looking for a roof over their heads, they are looking for an improved lifestyle. Staging your home helps create an emotional purchase and will generate more money for you as the seller. Curb appeal is crucial! Hang a wreath on the door and put a welcome mat on the porch. Review each room, and pretend you are a buyer looking at it for the very first time; fix the deferred maintenance. Clean, clean, clean! Remove all wallpaper. Paint any room in need of it. Are the colors today’s colors? Remove furniture from overcrowded rooms and rearrange remaining furniture; this makes the room look bigger. Clear kitchen countertops and place fresh flowers on the table. In the bathrooms, clear all toiletry items, hang new hand towels, shut shower curtains and close toilet lids. Reorganize closets, the garage and the basement. Dust off outdoor furniture, put up the patio umbrella and display a pitcher of lemonade. On showing days, turn on all lights and have soft music playing. And if you have the energy, bake some cinnamon rolls for your guests!
Mary Nelson-Huffman ’92 Licensed Realtor, Marsha Marsh Real Estate Services (Erie, Pa.)
How to take a one-day vacation in PA Whether you’re a current student, local resident or returning to Pennsylvania for the first time since graduation, there are lots of places to go in the Commonwealth to spend a day’s worth of leisure time. Here are my top five go-to spots: • Cook Forest State Park – one of the oldest forests in Pennsylvania and great for camping; • Strasburg, Pa. – home to a train museum with lots of model train layouts; • Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pa. – provides a small and free amusement park that kids love; • The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania in Wellsboro – our own version of the famous site; • The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia – a wonderful science museum for all ages.
Carl Hoegerl, D.O. ’97, Staff Neurologist at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., and a seasoned traveler
When you want to control pests and weeds in your garden, you can turn to these common household items instead of using harsh chemicals: • Control red spider mites by spraying plants with a weak brew of coffee. • Weed killer: 1 gallon vinegar, 1 cup table salt, 1 tablespoon dish soap. • Potting soil booster: 2 cups dry oatmeal, 2 cups crushed dog food, pinch human hair and 1 ½ teaspoon sugar. • Mole chaser: 2 tablespoons hot sauce, 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 quart water • Deer buster: 2 eggs, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons hot sauce, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 cups water • Aphid-away spray: 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon baby shampoo, 2 cups water
Galen Adams ’04C, ’07 Custodial Supervisor and Coordinator, Gannon Goodwill Garden
How to protect yourself from email phishing scams Phishing is an identity-theft scam that uses “spoofed” or fake emails and websites to trick people into giving out personal information, such as credit card numbers, usernames and passwords or Social Security numbers. ALWAYS be suspicious of unsolicited email. If you are not sure, call the sender to validate. NEVER respond to an email request for personal information. Organizations you do business with already know your account information and will never request it in an email. NEVER click links in a suspicious email. Simply ignore and delete the email. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS keep your password private. Don’t write your password down, provide it to anyone else or make it easy to guess.
Mark Jordano ’86, ’94M, Director, Information Technology Services
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Victor E. Knight
Nash
Wehrle
Finegan
Beyer
Archie
Schuster
Wergy
Sims
Mary
W.T.
With more than 33,500 Gannon and Villa Maria alumni spread across every state and more than 50 countries, we know there’s a powerful network of University pride out there—and now is your chance to show it! Starting this spring, Gannon’s Alumni Services Office mailed one dozen Golden Knights to alumni around the globe, and we need your help to keep them traveling from classmate to classmate until this year’s homecoming celebration. Awards (including most miles traveled, most visits within a class decade, best photo, and more) will be presented during the 2012 Alumni Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 19-21. So get ready, get set… and go Knights! Questions? Call 1-877-GU-ALUMS (1-877-482-5867).
The Tale of the Golden Knight Quest Victor E. Knight, the official mascot of Gannon University, loves his campus, but sometimes the chilly Erie weather brings him down. So, Victor E. Knight had an idea: what if he set out to see the sights Gannon alumni experience every day? Thus, Victor E. Knight packed his sword and shield and departed on an epic quest to see the world. Unfortunately for the metallic man, he soon learned this trip wouldn’t be easy. Though the “e” allowed him to ride the city bus free with his Gannon ID, he only made it as far as Millcreek Mall. He realized he would need a little help from his friends if he were to experience the world—and who else would help the little guy on his vacation from Sassafras Street than Gannon alumni? So he skipped the bus and hopped right into the mailbox, wondering which friendly face he would see first. Here’s what you can do to help if the Golden Knight shows up on your doorstep: • Check the Knight in at www.gannonknightquest.com. Upload your pictures, and leave a message detailing what fun things the Knight has seen and done during his time with you. • Mail the Knight to a classmate. The more places the Knight visits, the more connected the Gannon University community will become. Each Knight travels with a journal that you can fill with personal and professional updates before passing him along. • Track the Knights’ journeys. Wondering where the Knights are? Go to www.gannonknightquest.com to see what exciting things the crusader has been up to and where the Knight is headed next. Several friends joined the Golden Knight on his quest around the globe. Log on today to update us as these courageous swordsmen (and swordswomen) gain new insights and experiences:
serves as a campus tour guide— and has a noisy roommate. She’s in desperate need of a vacation and thinks alumni would have the best ideas for de-stressing.
Wergy can’t get enough of the college
Finegan is the lazy Knight of the
Victor E. Knight is the original Golden Knight. Always full of energy, his positive outlook can be found brightening events across campus. He looks forward to spreading school spirit to all alumni!
group; he spends his time napping and reserving four washing machines at a time. His friends encouraged him to visit alumni to broaden his horizons (but he thinks they just want to steal his laundry!).
head for gross anatomy. If he’s not practicing real-world scenarios in the Patient Simulation Center, you can find him lending a hand at Gannon’s Nursing Center at the John E. Horan Garden Apartments or teaching healthy habits on an Alternative Break Service Trip. He’s excited to hear how alumni are giving back.
Nash loves reading, serenity and silence. She is timid about her trip outside the library’s peaceful walls, but she knows she will find some alumni who enjoy discussing literature and finding inner peace. Hamm is a star Knight athlete, lettering in basketball, soccer and water polo. Since she’s also president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she’ll be able to fill alumni in on all the amazing achievements of Gannon’s 18 varsity sports. Wehrle is absolutely frazzled. She’s
taking 18 credits, teaches a kickboxing class at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion,
Beyer is all business. Never far from this morning’s Wall Street Journal or a large double-shot espresso, he’s already planning his run for the SGA presidency in 2014. He can’t wait to find out what exciting careers alumni have now. Archie is always the center of attention. She is the first to host a back-to-school party or put together a pep rally and is pumped to share her event-planning skills with alumni. Schuster is the most dramatic of his Knight brothers and sisters. He’s a theater buff and hopes one of his alumni friends will take him to the movies (he’ll buy the popcorn).
music scene. She’s a big fan of live radio and alternative rock, but looks forward to meeting alumni of all musical tastes.
Sims has a heart for service and a
Mary is the most faithful Knight, attending Community Mass every week and lending her beautiful alto soprano voice to the chapel choir. An avid scrapbooker, she especially enjoys collecting memorabilia from Villa Maria College and hopes alumni can give her more material. W.T. dreams of being a “World Traveler,” but so far he’s only made it to Gannon’s One Green World Café. Although its diverse menu and staff have taught him more about other cultures, he hopes alumni will help him fill in his empty passport pages.
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Ryan Haffey ’99
Featured Alum
alumnifocus the Association’s most recent members, having recently accepted a position as an Erie regional director on the National Alumni Board (NAB). “I became involved with the NAB as a way to give back, both with my time and with the knowledge I have gained since graduation. It’s important to me to help the University in any way I can,” he explained.
The active members of Gannon University’s Alumni Association hail from 50 states, work in more than 200 different career fields and their college graduation years span nine decades. But the one common thread that unites this diverse group? Their time spent learning at—and their loyalty to—Gannon. Ryan M. Haffey ’99, a business administration graduate and Ford City, Pa., native, is one of
The Association promotes the volunteer services of alumni in support of the University’s Mission, policies and Strategic Plan. Any person who has completed at least one semester at Gannon University or any of its predecessor educational institutions (Villa Maria College, Gannon College and Cathedral College) is automatically a member of the Alumni Association. A National Alumni Board of Directors serves as the Association’s leadership and acts as an advisory board to Gannon’s Office of Alumni Services.
The best part about my job is that my practice is built on a partnership with my clients. I want to fully understand their values and principles, and I enjoy assisting them in making informed financial decisions and helping them achieve personal legacies. My secret to time management is using to-do lists and my iPhone calendar; they keep me stress-free and on track. I try to rank the things I need to do each day in priority order and make sure that at day’s end, my list is completed. My favorite Gannon activity was football: I played all four years as a cornerback. Gannon has a great athletic tradition, and I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Golden Knights. The best alumni event I have attended yet was the annual Football Golf Classic. It is a great event to catch up with old teammates and reconnect. If I could travel anywhere with the Golden Knight (see p. 14!), I would go to Hawaii. With a hectic work schedule and busy family life, I think it would be a great place to relax.
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“We just moved back to Erie from Lancaster, N.Y., in February, but before that, I was a board member of
“Gannon was a tremendous experience. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would.”
