UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
Faculty, students, and alumni share some of the interesting work they're conducting in the classrooms and in the community.
S umme r 2 0 1 9
Table of Contents
3
President’s Message
4 News
Short stories featuring people, events, and happenings from all facets of campus.
12 Research
Holy Family University faculty, students, and alumni share some of the interesting work they’re conducting in the classrooms and in the community.
26 Athletics
Photo: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
The Tigers celebrate their stand-out moments from the soccer field to the basketball court, and everywhere in between.
28 Vision & Values
Relive some of the best events throughout the year and find out what your classmates are doing.
36 Pen to Paper
Faculty share their areas of expertise in this first-person column.
SUMMER / 2019
Reuniting at Reunion
It’s not a party until the conga line breaks out across the dance floor. Emma DiMarcantonio ’14 got the party started during the Reunion 2019 Le Dîner en Bleu Gala, which celebrated the 2019 reunion classes (all classes ending in “4” and “9”), the Golden Alumni Society (Classes of 1958-1968), and the Class of 2018. We can’t wait to reminisce and dance with our next group of reunion classes (all classes ending in “5” and “0”) at Reunion 2020, which will be held on Saturday, April 25. For more photos from the night, visit page 30.
holyfamily.edu/magazine
1
You change lives. You make an everlasting Your generosity is transformative.
impact.
Donors to the Blue & White Fund, Holy Family University’s Annual Fund, directly support current student financial aid making it possible for our students to realize their dreams of becoming the next generation of teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, nurses, artists and attorneys. With your participation in the Blue & White Fund, you will provide an immediate, everlasting impact on student success. For more information or to make your gift to the Blue & White Fund today, please visit holyfamily.edu/give or call 267-341-5007. “My Holy Family education allowed me to excel in my career while developing valuable relationships. These difference makers are the reason I remain connected to the university through a close-knit group of alumni and friends who I consider my family. These experiences are the reasons why I remain committed to giving back as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors and as a donor to the Blue & White Fund. I give every year because I love Holy Family and I want to support our current students, who I believe will become our next generation of leaders.” Roshan Pulimkalayil, ’16, M’18
Editor David Pavlak /HolyFamilyUniversity
@HolyFamilyU
Art Director Jay Soda Contributing Writers David Pavlak Greg Pellegrino Bernice Purcell Contributing Feature Photographer Julia Lehman-McTigue
Holy Family University
HolyFamilyU
HFU_Official
/holyfamilyuniversity
2
All photos credited on page.
President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD Vice President for University Advancement James C. Garvey, EdD Interim Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Amy Beyer Holy Family University Magazine is published semiannually. Please address correspondence to: Editor, Holy Family University Magazine Marketing & Communications Department 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114 magazine@holyfamily.edu Letters to the Editor become property of the magazine. The opinions and views expressed in Holy Family University Magazine do not necessarily reflect the official policies of Holy Family University. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published information. Holy Family University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, gender, age (as defined in the relevant statutes), veteran status, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other classification protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy extends to all educational, employment, and service programs at the University and complies with applicable federal laws. Holy Family University is committed to providing all qualified applicants and employees equal employment opportunities, not only because it is the law, but also because of our belief that adherence is morally correct. Holy Family University complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution's education programs and activities. For information regarding the University’s ADA/Section 504 for students and for Title IX information, contact Marianne Price at 267-341-3204, Campus Center Room 202. For inquiries regarding equal employment opportunity/non-discrimination, contact Human Resources at 267-341-3479.
SUMMER / 2019
President's Message
Dear Holy Family University Community:
A
s spring transitions into summer, at the end of our academic year, changes in the campus community mirror those in nature. Commencement marks the beginning of “new life” for our graduates. Orientation ushers in a host of new students each with potential to be realized through seasons of nurturing growth. Witnessing these changes, we are reminded anew of our commitment to provide an environment in which each individual has an opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential, a Mission that rests squarely upon our core values. As they inform our students’ development, these values foster progression from a base of established truth to an exploration of the less-well known or the less-well understood. This ability to identify questions, research answers, and evaluate findings is the essence of an educated person. In its most basic form, research is part of our everyday life and experience. At its best, research has the potential to shape global reality, providing us with a better understanding of life’s complexities and the ability to engage in collaborative dialogue while sharing acquired wisdom. Currently, a number of our esteemed faculty are engaged in research spanning disciplines in health care, politics, and business, among others. Working on projects with these faculty, our students recently completed presentations of their findings to a range of audiences on campus and at local symposia. In this volume of Holy Family University Magazine, we share this research and profiles of those conducting it with you. The sample of research shared, while truly impressive, cannot fully convey the excitement and involvement of the students engaged in it or the generous dedication of those guiding them. We recognize the educational value of these efforts and the resultant potential for future good in our society and world as new skills and insights are brought to the ever evolving and expanding research agenda. Perhaps most importantly, we hope that this experience of research will help those engaged in it, and those benefitting from it, to better understand not only the dynamic intricacies of our world, but the interdependence and interrelatedness of all life as infused by a divine creator.