FIVE Minutes, FIVE Questions
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Like any extracurricular organization, the Alumni Association wants to remind alumni that the time commitment required is minimal and the rewards of becoming involved are many. Haffey, for example, is no stranger to time management. When he’s not keeping busy as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management in Erie, he can be found spending time with his family (wife Kelly and their three children, Owen, Olivia and Rylee), playing sports (softball and golf are his favorites) and volunteering in the community.
the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Lancaster Rotary Club, the Buffalo Pro Zoo and the Lancaster Academy of Finance and was a Junior Achievement member,” he explained. As alumni services staff point out, many Gannon alumni attribute their current success to their time on campus. “Gannon was a tremendous experience. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would,” Haffey said. “The people I met and all the opportunities Gannon provided have prepared me well for the future. I would tell current students to keep an open mind and learn as many different things as possible, so that you can make informed decisions about your future and where you want to be.” Ready to get involved yourself? Contact the Office of Alumni Services today at 1-877-GU-ALUMS (1-877-482-5867) or gannonalumni@ gannon.edu to find out how.
Featured Faculty
“I have a particular interest in understanding how to help ESL students who come to the University transition successfully into academic programs,” Kingston explained.
Dr. Kingston with Sister Caroline and Sister Concetta from the Rosary School at the Jordan River. After a 30-hour international journey that crosses nine time zones, most people would rank a nice, long nap high on their priority list. Gannon education professor Kathleen Kingston, Ed.D., however, doesn’t waste any time during her overseas sabbatical leave to help educators better their craft. “Traveling and working internationally is challenging, but so rewarding,” said Kingston, who is associate professor and associate director in Gannon’s School of Education. “You have to get yourself ready for a physical and psychological marathon. You typically are working on adrenaline for the first five days or so.” Kingston was one of three faculty granted sabbaticals during the 2011-12 Academic Year. A sabbatical leave allows faculty members to strengthen professional and institutional activities and interests and contribute to their own professional growth and development—all of which benefit Gannon students. Kingston is working in K-12 schools in Jordan and Thailand through June 2012, conducting workshops and professional development programs for teachers and administrators in the Catholic, Christian and private schools there. In addition, she is conducting a research study to measure the impact of training in American teaching methods on the self-efficacy of K-12 teachers and administrators, and is taking a course to obtain a certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a Foreign (EFL) Language Teacher Training.
Gannon University is no stranger in Jordan. The first faculty member to be involved in Jordan was Suzanne Richard, Ph.D. ’71, professor of history and archaeology, who has often taken students to Khirbet Iskander to participate in archeological excavations. Jeff Bloodworth, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of Gannon’s History and Archaeology Department, has led student service-learning trips there for the past three years. Michele Campbell, Ed.D. ’79M, assistant professor of education, traveled to Jordan this fall to conduct a conference presentation for the Private Schools Council, while Ann Bomberger, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, will likely be conducting “train the trainer” workshops for academic supervisors in Jordan private schools this summer. There is also a natural connection between the University’s values and the values of Jordan’s academic institutions, many of which provide study abroad opportunities for Gannon students, she notes. “Gannon is very Mission-centric; meaning, the Mission is lived every day in small and big ways. With our partnership in the Jordan Latin Patriarchate schools, our students work with the children, families and parish communities in the Holy Land where the roots of our faith and our Mission began. The schools are only a few miles from the Baptismal Site, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. We are so fortunate that we can provide these experiences to our students— you do not find these kinds of Mission-focused opportunities at many other universities,” she said.
“The University is becoming more globally aware and connected.” Education Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University M.Ed., Educational Psychology, Edinboro University B.S., Elementary Education and Special Education, Edinboro University Research Interests Graduate Program Design and Development Organizational Leadership International Teacher Training ESL Academic Transition Online Teaching and Learning Hobbies Walking on Presque Isle Adventurous cooking and eating Traveling People-watching
Kathleen Kingston, Ed.D.
facultyfocus
A longtime educator—Kingston began her career as a teacher, a school psychologist and a school administrator before obtaining her doctorate 12 years ago and transitioning to higher education, arriving at Gannon in 2004—she emphasizes that you don’t have to go far to experience other cultures. “The University is becoming more globally aware and connected. We are trying to internationalize our curriculum, service opportunities and study abroad experiences for students and faculty, and our vision is expanding beyond the boundaries of our traditional recruitment areas to a larger international view,” Kingston said.
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Athletic Accomplishments
sportsscan
BY DAN TELISKI ’97, director of athletics media relations
The Gannon Athletics Department recently completed another fine winter sports campaign with its basketball, swimming and wrestling programs all excelling in competition and in the classroom.
Women’s Basketball The Gannon women’s basketball team returned to the national stage in 2011-12, qualifying for its fourth NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in the last six seasons. The Lady Knights were ranked in nine consecutive USA Today ESPN Top 25 polls. The squad finished 22-7 overall after falling to two-time defending NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional champion Shaw during the second round, 64-59. In the process, Gannon recorded its fourth 20-win season during the last six years and 10th 20-win season Jen Papich in school history. Head coach Cleve Wright picked up his 200th career victory with a 77-67 verdict against Lock Haven during the home finale. Senior Caitlyn Lowe concluded her collegiate career fourth all-time at Gannon in three-pointers (196) and 25th in scoring (858). Jen Papich and Kelley Sundberg both earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) honors. Papich landed a spot on the first team after 18
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leading the Lady Knights in scoring (14.7), steals per game (2.7) and blocked shots per game (1.0). The sophomore forward was second on the team in rebounds per game (5.2). She shot 47.2 percent from the field and was a 71.1 percent free throw shooter. Papich also joined Gannon’s 30-point club this season with 31 points during a 92-76 win against California (Pa.). She was named PSAC Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week twice during the 2011-12 season. Sundberg found a spot on the second team after averaging 6.4 points, 5.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals. The sophomore was second among PSAC players in assists per game, third in assistto-turnover ratio (1.9) and
Darrell Blanton
Kelley Sundberg spring 2012
12th in steals per game. She ranked 12th nationally in assists per game and 20th in assist-to-turnover ratio. The all-conference honors were the 23rd and 24th earned by women’s basketball student-athletes during Wright’s 10 seasons at Gannon. Wright also recorded his 200th win at Gannon. The Lady Knights on Feb. 18 secured the milestone win with a 77-67 home victory over Lock Haven. He has won more games and has the highest winning percentage in the history of the women’s basketball program, and he is also the women’s program’s longest-tenured coach.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s team, coached by John T. Reilly ’89M, recorded the 54th winning season in school history with a 14-12 overall record. It marked the program’s fourth winning record in the last five seasons. The Golden Knights narrowly missed a shot at the postseason, being eliminated on the final day of the regular season. In addition to being named to the PSAC Western Division second team, Adam Blazek was also recognized as the PSAC Western Division Freshman of the Year after receiving six PSAC Western Division Freshman of the Week honors during the regular season. He ranked third among all NCAA Division II players in steals per game (3.2) and 31st in free throw percentage (86.7). It marked Gannon’s third consecutive PSAC Freshman of the Year after Tanner Furno earned the honor in 2010 and Stephen Battle in 2011. Junior Darrell Blanton was named to the All-PSAC first team after leading Gannon in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. The junior forward shot 53.8 percent (179-333) from the field while averaging two assists, 1.1 steals and one block per game. He recorded nine doubledoubles and missed another four by one rebound.
The Cleveland, Ohio, native ranked second among PSAC players in field goal percentage, sixth in scoring, sixth in rebounding, eighth in defensive rebounds per game (4.8), 10th in offensive rebounds per game (2.8) and 11th in blocked shots per game. Blanton ranked 51st among all NCAA Division II players in field goal percentage, 82nd in rebounding and 91st in scoring. He reached double digits in scoring during 23 of 26 games, topping the 20-point plateau 10 times. In addition to three PSAC Freshmen of the Year, Gannon has received five allconference honors during its first four seasons as a member of the PSAC.