Photo: Bob Scott
We hope you enjoy! Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD President
holyfamily.edu/magazine
3
News
Celebrating our 65th Birthday in Style Holy Family University celebrated its 65th birthday with the new “Great Day to be a Tiger” event on February 11. The afternoon and night included a Taste of Philly luncheon, interactive and engaging Tiger Talks that were modeled after TED Talks, and a “Sto Lat” birthday party, honoring the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth’s Polish heritage. The night was emceed by FOX 29’s Bob Kelly. The night also coincided with the University’s Day of Giving. A goal of 165 donors was set, and ultimately surpassed, unlocking a $10,000 match from a group of leadership donors. “We were thrilled to be able to share our birthday with the wonderful community that makes up the heart and soul of Holy Family University: the students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” said President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD. “Great Day to be a Tiger is a new twist on our yearly celebration. We were fortunate to welcome Bob Kelly from FOX 29 for the day, who brings his positive energy to our campus every time he visits.” To view photos from Great Day to be a Tiger, please visit page 28.
With the Quaker City string band leading the way, President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD and FOX 29’s Bob Kelly, the night’s emcee, led the procession to the “Sto-Lat” birthday party on February 11.
Holy Family University launched the Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership, a Rapid Degree program. Organizational Leadership is a field of study within business management where students learn ways in which highly functional organizations operate and the role that strong leaders play in contributing to this success. The Organizational Leadership program will allow students to learn how to help a company transition individuals and whole organizations to meet new industry trends and developments as they happen. Students will have the chance to develop the components that are crucial to a management position. “We are very excited to offer a program that is designed to uniquely prepare students for positions of leadership within their organizations,” said Dr. Karen Galardi ’86, Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies.
4
“Students will be challenged to evaluate ethical issues facing their organization and aid their fellow employees in creating an ethical culture appropriate to their unique situation.” Classes are offered in eight-week hybrid terms, with students meeting face-to-face in only two of those weeks. The rest of the class time is completed online. Face-to-face meetings are held on Saturdays at Holy Family’s Northeast Philadelphia campus. “We understand that professionals have busy lives so we created this program to best meet their schedules while allowing for collaborative, real-time discussions in a classroom setting,” Galardi said. Holy Family’s Rapid Degree programs were developed to help students get to the next level in their career, or finish a degree, in an alternative format to the traditional college semester.
SUMMER / 2019
Photo: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
New MS in Organizational Leadership Rapid Degree Program Launches
Rosen Publishes Pair of Works Dr. Jonathan Rosen, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Arts and Sciences, and his co-author, Hanna Samir Kassab, released their latest collaborative book, Corruption, Institutions, and Fragile States. The book was published by Palgrave Macmillan. They previously published Drugs, Gangs, and Violence in September 2018. Rosen also published “Rethinking the Mechanisms of Gang Desistance in a Developing Country” in the journal Deviant Behavior alongside co-author José Miguel Cruz. Amanda Gurecki ’19, a criminal justice major, provided comments and edits
and is mentioned in the acknowledgment. “In Corruption, Institutions, and Fragile States, my co-author and I examine the nature of corruption, which plays an important role in facilitating criminal activities,” Rosen said. “We concentrate on the relationship between state fragility and corruption. States plagued by high levels of corruption and impunity serve as ideal places for drug cartels, gangs, and other criminal groups. In this book, we look at corruption around the world, including Central Asia and the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and Central America, Russia, and Eastern Europe.”
Photo: Courtesy of Abigail Wernicki
Abigail Wernicki Named Vice President for Student Affairs On December 17, Holy Family University announced the appointment of Abigail Wernicki, PhD, as Vice President for Student Affairs. Dr. Wernicki has over 10 years of experience as an undergraduate instructor. Additionally, she has combined experience in graduate and undergraduate enrollment management, communications and marketing, and program development. Her leadership roles in higher education include Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services at Reading Area Community College, as well as Director of Graduate Admissions at DeSales University. “We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Abigail Wernicki to Holy Family University, where she will serve as Vice President for Student Affairs,” said President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD. “Abigail brings a variety of experiences that will benefit various constituents across campus and we look forward to her making an impact for our students.” Wernicki graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College) in Lynchburg, VA; a Master of Arts in Theological & Philosophical Studies from Drew University, in Madison, NJ; and a PhD in Theological & Philosophical Studies, also from Drew University. “I am thrilled to be joining the Holy Family University family, not only because I believe in the mission of the University, but also because of the talented community of faculty and staff who I will have the privilege of working alongside in service of that mission,” Wernicki said. “From my initial conversations with Sister Maureen and senior administration, to the interactions I have had during my first few days on campus, I have witnessed a genuine commitment to student success, as well as an openness to new ideas and creative thinking. I hope to bring some new creative vision to Student Affairs, which will align with the mission of the University, and leverage the momentum of the great work that is already underway in the division.”
holyfamily.edu/magazine
Author Speaks about New Book On April 4, author Judith Kelly visited Holy Family University to talk about her book, Just Call Me Jerzy: Popieluszko in the United States and Canada. The book introduces us to Jerzy Popieluszko, an important figure in the annals of Polish history and the Catholic Church, and whose life and death can serve as a lesson and an inspiration in today’s challenging times.
Criminal Justice Adds New Concentration The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program added two new concentrations in Public Safety Leadership and Cyber Security. These tracks provide technical and soft skills that culminate in an applied capstone experience as a foundation for a career in the criminal justice field.
Cheerleading Places First The Holy Family Cheerleading Team placed first in the 17th annual Garnet Valley Cheer Challenge on January 26.
5
News
Ray and Mildred Taylor Awards Fund Research and Relationship Building Holy Family University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Michael Markowitz, announced the 2019 recipients of the Ray and Mildred Taylor Awards during the University’s Spring Business Meeting on January 16. The award program was established through an endowment created by Carol Taylor, RN, PhD, a former University faculty member who served from 1979-87 and 1995-97 in the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. Taylor and her family created the award to honor her parents: Raymond and Mildred Taylor. Carol was honored by the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions in October 2012 with its highest award, the Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award.
2018-19 Ray and Mildred Taylor Awards Approved Project Descriptions Understanding the Intricacies of Neural Development Dr. Jaclyn Myers Associate Professor School of Arts and Sciences
This grant will fund the purchase of specific equipment aimed at advancing the study of the expression of proteins involved in the development of neuronal cells.
New Computer Purchase Dr. Christopher Carbone Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
This grant will fund the purchase of a high-resolution computer to analyze quantitative and qualitative research data collected through the use of a fluorescent microscope.
“This year’s recipients of the Ray and Mildred Taylor Awards are using this vital grant money to embark on thought-provoking research projects and strengthening important international relationships for Holy Family University,” Markowitz said. “This type of research and relationship building is crucial for Holy Family to continue to showcase its vastly-talented faculty to a growing audience, which in turn strengthens the educational opportunities for our students.”
Drugs and Human Trafficking: Trends and Challenges Dr. Patricia Griffin Director of the Graduate Program in Criminal Justice and Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jonathan Rosen
Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. David Whelan
Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
This grant will fund a multidisciplinary conference on criminal justice issues that will be held at Holy Family University.
Initial Partner Development with the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya: Programs in Education Dr. Brian Berry Professor School of Education
This grant will be used to explore the development of a relationship with Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Spain for the purpose of information sharing and possible program development in education.
Drs. Alexa Bonacquisti and Patrick McElwaine ’00, M’04, Assistant Professors in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program, were recently awarded a $1,500 Instructional Resource Award grant from the Society for Teaching of Psychology, a division of the American Psychological Association, to develop modules for teaching counseling skills. Bonacquisti and McElwaine will explore the development and empirical evaluation of instructional resources for teaching counseling skills.
6
These resources will be published in the teaching repository of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, with the duo planning on publishing a manuscript describing these resources and how effective their methods were in improving students’ counseling skills and abilities. The pair also plan on using the grant funds to evaluate their teaching methods, measuring their effectiveness in the classroom. The results will be submitted to advance teaching methods in this area.
SUMMER / 2019
Photo: David Pavlak
Counseling Psychology Professors Earn Grant
HFU Receives Title IX Grant Funding for Second Year Holy Family University was awarded an It’s On Us PA Grant through the Governor’s Office in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on January 9. The grant money, totaling $29,960, will help support continuing education for the Tigers that ROAR program. The grant will be used to create a “Tigers Are…” video series that asks our campus to reflect and share why being a Tiger is important to them, what positive behaviors are expected of a Tiger, and why sexual violence should be every person’s concern within our community. Launched last year, the University’s Tigers that ROAR program is a campus campaign focused on engaging the community in the conversation around sexual violence. Through the program, the University has been able to create programming, training, and structured conversation that gives the community the tools to recognize, respond, and report instances of misconduct.