By Courtney Lewis
Gannon students Adam and Amanda Sharbaugh share more than a last name. The siblings have a common passion for soccer—and healthy competition—which doubles the chances of fans seeing the Sharbaugh name splashed across the back of a jersey on Gannon University Field. Adam, a junior biology major, and Amanda, a senior physician assistant major, hail from Sarver, Pa., and have been playing soccer since ages 4 and 5, respectively. “Our parents would hold our hands for us to stand and then roll a beach ball for us to kick,” Adam said. The brother/sister duo said that they inspire each other on the soccer field, as well as their family and teammates. Amanda, commonly known as “Sharbz,” said that she and Adam want to play well for each other, and that they provide one another with motivation and support. “If I have a bad game, Adam tries to give me constructive criticism, and he’s honest with me about things that other people might not tell me,” she said. Adam said that sometimes they have games on the same day, which can breed a healthy sibling competition. “If she scores before me, it makes me want to one-up her,” he said, grinning at his sister. Adam and Amanda said they like attending the same university, and both will remain at Gannon next year, as Amanda will be completing rotations as part of the PA program. Adam plans to attend medical school after graduation. In addition to the pair’s involvement with the men’s and women’s soccer teams, both participate in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Amanda is also a member of the women’s lacrosse team, and Adam is a member of Tri-Beta, the national biological honor society. The Sharbaughs have also racked up some awards in their time at Gannon. Adam was named to the Capital One Academic All-District II Men’s Soccer First Team last fall, and Amanda holds Gannon’s career record for goals and points, and is one assist shy from breaking that record, as well. This year, she broke Gannon’s single-season record for goals and points, and led the country in scoring for most of the year. She has also been named to the All-PSAC first team and the Academic All-American awards and has earned all-region honors every year. However, awards and recognitions aren’t what excite the Sharbaughs about soccer—it’s the feeling of victorious teamwork. “Coming together as a team and winning is the most exciting part,” Adam said. Amanda also commented on the team’s adrenaline rush after winning a game. “The feeling at the end of a game is the best feeling,” she said. “You can’t get that off the field.”
sportsscan
Swimming & Diving The Gannon women’s swimming and diving team won 11 of 17 dual meets during the regular season. The Lady Knights posted 11 victories for the first time since the 2007-08 season. Senior Kaitlyn Bosy (50-yard freestyle, 100yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle), junior Jacqueline Rzymek (50yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly), junior Christina Kaitlyn Bosy Ruggiero (500yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle, 1650yard freestyle), sophomore Katie Vincent (100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard breaststroke), sophomore Steph Grahm Christina Ruggiero (200-yard butterfly), sophomore Rachel King (100-yard backstroke), freshman Michelle Fischl (100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke, 200-yard IM), freshman Katie Joseph (100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle) and freshman Amanda Knapp (200-yard IM) recorded NCAA “B” cut times during their respective events. Gannon’s 200-yard freestyle, 400-yard freestyle and 800-yard freestyle relay teams also secured NCAA “B” cut times.
athletefocus
Lewis is a senior English major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communications. 19
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Academically, the women’s team earned NCAA Division II Team Scholar All-America honors for its performance in the classroom during the fall semester. Gannon was one of 42 NCAA Division II programs to receive the award. The Lady Knights ranked 34th nationally with a 3.14 cumulative team grade-point average during the fall of 2011.
The men’s swimming team celebrates their second-place finish at the 2012 PSAC Championships.
Fall 2011 Highlights Football Senior Randy Colling, a defensive standout, was named to six different All-America teams this season. He was named to the D2Football.com All-America first team (a Gannon first), the Don Hansen All-America honorable-mention squad, the Beyond Sports College Network All-America first team and the Associated Press Little All-America (first Gannon player since 1949), the Daktronics All-America (a Gannon first) and the D2PRODAY.COM AllAmerica second teams. As a team, Gannon completed the 2011 season with a 4-7 overall record, finishing fifth in the PSAC Western Division with a 3-4 mark. Cross Country
Sophomore Emily Reinhart and junior Andy Hellmann were named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-Academic team. Reinhart was Gannon’s top runner at the 2011 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional, finishing the 6K course in 25 minutes and 19 seconds and was among Gannon’s top four runners during five of the six events she participated in. Hellmann was Gannon’s top runner during all eight events this season. His PSAC Championship time was 26:56.6 while his NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional time was 35 minutes and 38 seconds. Additionally, the women’s team produced the best cumulative team grade-point average in the country this season, with the men’s team owning the second-best. The women’s program was named an NCAA Division II All-Academic team for the ninth consecutive season.
Soccer Freshman Robbie Bennett’s 2011 PSAC Freshman of
the Year award marked the third time in the last five seasons that a Gannon men’s soccer player was named the conference’s top newcomer. The freshman was named to the All-PSAC first team while Junior Sean Washek garnered second-team honors. Bennett led the Golden Knights this season in goals (12), assists (5), points (29) and game-winning goals (3). He was also named to the Daktronics All-Atlantic Region first team. The squad finished the season with a 7-9-2 overall mark, capping the season with a 2-0 shutout of rival Mercyhurst. The Golden Knights finished with a 3-5-1 record in PSAC matches and posted a 4-3-1 record at home.
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The men’s swimming and diving program, coached by Nathan Walters, recorded the best conference finish in program history by capturing second place at the 2012 PSAC Championships. Meanwhile, the women had their best conference performance since 2009, finishing fourth. The 2012 PSAC Championships turned out to be a great success for the Gannon swimming programs. In addition to serving as the host for the first time in school history, Gannon swimmers broke 10 school records and recorded 50 NCAA “B” cut times during the week.
Three Lady Knights were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Atlantic Region women’s soccer teams. Senior Amanda Sharbaugh earned second-team honors, while senior Katie Urban and freshman Justine Rodrigues secured spots on the third team. Sharbaugh (first team) and junior Mary Reilly (third team) were also named to the Capital One Academic All-America teams. The duo represents the first women’s soccer student-athletes in school history to achieve Academic All-America status. Gannon finished the 2011 season with a 9-5-4 overall record following a 2-1 loss to 15th-ranked Kutztown in the PSAC quarterfinals. The Lady Knights placed seventh in the PSAC regular-season standings with a 6-4-4 conference mark.
Volleyball Senior Kara Cullen (honorable mention) and junior
Lauren Sazama (first team) were named to the All-Atlantic region women’s volleyball team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Under head coach Matt Darling, Gannon made its third consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearance and third straight season with at least 20 wins (20-12) in 2011. Both runs are firsts for the program since 1993-95.
Golf The men’s golf team finished in fifth place with a team score of 644 after the second round of the PSAC Championship. Freshman Jon Marcson and senior Max Fairma led Gannon’s effort, both tying for 18th place with scores of 161. The pair each fired rounds of 80 and 81 during the tournament. Head coach Jason Willow’s women’s golf team posted top-three finishes during three of its four events this fall and top-five finishes in every one. Sophomore Bhanisha Nagindas (78.4), sophomore Kiersten Klekner-Alt (79.3) and sophomore Amanda Teodorsson (79.4) all averaged fewer than 80 strokes per round during the fall competition. Teodorsson won the individual PSAC title with a two-day total of 153, out-distancing the conference's next best golfer by five strokes. The women’s golf team concluded the fall campaign by winning their first conference championship in school history. The squad captured the PSAC title, easily defeating three-time defending champion California (Pa.) by 13 strokes.
Swope being named to the first team. Redshirt freshman Matt Turek earned second-team honors. Redshirt junior Sam Brehm, redshirt freshman Scott Bulzan, redshirt freshman Chaz Lear and sophomore Arlen Mase all landed on the Academic All-America honorablemention squad.
Adam Chrzanowski The men completed the regular season with a 7-7 dual meet record, won the Westminster (Pa.) Relay Meet for the third consecutive season and finished second at the Citrus Classic. Six Golden Knights recorded NCAA “B” cut times during the season. The group included senior Alex Dovale (200-yard butterfly), senior Jared Griffard (200-yard breaststroke), junior Ethan Chase (100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly), freshman Nathan Bean (200yard IM), freshman Logan Bissell (200yard breaststroke) and freshman Adam Chrzanowski (500-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke). In addition, the 400-yard freestyle relay team also met NCAA “B” cut standards.
Wrestling The wrestling team, coached by Don Henry, recorded its 14th consecutive top-27 finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Senior Ethan Swope, junior Robert Blotzer and freshman Zack Zelcs advanced to the national championships where Swope became the program’s 20th AllAmerican with a sixth-place finish at 149 pounds. Along the way, he defeated the nation’s top-ranked wrestler in triple overtime. Swope and Zelcs also won NCAA Ethan Swope Division II Super Region One championships at 149 and 184, respectively.
Gannon finished the regular season with a 10-5 dual record. The 2011-12 season turned out to be a good one for head coach Don Henry, who was named 2012 NCAA Division II Super Region One Coach of the Year. He also picked up his 150th career dual victory Dec. 7, 2011 with a 39-6 win against Penn State – DuBois.
The athletic department received great news as a whole during the winter months in terms of its academic success rate, ranking 52nd among all NCAA Division II programs and fourth among PSAC schools in the 2011 National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) Power Rankings. Those figures are determined by averaging the NCAA student-athlete graduation rates, academic rankings provided by U.S. News & World Report and the strength of athletic departments as determined by the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. The Golden Knights were tabbed fifth among schools located within the NCAA Division II Atlantic region. Gannon has always been nationally known for its combination of academics and athletics. The school produced the highest percentage of student-athletes named PSAC scholar-athletes for the third consecutive year in 2010-11. Gannon topped the charts at 45 percent, producing 169 scholarathletes among its 374 student-athletes during the 2010-11 academic year. A student-athlete must maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average or better to be named a scholar-athlete. Gannon has produced 488 PSAC scholarathletes during its first three years as a member of the conference, including 158 student-athletes during its inaugural season in 2008-09 and 161 in 2009-2010. In addition, 111 Gannon student-athletes were named 2010-11 recipients of the Athletics Directors Association (DII ADA) Academic Achievement Award. First introduced in 2005, the NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate (ASR) is a rolling average of the graduation outcomes for NCAA Division II student-athletes. The latest figures show a 73 percent rate of graduation within six years of initial enrollment for the Division II entering class of 2004, steady from the last year and still the highest rate to date. Gannon had 80 percent of its studentathletes graduate within six years of their initial enrollment in the latest 2004 cohort, seven percent better than the national average. Only California (Pa.) (89), Millersville (87) and West Chester (82) produced a higher ASR among PSAC schools during the same time span.
The wrestling team prepares for national competition.
Finally, Gannon fans had a new visual experience at the Hammermill Center for basketball, wrestling and volleyball events this year. Thanks to a recent gift to Gannon University by First Niagara Bank, the Hammermill Center added a stateof-the-art press table between the team benches on the west side of the arena. The 22-millimeter LED press table features a wide array of colors and graphics for fan entertainment. It also has the ability to provide in-game statistics to fans, as well as team and individual information. Photos and video of the new press table can be accessed online at www.gannonsports.com/news.
sportsscan
Academically, the Golden Knights recorded the fifth-highest team grade-point average among all NCAA Division II wrestling programs. The honor marks the third top10 finish during the last four years. The Golden Knights finished fifth in 2008-09 and 10th in 2010-11. Six wrestlers earned Academic All-America status, including
Mase was named the recipient of PSAC Champion Scholar award during the 2011 conference championships. A new award for the PSAC this season, the PSAC Champion Scholar Award is modeled after the NCAA's Elite 88 award. The award honors the student-athlete with the top grade-point average who is competing at the site of each of the PSAC's 23 team championship finals. Mase became the second Gannon student-athlete to receive the award this year, joining Kelly Nickerson who was honored at the 2011 PSAC Women’s Golf Championships.
Off-the-Field Success
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Gannon University Alumni
’50s LTJG WILLIAM “ZIGGY” P. ROACH JR. ’51 and his wife, Patricia “Pam” (Muir), have been in South Carolina for 14 years and have previously lived in Seattle, Wash., Minneapolis, Forty Fort, Pa., Pittsburgh (three times) and Erie. The couple has five children: Mary E., Bill Jr., John, Patricia and R.J. (son Michael is deceased). ALCUIN C. DORNISCH ’58 is a recipient of APMI International’s most prestigious fellow award, recognizing significant contributions to the goals, purpose and mission of the organization as well as a high level of expertise in the technology, practice or business of the powder metallurgy (PM) industry. Dornisch has spent nearly 55 years in the PM industry and has been a member of APMI International for more than 30 years. He is currently serving as a consultant with Northern Precision Materials Inc. in the Jamestown, N.Y., area. ROBERT J. HEIBEL ’59 was elected to the board of directors for Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals. Heibel is the executive director of the Mercyhurst University Institute for Intelligence Studies in Erie. ANNE (SKEABECK) SILVERMAN ’59VMC has established a scholarship fund at Villa Maria Academy in Erie in her
alumnotes sister’s name. Sister Mary Carmel taught Latin at Villa for 62 years.
’60s PATRICIA (LYNCH) CHRISTINA ’60VMC was chosen by the Fredonia (N.Y.) Community Chamber of Commerce to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award, given by the Community Chambers of Commerce in Chautauqua County, as part of their 2011 Community Service Awards. Christina has been involved in the community as a teacher, a member of the Fredonia Chamber board, a town councilwoman and many other professional and volunteer organizations.
Calling All…Yearbooks? That’s right—we are missing some past editions of both Gannon and Villa Maria College yearbooks and need your help! If you have any of the following issues and would be willing to donate them to the University, it would be greatly appreciated: Villa - 1950, 1960, 1966, 1967, 1975 or any after 1985; Gannon - 1958, 1959, 1986, 1987. If you don't want to part with your book, we can copy it and return it to you as well. Help us establish a full yearbook library to keep current students connected to past generations. Contact Cindy Toland in University Advancement at toland001@gannon.edu or 814-871-7608.
MARK R. FIERLE ’62 authored two books, Adapt or Perish: How to Survive the Firestorm of Change in Business, Leadership, and Careers, and Rekindling the American Dream: Stories, Strategies, and Tactics to Restore Hope to Americans. WILBUR F. LYNAM ’62 was inducted into the Venango County (Pa.) Conservation
Greeks to Celebrate Reunions
Save the date—brothers of the Epsilon Upsilon chapter will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pi Kappa Alpha at Gannon University from July 26-29, 2012. The event schedule includes a golf outing, picnic, Founder’s Dinner and reception, a house tour, “Pikes on Bikes” tour of Presque Isle, breakfast at Dominick’s 24 Hour Eatery, some tall tales and lots of fun. A room block has been reserved at the Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. For more information, contact Rich “The Kuj” Kujawinski ’73 at 732-583-3595 or visit www.gannonalumni.org. The brothers of Delta Sigma Phi are hosting reunion activities as well. Plans are under way for a Sept. 14-16 reunion of the Delta Sigs. Activities include a golf outing, evening meet-and-greet, campus tour, Mass and a current student and alumni dinner. For more information, contact Joe Cooley ’64 at j.cooley.1@ hotmail.com or Dave Prawdzik ’64 at dprawd@roadrunner.com. 22
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District Hall of Fame. Lynam recently retired after a 39-year career as a deputy wildlife conservation officer.
’70s THOMAS A. ELLIOTT ’70 joined the Barber National Institute in Erie as senior vice president for finance and business development. PHILIP J. ORLANDO SR. ’70, ’77M was inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame on Feb. 25. He began coaching soccer when his son’s soccer team at Avon (Ind.) faced dissolution 29 years ago. He coached Center Grove, Ind.’s boys team for 12 years, and also started and coached the girls team at Avon and coached three years at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. His overall record is 242-120-28; at Center Grove, 175-67-23. He also owns a sports apparel shop, and he and his son, P.J. (now 33), are active in seminars conducted at places like Notre Dame University and Indiana University and as a merchant is involved in soccer clubs as far away as North Carolina.
LT. GEN. JAMES M. DUBIK ’71 was named the next General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership, shared by the Army War College, Dickinson College and Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law and School of International Affairs. As the Bradley Chair, Dubik will participate in academic life at all three schools. CARMEN S. ITALIA JR. ’71 was named vice president of business development for Continental Bank, located near Philadelphia. THOMAS J. GAMBLE, PH.D. ’72 was invited to serve on the Pennsylvania Campus Compact board of directors. The organization focuses on civic engagement and developing socially responsible citizens in the 21st century. Gamble is president of Mercyhurst University in Erie. SUSAN N. SUTTO ’73M was reappointed by the state senate to the Erie County (Pa.) Convention Center Authority. DAVID SZCZERBACKI, PH.D. ’73, ’77M was named the ninth president of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., effective July 1. He currently serves as the college’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. JESSE D. LOCKETT ’74 is using art to help bridge the language gap for Englishas-a-Second-Language students at Erie’s Multicultural Community Resource Center. Lockett coordinates the class weekly as part of his internship for his master’s degree in special education at Mercyhurst University. ELISSA (SCALISE) POWELL, CGRS ’76 is co-director of a new genealogical educational institute, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), which is being held for one week in July each year at La Roche College. GRIP is one of only a few such institutes in the country. WILLIAM N. EULIANO ’77 was named operations manager of Seco/Warwick Corp. in Meadville, Pa. He will be responsible for the company’s daily operations.
ANN (MURPHY) HENRY, PH.D. ’79M was elected to the board of trustees for
MICHAEL P. ROBINSON ’79 was named the Rockford (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Robinson is director of marketing and communications at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
JAMES T. RYAN ’79M was welcomed into Profiles International Summit Society, which is only open to strategic business partners who consistently achieve the highest results in the use of human capital assessment tools to aid their clients in job placement, job assignment, coaching, mentoring, team building and professional development. Ryan is a senior consultant and partner at Decision Associates in Erie.
Alumni Association President, Dana Kennedy Fallon, Esq. ’91
If you’re like the majority of readers (according to our 2010 survey), Gannon Magazine is the number one way you catch up with the latest Gannon University happenings and learn about your fellow classmates’ lives. And you aren’t restricted to reading the print copy – the magazine is available for online viewing at www.gannon.edu/magazine, and you National Alumni Board members show off a few of the can sign up to receive an email notice Golden Knight Quest travelers. Front Row, L to R: Becky when the latest issue has been posted Sheehan ’04, ’05M, Allison Boyd ’07, ’08M and Rob Glentzer, Esq. ’00; Back Row, L to R: Scott Krall ’84, (see back cover for details). In fact, Jeremy Ballaro ’02 and Dana Kennedy Fallon, Esq. ’91. there’s a whole wealth of information about the University on its website, www.gannon.edu, which was recently redesigned with a fresh look and enhanced resources. The new site gives you ready access to the academic, spiritual and social life of the campus. Many of us do not live in the Erie area, but regardless of where you are, you can take part in the life of the campus. Start by recommending Gannon to an up-and-coming student. If you sign a student’s admissions application, the application fee will be waived. Register in the online alumni community at www.gannonalumni.org and update your directory information, search for classmates, add class notes, browse event photos and more. You can dial into the wider Gannon cyber-community by connecting to Gannon’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages as well (notice the links on the Gannon home page). No time to surf the Web? Just set your browser to 90.5 WERG-FM, and stream the student radio station 24/7. Of course, being virtually connected can’t beat actually seeing alumni, faculty and staff on campus. Now is the time to plan ahead for 2012 Alumni Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 19-21. Last year saw the largest turnout of alumni in years, and we anticipate an even better year in 2012! One of the many highlights promises to be seeing all the places and alumni the one dozen Golden Knight mascots traveled to (see p. 14 for the scoop on this exciting project). I was able to do some traveling this year with Victor E. Knight and look forward to seeing the outcome of his other adventures. Visit campus, write us a note, email your news, pick up the phone—no matter how you communicate with us, we love to hear from you! Be sure to update us with your adventures after Gannon, and come see us in October.
If you have questions about the Alumni Association or how to connect with fellow alumni or students, please contact me at dana.gannonu@gmail.com.
alumnotes
DR. LAURENCE W. “BILL” VEIHDEFFER II ’77M was featured in the September/ October 2011 issue of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal in an article that focused on the Veihdeffer family’s multigeneration dental practice.
Marywood University. Henry is vice president of Worldwide Operations for Cisco Systems Capital.
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’80s JEFFREY B. STEPHENSON ’80M was elected chairman of the board of governors of Erie Shriners Hospital for Children. EMILY M. BECK ’83 was re-elected to the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) Supplier Council and will serve a two-year term as vice chairwoman. In her role, Beck will help the group focus on issues and services specific to supplier members. OMCA is one of the largest travel and tourism-related associations in Canada. Emily is director of tourism development for VisitErie. SHERI L. BLYSTONE ’83 joined Huntsman in April 2011 as manager, Product EHS (Americas). Blystone and her team are responsible for product safety and compliance for all of Huntsman’s business divisions within the Americas. She resides in Texas. ERICH W. GUNTHER ’83 was named an IEEE Fellow. He is being recognized for contributions to the development and standardization of techniques for electric power quality. Gunther is the chairman and chief technology officer for EnerNex in Knoxville, Tenn. RALPH J. PONTILLO ’83 and JAMES J. RUTKOWSKI JR. ’83 were named to a new public-private council by Gov. Tom Corbett that will identify and prioritize issues to help sustain and advance manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Pontillo is president of the Manufacturer & Business Association, and Rutkowski is vice president of Industrial Sales & Manufacturing, both of Erie.
PAMELA (JOHNSON) STEPNOWSKI, CPA ’85VMC was promoted to supervisor in the retirement plan services group of McGill, Power, Bell & Associates accounting firm, which holds offices in Erie and Meadville, Pa. TIMOTHY J. MAINES ’86 joined Omthera Pharmaceuticals Inc. as vice president of quality. Maines will be responsible for quality, validation and CMC development at Omthera, a privately held emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company. AMY RUDOLPH CARVER, PH.D. ’87 was appointed the new executive vice president, chief human resources officer for Selective Insurance Group Inc. Carver will be responsible for all human resources functions, including talent management, benefits, diversity and compensation. CHRISTOPHER C. MERRY ’87 was elected to The Graycliff Conservancy’s board of directors. The Conservancy was founded in 1997 to acquire, preserve and restore the Graycliff Estate, benefiting western and central New York. Rev. Merry is the controller for TAM Ceramics in Buffalo, N.Y. DINA (TALIERCIO) SCRIBNER ’87 was named director of marketing and events at the Regency at South Shore in Erie, where she has worked since 2010 as coordinator of events. BRIAN F. DALTON, PH.D. ’88, ’93M was named vice president for enrollment and communications at Allegheny (Pa.) College. He most recently served as the senior vice president for strategic planning, and was recently honored with the American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers award for outstanding leadership in strategic enrollment management. MICHAEL S. WOLFE ’88, ’90M was named resident senior vice president at Utica National’s Republic-Franklin insurance office in Columbus, Ohio. ERIC A. BALLINGER, ESQ. ’89 was named a 2011 Legal Elite by Georgia Trend Magazine. He is an attorney with Ballinger & Associates in Canton, Ga. RICHARD C. SHOPENE ’89 was named police chief for the Corry (Pa.) Police Dept. He had served as interim chief since October and has been with the department for 21 years.
’90s BETH (FIEL) HEROLD ’90 is the new administrator for the Butler County Area Agency on Aging. She was previously the manager of the Visiting Nurses Association in Butler, Pa. COL. WILLIAM S. WOZNIAK ’90 was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army. Wozniak is currently serving as the counterterrorism division chief for the Joint Interagency Counter-Trafficking Center in Europe. LT. COL. ERIC J. PATER ’91 retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service. Over the span of his military career, Pater has served as assistant professor of military science, as an infantry fire support officer, as an instructor to the Royal Canadian Artillery School and as a U.S. exchange officer.
A $15,000 gift to the Erin Gaydos Carlisle Memorial Endowed “Power” Scholarship in Occupational Therapy at Gannon University was made recently. The money for the gift was raised through the inaugural Hertel & Brown Memorial Golf Tournament Benefiting the Erin Carlisle Scholarship Fund, held at Whispering Woods Golf Club. Shown during the check presentation are (L-R) Ryan Carlisle ’08, ’10DPT, widower of Erin (Gaydos) Carlisle ’08, ’09M; Ryan Munson; Doug Robinson; Aaron Hertel ’01, ’03M; Shari Robinson; Mike Brown ’00, ’03M; Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D.; and Dr. Bernadette Hattjar, assistant professor and chair of the occupational therapy program.
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marriages
LTJG William “Ziggy” P. Roach Jr. ’51 and his wife, Patricia “Pam” (Muir), celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 9, 2012.
Henry J. Wienczkowski ’63 and his wife, Margaret, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 10, 2012. Janet E. Heintzel ’85 married George Wolf on April 2, 2011. Sherry Lea Ashbaugh ’86 married Scott Lewis Penwell on June 28, 2009.
Rebekah Grace Pickett ’09 married Louis Thomas Shernisky ’08 on June 25, 2011.
Jeffrey A. Staaf Jr. ’04 married Amanda Susan Nelson on Sept. 17, 2011.
Jamie Lee Taormina ’07 married Samuel J. Kingston on July 2, 2011.
Colleen Therese Cole ’05 married Randy Jeffrey on May 21, 2011.
Noelle K. Schad ’08 married Steven R. Daniels ’07 on Sept. 25, 2010.
Michael Joseph Mitchell ’06 married Jillian Ann D’Angelo on Nov. 26, 2011.
Christina M. Dyckes ’09 married Dr. Bradley J. Mealy, D.C. ’09 on June 25, 2011.
Brian M. Drylewicz ’00 married Monica R. Walker on June 11, 2011.
Amanda Lee Shafer ’06, ’07M married Steven Michael Schleicher ’09DPT on Sept. 3, 2011.
Dr. Gregory A. Cooper, DPT ’04, ’07M married Lauren Parisi on June 11, 2011.
Diana Kathleen Cole ’07 married David James Stucke on Oct. 22, 2011.
Molly Rose O’Flanagan ’09 married Ryan C. Genard ’09 on Nov. 26, 2011. Wesley C. Davis ’11M married Elizabeth A. Gray on June 18, 2011.
Mary Christine “Christy” Santillo ’99, ’04M married Scott G. Kravetz ’01, ’03M on Oct. 15, 2011. GU alumni who helped them celebrate included: (First Row) Ben Knoch ’02, Robert Andrew Boggess ’01, Dan Lichok ’00; (Second Row) Amy (Waldemarson) Hawkins ’02, Tara (Carter) Takoch ’03, Kristen (Ballant) Stimmell ’99, ’03M, the happy couple, Kristin (Kelly) Friedline ’99, Jennifer (Gordon) Holderbaum ’99, Allison (Bourke) Morrison ’99; (Back Row) Matt Allen ’02, Justin Swogger ’03, Tiffany Gilkey ’05, John Rumcik ’99, Nate Brown ’03, Rob Hauser ’04, Mark Spence ’98, ’02, Eric Fleming ’98, Joel Oakman ’02, Joe Matrisch ’01, ’02M, Kim (Jablonski) Spence ’99, Adam Hawley ’03 and Nicole (Gross) Hawley ’01.
KIRK E. VROMAN ’93 was admitted to the Erie County (Pa.) Bar in the fall of 2011.
DAVID W. LEASURE ’94 was hired as the new head football coach at Springdale (Pa.) High School. Leasure has coached for 16 years, including last season as a defensive coordinator at Apollo-Ridge High School in Spring Church, Pa., and he also currently teaches at Fox Chapel in Pittsburgh. BRADLEY A. PEGANOFF ’94 was elected to the North Carolina Biosciences Organization board of
directors. Peganoff is the vice president of government and corporation relations at RTI International. CHAD A. SAYBAN ’94 was promoted to vice president of finance for All-American Hose LLC. All-American Hose is one of the largest manufacturers of highpressure hoses for firefighting, industrial, agriculture and military customers throughout the world, with manufacturing facilities in Erie and Union City, Pa.
alumnotes
CHRISTOPHER S. RAKOW ’93, an Edward Jones financial advisor, was named a principal with its holding company, the Jones Financial Companies LLLP. He is one of only 41 individuals chosen from more than 42,000 associates across the U.S. and Canada to join the firm’s 323 principals. He works in Franklin, Pa., a position he’s held for the past five years.
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MARK D. ANDERSEN ’95 was named a partner in the Washington, D.C.-area accounting firm of Argy, Wiltse & Robinson.
Prior to this, he was in private practice for seven years at the firm of Quinn, Buseck, Leemhuis, Toohey & Kroto Inc. in Erie.
ERIN K. NELSEN, PH.D. ’95, ’97M completed her Ph.D. in sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in November 2011.
TIMOTHY S. GLASSPOOL, ED.D. ’98 has been appointed as the new superintendent for the Plum (Pa.) School District. He most recently served as the assistant superintendent for the school district.
births
JOHN F. KROTO ’98 accepted a position in April 2011 as law clerk for the Hon. Chief Judge Thomas P. Agresti, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
BARBARA F. SAMBROAK ’98M was a speaker at the National Conference for Community Foundations in San
Melanie Jean (born Dec. 10, 2011), daughter of Megan (Hogan) Alchowiak ’05 and her husband, Keith. a son, Benjamin James (born April 8, 2011), to Robert J. Wellington ’04 and his wife, Jillian. a son, Sean Aldean (born Oct. 5, 2011), to John I. Baker ’05 and his wife, Sarah. Sean joins older brother James Lee (2).
a daughter, Katelyn Rose (born July 18, 2010), to John F. Kroto ’98 and his wife, Lisa. a son, Nolan Samuel (born July 20, 2011), to Brenda (Hazen) Martincic ’99 and her husband, Daniel. Nolan joins older sister Natalie (3). a daughter, Sophia Elizabeth (born Sept. 20, 2011), to Deanna (Leskovec) ’00, ’01M and Mark J. Macioce ’03M. She joins older siblings Nathan and Emma. a son, Colton Samuel (born May 17, 2011), to Meghan (Heil) Plaxe ’00 and her husband, Brian. Colton joins older sister Cameron (5) and big brother Evan (3).
a daughter, Anna (born June 8, 2011), to Shannon M. (Zeis) ’05 and Douglas A. Wishart ’03, ’04M. a son, J.J. (born April 24, 2011), to Colleen A. Behringer ’06, ’08C, ’08M and her husband, Joe Selleny. a girl, Lucy Grace (born Feb. 14, 2012), to Megan M. (Klass) ’06 and Richard A. Julius ’05. a son, Brayden Anthony (born May 17, 2011), to Honey Lee (Marburger) ’05, ’06, ’08M and Anthony F. Pezzimenti ’03. a daughter, Kylie Addison (born Oct. 18, 2011), to Miranda (Fetterman) Kerr ’09C, ’09 and her husband, Jason.
a daughter, Angela Mae (born June 8, 2011), to Deborah (LaChapelle) Foley ’02 and her husband, Kevin. Angela joins big brother Logan.
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ROBERT R. JOHNSON JR. ’99 was named 2011 Prospector of the Year for Qorpak and was named to the 2011 Chairman’s Club for Berlin Packaging. Johnson is an account executive with Qorpak, headquartered in Bridgeville, Pa. BRENDA (HAZEN) MARTINCIC ’99 is a physician assistant for the Cleveland Clinic in OB surgery, first-assisting in c-sections.
’00s BRIAN M. DRYLEWICZ ’00 is a materials and process engineer at GKN Aerospace in St. Louis, Mo. BRYAN J. LEFAUVE ’00 has been promoted to executive vice president with the SKM Group, a marketing communications agency in Depew, N.Y. LeFauve has been with the firm for seven years. JASON M. MURNOCK ’00, ’01M is a senior environmental specialist and the Stormwater Compliance Division Manager for Angler Environmental in Manassas, Va. He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). MARGARET M. CHRYMKO, PHARM.D., FASHP ’01M was the recipient of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Research and Education Foundation’s 2011 Pharmacy Residency Excellence Preceptor Award. Chrymko is a clinical pharmacy specialist and residency program director for the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. AARON M. GARRITY ’01, ’07M is a first grade teacher at Fairview (Pa.) Elementary School and started Fun Club last year, an after-school program that introduces children to basic sports skills and healthy eating habits. SABRINA A. LANE ’01 joined ERA Sports Inc.’s staff and will be coordinating a 12week winter softball program at ERA’s two indoor facilities in Richland Township and Altoona, Pa. Lane formerly coached softball at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa.
a son, Jackson Gary (born May 20, 2011), to Lauren (Kropp) Foley ’02 and her husband, Michael.
a son, Owen Paul (born Aug. 18, 2011), to Nicole (Kuss) Halladay ’02 and her husband, Jeffrey. He joins big sister Lillian Catherine (2).
Francisco. Sambroak is vice president of finance at the Erie Community Foundation.
a daughter, Tegan Skye (born Sept. 13, 2011), to Nicole (Abel) ’05 and Matthew Wiefling ’05.
MARK D. STRAZISAR, D.O. ’01 joined Millcreek (Pa.) Community Hospital as a staff psychiatrist, following completion of a three-year psychiatric residency program. Strazisar also recently completed additional training in electroconvulsive therapy. SARAH (WALLACE) SCHAEFER ’01 is a science teacher at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash.
SHAUN R. BLACK, D.O. ’02 joined the staff of Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center and Meadville Emergency Physicians, P.C. LIDIA Z. (MALYSZKO) GRAY ’02 has been with General Electric for almost 10 years, currently working as distributor manager for the marine and stationary division. She resides in Grove City, Pa., with her husband, Bill, and two children, Sofia (4) and Jacob (1).
LT. ADAM J. SUSMARSKI ’05 completed a recent assignment to Afghanistan with the Navy Seabees as the only physician for 600 men and women.
GREGORY A. COOPER ’04, ’07DPT is a physical therapist with Med Travelers Inc.
ANDREW S. BARRETT ’06M was recognized as one of the Great 100 Foundations’ 2011 Great 100 Nurses. Barrett is the senior member of the advanced level practitioner staff for the Center of Excellence Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Vidant Medical Center (formerly Pitt County Memorial Hospital) in Greenville, N.C.
ANDREW M. KOVACS ’04, ’07M is a special education teacher at Central Tech High School in Erie.
KRISTIN M. FOUSE ’06 resides in San Diego and works for INC Research.
NIKKI-JO MAGNIFICO, D.M.D. ’04 joined the Bow (N.H.) Family Dentistry practice. She completed a general practice residency at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston in 2009.
THOMAS T. FUCCI ’06M was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer at Saint Vincent Health System in Erie.
MARC T. RILEY ’03M and ALYSSA (CALVERIC) RILEY ’01, ’03M have opened a new physical therapy clinic in Horseheads, N.Y. The clinic, Elite Therapy, is the local extension of a physical therapy practice of the same name located in Mansfield.
JEFFREY A. STAAF JR. ’04 is a senior PC technician at UPMC Hamot in Erie. DAVID S. WILLOUGHBY ’04 was admitted to the Erie County (Pa.) Bar in the fall of 2011. JESSIE M. CHAMPLIN ’05, ’06M is a physician assistant in orthopedics at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Pa. ASHLEY L. EMMERT ’05, ’06M is a physician assistant at DuBois (Pa.) Regional Medical Center. ZACHARY M. FLOCK ’05 is artistic director and a founding board member of Dramashop, a new nonprofit contemporary theatre company celebrating its inaugural season in Erie. Flock is assistant director of e-marketing at Gannon.
DAJUAN O. SMITH ’05 is a board member of the Western Pennsylvania Sting of the Ultimate Indoor Football League.
From Pittsburgh to Orlando, Gannon’s president Keith Taylor, Ph.D., is on the move, listening to alumni, parents and friends across the country share their Gannon and Villa Maria stories and ask questions about the University’s future. So far, he’s met up with groups in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando and Tampa. Want to join in the discussion? The tour continues on May 22 with a reception in New York City; visit www.gannonalumni.org for details.
GREGG MICHAEL GARCIA ’06 was admitted to the Erie County (Pa.) Bar in the fall of 2011.
Georgia Conway Johnson ’63VMC, ’83M and Catherine Woofter discuss the latest Gannon happenings with President Taylor in Orlando on Jan. 30.
LESLEE M. HUTCHINSON ’06C, ’10C was appointed to the Pennsylvania Early Learning Council by Gov. Tom Corbett. MATTHEW C. OCHALEK ’06 is a theology teacher at Mercyhurst Prep in Erie. MICHAEL J. MITCHELL ’06 is a project engineer for Lockheed Martin Corp. in Orlando, Fla.
President Taylor chats with (L to R) Kathleen and Tom Benedik ’56 and Tony and Leslie Ryan ’76VMC at the Naples Taylor on Tour stop on Feb. 22.
REV. SEMAJ Y. VANZANT SR. ’06 was installed as the pastor of Christ Church in Oklahoma City on March 18, 2012. STEFANIE J. MACCAGLIA ’07M is a third grade teacher at Dassa McKinney Elementary School in West Sunbury, Pa. TREVOR L. MURNOCK ’07M is assistant principal at Cathedral Prep in Erie, a position he’s held since 2009.
JENNA R. ADAMCZYK ’08 had a paper titled, “Size-selective predation by round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) on dreissenid mussels in the field,” published in the Journal of the Great Lakes Research. Adamczyk worked with Gannon biology faculty Gregory Andraso, Ph.D., and Michael Ganger, Ph.D., on the article.
alumnotes
CONOR J. MULCAHY, D.O. ’05 successfully completed board certification with the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a staff physician at Gray Medical Associates in Windber, Pa.
Taylor on Tour
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CHRISTINA M. DYCKES ’09 is a physician assistant at UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital in Erie.
Alumni Events Educate, Entertain
DR. BRADLEY J. MEALY, D.C. ’09 is a chiropractor and owner of Gonstead Family Chiropractic of Erie. NIKOLA DROBAC ’09C graduated in December 2011 from Penn State with a master’s degree in education. KAYLEE A. KEBORT ’09 is employed at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. JAIMIE A. PIERCE ’09, ’10M is a physician assistant at Montgomery Cardiology in Rockville, Md. MELISSA (HANELY) SINGH ’09 is director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for three Catholic parishes in St. Marys, Pa.
’10s DANA B. ROUSSEAU ’10 is a registered nurse in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. TYLER M. BATTS ’11 signed a professional contract to play for the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Titans of the Indoor Football League. Batts was a tailback/returner for the Golden Knights and plays wide receiver for the Titans, whose inaugural season began in February. He still holds the Gannon record for career kickoff return average (21.40). WESLEY C. DAVIS ’11M is a physical therapist at NovaCare Rehabilitation in Meadville, Pa., and Aegis Therapies in Cambridge Springs, Pa. ANTHONY R. PRIBONIC ’11 was among the honorees of the Young Erie Professionals’ 2011 Generation-E Awards. Pribonic is the owner of iRock Fitness, which he founded while attending Gannon. He also founded an annual charity race with proceeds from this year going to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia.
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Combined, nearly 100 students and guests turned out to hear fall and spring ExecutiveOn-Campus speakers, like Donald Wagner ’68, on Nov. 17. A professional entrepreneur, Wagner spoke during a breakfast and lunch forum. He also visited several business classes, had dinner with members of the University’s Student Government Association and toured the One Green World Café, a student-produced on-campus venture. He’s pictured here with SGA members Lexie Mastro, Kerri Stasiak and Allison Adkins. On March 15, Stephen Nelson, M.A., M.D. ’79 served as the spring Executive-On-Campus speaker. He is the chief medical examiner for Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit and was the consulting neuropathologist in the 2005 death of Terry Schiavo and the 2007 death of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith. Events during the day included an informal breakfast and lunch, classroom discussions and a student round-table dinner.
The spring Alumni Lunchtime Lecture, sponsored by Liberty Mutual, featured Gannon’s Judy Van Rheenen ’85, director of the International Student Office, and a panel of international students and alumni representing the cultures of India, China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as study abroad participants. The panel’s presentation, “It’s a Small World: International Gannon,” provided insight into foreign cultures, allowed guests to sample ethnic cuisine and offered a sneak preview of the University’s popular International Night. On March 28, former Gannon first lady Mary Lou Scottino ’74 (center), Dr. Sandra Lee, Ph.D. (professor and research associate in the Alberto Institute of Italian Studies at Seton Hall University, at left) and Norma Palandra Webb (an active member of Erie’s Italian American Women’s Association, at right) presented their book, Italian Americans of Greater Erie, during a special evening alumni lecture. The trio presented copies of photos they collected for their work to Gannon Archives following the discussion. You hear footsteps outside your hall or think you saw a shadow out of the corner of your eye as you work late in the labs of Zurn. Was it your imagination, or a spirit haunting the Gannon grounds? Gannon’s own Jeffrey Bloodworth, Ph.D., professor of history, presented the fall Alumni Lunchtime Lecture on Oct. 26 and discussed all of the University’s “haunted” hallways and unexplained phenomena. “Ghosts of Gannon,” which saw a large crowd of 70, was sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Log on to www.gannonalumni.org to see photos from past events and add upcoming events to your calendar!
Where in the World? Our alumni are everywhere—and now, so is Gannon Magazine! Here are just a few places it has been seen lately: When Doug Rohde ’86 flew to California last fall for the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists annual meeting in San Francisco, he took his latest Gannon Magazine along for the plane ride—and also on his visit to nearby Alcatraz.
Doug Rohde ’86
Gannon Magazine took to the seas with Edward Yonders ’63 and his wife, Barb, who were traveling aboard the Celebration on a cruise in the Bahamas. Kathy (Killmeyer) Schmidt ’70VMC visited Tokyo in October 2011, and is seen here displaying her magazine in front of a Buddhist temple pagoda.
Edward Yonders ’63 Kathy (Killmeyer) Schmidt ’70VMC
Mary Suzanne Smith, 72, of Edinboro, Pa., died Sept. 21, 2011 at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie. A longtime professor, she taught nursing at Villa Maria College beginning in January 1967 and continued teaching at Gannon after the two schools merged until her retirement in July 1999. During these years, she served in a number of positions, including associate professor of nursing, interim chair of the Villa Maria School of Nursing and director of the Advising Center.
Alumni
Jeanette (Sprowls) McDonald ’35VMC Madelyn (Bruder) Chaffee ’42VMC Mary W. Eisert ’42VMC Frances Eileen Lynch ’42VMC John P. Connolly ’47 William A. Richter, Ph.D. ’47 Henry J. Robie ’48 Joseph G. Schroeck ’48 Robert F. Smith ’48 John J. Yanosko ’48 Daniel D. Daleski ’49 Dr. Vincent Thomas Mannarelli ’49 Leonard F. Earick ’50 Warren H. Saunders ’50 Robert A. Scypinski ’50 William Stebnisky ’50 Ferdinand A. Bower ’51 Frank W. Latt ’51 George Simon ’51 Edward E. Kawana ’52
Leon A. Presto ’52 Alex F. Chrobak ’53 Elaine (Ranus) McCarty ’55VMC James J. Jarvis ’57 John William “Bill” Jones ’58 Robert G. Carey, Esq. ’61 Neil N. Turner ’61 Joseph P. Kleiner ’62 Lt. Col. Michael A. Tryon ’62 Rev. Robert J. Kerner ’64 William G. Oatman ’64 Kathleen (Clifford) Parker ’64VMC John R. Radkowski Jr. ’64 Sister M. Lauretana “Anna” Rupczewski, CSFN ’64 Sister Mary Karen Crawford, S.S.J. ’66VMC Linda (Donlin) Blatt ’67VMC Joseph F. Glassmacher ’68 Rolf K. Johnson ’68 Thomas J. Doyle ’69 Bradley J. Kingston ’69
Joann (Maxwell) Mullen, M.S. ’69VMC Robert J. Nelson ’69 Charlotte (Busch) Miller ’70 Mahinder P. Suneja ’70 Jessie (Blanchard) Dobbs ’74 William I. Seelinger ’75 David D. Wessman ’75 Regina C. Ingram ’79M Jory M. Jackson-Valimont ’80 John M. Quinlan ’82 Jon A. Barletta ’83 Kathryn A. Wagner ’83 Brent K. Pfaff ’84M Gregory F. Scarpino ’84 Barbara (Sciamanda) Luciano ’85 Erika M. Freeman ’86, ’94M Kay (Domaracki) Wojciak ’86 Christine (Urbaniak) Sullivan ’92 Diane L. Henry ’93 Julie (Stephens) Kiskadden ’93 Liliana (Rodriguez) Dill ’94 John K. Nagorsky ’94 Julie (Andrulonis) Duttine ’97 Michael R. Walter ’99 David M. Spinelli Jr. ’05 William R. Chapnick ’10
Friends
Michael R. Hardesty Aristides Katos Mary Jane Layden Dr. David G. Tompkins Jason R. Wahl Jeffrey W. Yates
alumnotes
in memoriam
Mary Sue Smith
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New Inductees to GU Athletics Hall Nine individuals and one team were inducted into the Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame during a special event held Jan. 21. The latest class increased the Gannon Hall of Fame membership to 56 inductees.
The children of Mike Corbett ’91M, who passed away in 2002, accepted his award: Bo Corbett and Lindsay Corbett, a senior psychology major and softball team member at Gannon. Corbett produced a 323-179 career record during 12 seasons as head softball coach, equaling a .643 winning percentage. He led Gannon to its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1999 and served as the University’s director of athletics from 2000 until his passing.
Kristin (Roseberry) Kachmar ’03 is the only four-time All-American in the history of the Gannon women’s basketball program. The standout center’s four-year career numbers include 2,147 points, 824 field goals, a .561 field goal percentage, 117 games played, 916 rebounds, 98 blocked shots and 499 free throws. She is Gannon’s all-time leader in free throws made while ranking second in points, second in field goals made, second in field goal percentage, second in games played, third in scoring average and third in rebounds.
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Todd Proper ’01, ’06M was a twosport athlete at Gannon, excelling in both wrestling and football. The former heavyweight became the wrestling program’s first-ever three-time All-American, becoming the first Golden Knight to earn the honor in nine years. He is Gannon’s all-time leader in overall winning percentage (.856), pins (54) and dual meet winning percentage (.912). Proper was Gannon’s all-time victory leader for 10 years with 107 until the record was broken during the 2010-11 season.
Jacki Windon ’01 helped Gannon advance to the 2000 and 2001 NCAA tournaments. A four-year starter, Windon is Gannon’s all-time leader in three-point field goals (299) and steals (345). The former guard ranks second all-time at Gannon in assists (647), owns the top two single-season three-point field goal totals in school history and the top three single-season steal totals in school history. Her 89 three-pointers in 2000-01 and her 95 steals in 1999-2000 are still the best single-season marks in school history.
A four-year letterwinner, John Oldach ’90 helped put Gannon wrestling on the map. His collegiate career included 105 victories, setting the school record for victories at the time, which stood for another 10 years. He still ranks second all-time at Gannon in overall victories, dual winning percentage and dual victories.
Heather (Petras) Primrose ’96 is one of two volleyball studentathletes to have their jersey retired. She graduated as the school’s recordholder in career assists (3,426) and was tied with Kathleen Wotus Kuhns ’93 for second place in career digs with 1,293. Primrose currently ranks second in career assists and fourth in career digs. She also joins Wotus Kuhns as the only Lady Knights to earn American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America status, finding a spot on the second team in 1994.
Nomination forms for the 2013 Gannon University Athletics Hall of Fame are available online at www.gannonsports.com and will be accepted through July 31.
of Fame Honored
Pat Ferrara is a 2012 Distinguished Service Award recipient. He has been Gannon’s longtime kicking coach, serving as a member of the Golden Knights football coaching staff since 1991. He tutored Jeremy Ditzler ’11, who is Gannon’s all-time leader in career field goals (33) and field goal percentage (63.5), as well as former Gannon kickers Brendan McNicholas ’07, Tim Hrivnak ’98, Jarrett Kier ’04 and Adam Foust ’07, ’10DPT, who are among Gannon’s all-time top five in field goals made.
The induction of the 1961-62 men’s basketball team is a fitting tribute to a squad celebrating its 50th anniversary. Coached by Gannon Hall of Famer George Hesch ’55 and assisted by fellow Hall of Famer Howard “Bud” Elwell ’55 and Dick Fox ’58, the squad became the first basketball team in school history to compete in the NCAA tournament. Four members of this squad have already been inducted into the Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame: Willie Alford ’65, Jack Byrnes, Joe Gaeta ’62 and Al Lawson ’65. Other key team members include: Matt Andrews ’65, Tom Carroll ’62, Jim Cipalla ’89, John Holeva ’63, Ben Kuster ’62, Jerry Lott ’60, ’90M, John Mauro ’62, Jim McCallion ’65, Al Stankiewicz and Bob Ward ’64. Cliff Kirsch ’62 and Jerry Gorup ’65 served as team managers. At the January ceremony, several inductees were represented by family.
alumnotes
Gary Miller ’72 is a 2012 Distinguished Service Award recipient. Miller has been a longtime supporter of Gannon Athletics and a longtime basketball season ticket holder. A loyal member of the Gannon Booster Club since 1974, he has traveled to Springfield, Mass., twice to support the men’s team in NCAA Division II tournament play and has been responsible for sponsoring several alumni basketball games over the years. Miller has also sponsored Gannon’s annual Thanksgiving men’s basketball tournament, known as the Gary Miller Classic, since 1984.
Art Arkelian ’51 is a two-year football letterwinner who played halfback and special teams, serving as co-captain both years. The Golden Knights posted an 8-0 record during their first season in 1949, representing the only undefeated
campaign in University history. Arkelian was later named to the Associated Press Little All-American team twice and the All-Pennsylvania third team. He is one of only four players in the history of the program to return a kickoff for a touchdown and one of only three players in school history to return two punts for a touchdown in the same season.
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A Word from the President
endnotes
Our New Mission Statement and Growing Perspective Make it a Small World After All We often hear that the world is getting smaller in terms of global travel and business activity, but I prefer to think of the world as growing larger in terms of the potential reach and impact of Gannon, our students and alumni. On campus and around the globe, we have made a commitment to fulfill our roles as global citizens, which often takes the form of international service. During spring break, I joined Arlene Montevecchio, director of Gannon’s Center for Social Concerns, and seven students on an Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) to Croix-desBouquets, a suburb of Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince. The Haitian community and the children of the Maison Notre Dame de Lourdes will certainly benefit from the good work completed during the trip, but I believe each member of the Gannon team have received and will receive the greater benefit as a result of our personal transformation. The mixed emotions of love, sadness, hope and compassion in the eyes of our students and the children when we made our exit through the airport doors will always stay with me. These are just the sort of experiential learning moments that makes a Gannon education so powerful. The Haiti trip was one of four international and domestic ABSTs made by Gannon students and staff this year. You can read more about the other trips on p. 6; you can also check out the blog of the El Salvador trip at http://guabstelsalvador. blogspot.com. ABSTs and expanding study abroad offerings are just part of Gannon’s growing initiative to affirm our commitment to keeping a global perspective in our academic and service work. This goal is also supported by the University’s revised Mission Statement, which was ratified by the Board of Trustees in February. It reads: Gannon is a Catholic, Diocesan university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Our faculty and staff prepare students to be global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations. Inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we offer a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.
President Taylor with Carlot, a Relief Team One volunteer, during Gannon's 2012 Alternative Break Service Trip to Haiti.
The purposeful inclusion in the Mission Statement of our goal of preparing students to be global citizens coincides with a growing Gannon international student population and campus culture of inclusiveness and intercultural awareness. This semester, Gannon enrolled 365 international students, hosted 11 students from Singapore as part of the new Global Visitors Program and welcomed one Pakistani student through the Global UGRAD-Pakistan program. You can read about both programs and their impact on p. 2. Yes, the world is shrinking, and Gannon is finding and accepting our full responsibility and role in it. With careful planning and implementation of strategic initiatives, we can Believe in the possibilities of enriching the lives of both our students and the people they touch around the world.
Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President 32
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Brought to Gannon by Providence, Giving to Gannon in Gratitude
When it came to selecting a university, Mary Carlson Cardot ’75 felt pretty strongly about a few points: she wanted to move away, and she wanted to pursue a degree in journalism. But with the turmoil of the 1970s swirling around the country, Mary’s parents urged her to consider staying with them and attending Gannon University. Between listening to her parents’ encouragement and attending a Gannon symposium on social work, Mary ended up changing her college plans and career choice. “I ended up loving my four years at Gannon,” Mary says. “I developed incredible relationships with students and faculty members and received an excellent education.” Mary and Will Cardot’s daughter, Beth, grew up frequenting events at Gannon, but she too thought she would go away for college. “Beth used to say, ‘As much as I like Gannon, I would never go to school around here,’” Mary said. But as it happens, Beth did choose Gannon and graduated from the University in May 2011. “I feel so strongly that Gannon made me who I am today, and my husband and I really believe in what Gannon is doing and want it to continue,” Mary says. That’s why the Cardots decided to leave a portion of their estate to Gannon University in their will. “We feel very blessed with the kind of life we’ve led,” Mary says. “We want to not only give back, but pay it forward to allow other students to follow their dreams.”
“I’m so thankful for the morals, values and ethics that my parents taught me, and my time at Gannon only helped to reinforce them.”
Interested in including Gannon in your estate plans? We’re happy to lead you through the simple process of making a planned gift to the University. To learn more, contact Tony Fulgenzio, director of philanthropy, at 814-871-7786 or fulgenzi001@gannon.edu.
—Mary Carlson Cardot ’75
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Do you remember…2000 to today
...when the GoFish! public art project took over Erie (Summer 2001)?*
...when the No. 1-ranked, undefeated women’s basketball team won both the PSAC Tournament and NCAA Division II East Regional, advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the first time in school history (March 2010)?
...when the University transitioned from a two- to a threecollege structure and the former Verizon building was purchased, renovated and named for Gannon’s largest donor to date, Robert H. Morosky ’63 (August 2007)?
➊ With a 65-48 victory over Millersville University before a sold-out Hammermill crowd (a first for women’s basketball), the Lady Knights won their first-ever regional championship on March 15, 2010. ➋ “The Teaching Fish,” by Gannon’s own Mary Carol Gensheimer, resides in front of Keim Commons. The GoFish! project was designed to promote community pride and benefited, in part, the Gannon Scholarship Fund. ➌ Renovations to the Morosky Academic
...when Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu visited campus (April 2000)?*
...when construction on a brand-new multipurpose athletic field was completed (March 2001)?*
Center, which welcomed health sciences students in the Fall 2008 Semester, lasted about 12 months. The building was officially blessed and dedicated on Sept. 26, 2008. ➍ Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke on unity and racial harmony to a crowd of more than 1,500 people in April 2000. His free lecture was the final installment of Gannon’s Distinguished Speaker Series in honor of the University’s 75th anniversary. ➎ Student-athletes (L to R) Aaron Hertel ’01, ’03M, Sarah Kane ’01, Phil Gnacinski ’03, ’07M, Rich Chessario ’04, ’11, Julie (Piazza) Chiocco ’01, ’04M and Steve Keresztes ’02, ’04M celebrate the groundbreaking of Gannon University Field in July 2000. The 154,000-square-foot space was formally blessed on *Photos courtesy Gannon Archives Aug. 31, 2001.