Ginsberg Named to Psychology Leadership Cohort
Photo: David Pavlak (Ginsberg)
Dr. Freda Ginsberg, Director of the Graduate Counseling Psychology program, was named to the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP) 2019 cohort. Ginsberg was nominated by Dr. Shelley Robbins, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Created by the American Psychological Association, applicants are mid-career women psychologists working full time in a variety of fields, including academia, clinical, corporate, and non-profit.
holyfamily.edu/magazine
“Getting accepted to the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology is truly an honor,” Ginsberg said. “I am grateful that Dean Robbins nominated me to participate in this prestigious experience. The acceptance letter I received from the Senior Director of the Women’s Program Office noted that I was accepted, ‘in recognition of my outstanding career achievements and demonstrated leadership potential.’” Ginsberg has been with Holy Family University since 2016, serving as Director of the Graduate Counseling Psychology and Doctorate of Counseling Psychology programs. Ginsberg’s expertise is focused on not-forprofit-social service management, socialjustice counseling, service delivery to women and minority populations, counseling Jewish individuals, trauma and crisis intervention, eating disorders, social justice, multicultural and feminist pedagogy, and mentoring students.
Rosen Speaks at Mexican Senate Dr. Jonathan Rosen, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Arts and Sciences, recently participated in a day-long event at the Mexican Senate where he spoke about the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Hope’s Book Explores Important Poets Warren Hope, Adjunct Professor for the School of Arts and Sciences, recently published A Movement of Minds, a collection of biographical sketches of important poets, including Ernest Lacy and Edwin Arington Robinson. The book was published by Greenwich Exchange Publishing.
New Second Degree BSN Track Holy Family University now offers a new, part-time, 20-month cohort for the Second Degree BSN program. The cohort meets two nights per week with weekend clinical programs.
7
News
Peterson, S. Pimentel Presented Honorary Degrees at Commencement difficult conditions in their home countries. She and her legions of volunteers provide humanitarian assistance to refugees once they are released from the detention facilities. Sister Norma’s work with immigrants dates back to the 1980s when she helped organize and operate Casa Oscar Romero in Brownsville, TX. In 2014, she helped establish the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, TX. Sister Norma was awarded the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University in 2018 in recognition of her compassionate care for migrants and refugees. In 2015, Pope Francis publicly thanked and praised Sister Norma for her work at the border. For more photos from Commencement, visit page 31.
Alumni Honored with Achievement Awards Four distinguished alumni were named recipients of the Alumni Achievement Award during Alumni Reunion 2019, held at The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale on April 27. The award honors a graduate who displays great achievements professionally or in the community. Melissa (McAteer) Costello ’01 M’03 has devoted more than 25 years of volunteer service to Bridesburg Recreation Center in Philadelphia. Her countless hours and dedicated efforts have motivated many of the local residents’ children to volunteer and give back to the various programs the recreation center offers. She is now one of three directors running the summer camp program, which was recently featured on FOX 29’s Good Day Philadelphia. Anne Bradley Leopold ’11 is the Founder and CEO of Emmaus Home, which provides homes and workplaces where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together as peers, create inclusive communities of faith and friendship, and transform society through relationships that cross social boundaries. Emmaus Home has been featured on EWTN and has touched the lives of many families in the Delaware Valley.
8
Linda (Thatcher) Raichle, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), FACEHP, PhD ’70 recently retired from a professional career devoted to the field of continuing medical education, teaching physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers about new and emerging medicines to improve patient care. Her 30+ years in the field included experiences in hospitals, the federal government, professional organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and medical communication companies. Matt Topley ’94 is the Chief Investment Officer and Partner at Fortis Wealth. Topley has a unique, global perspective on investing that he gained from nearly two decades on the trading desk and from studying abroad. He is dedicated to many organizations, devoting his time and expertise, with a focus on helping inner-city schools and first-generation college students.
SUMMER / 2019
Photo: Julia Lehman-McTigue/Susan Beard Design (Commencement); Photos courtesy of Costello, Leopold, Raichle, and Topley (Alumni)
Holy Family University proudly bestowed the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, to Thomas B. Peterson and Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, during its 2019 Commencement ceremony on May 14. Peterson is a television producer, author, and Catholic evangelist who after 25 years as
an award-winning corporate advertising executive, experienced a transforming spiritual conversion during adoration of the Eucharist. Following this spiritual awakening, Peterson left the corporate world and devoted his talents to helping others renew and affirm their faith. In doing so, he founded two media apostolates: Catholics Come Home and VirtueMedia.org. Sister Norma is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus religious order and serves as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville, TXs. For the last four years of her ministry, Sister Norma has been tirelessly devoted to caring for individuals and families who are fleeing to the US from
Eric Nelson Named VP for Finance and Administration On May 20, Holy Family University announced the appointment of Eric Nelson, MBA to the position of Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer. Nelson will serve as a member of the senior administration, reporting directly to the President, and will be responsible for the operations and strategy that sustains and advances the financial well-being of the University and related functions. Prior to Holy Family University, Nelson worked at Arcadia University, where he served as Vice President for Finance/Administration and University Treasurer since 2015. “I am pleased to welcome Eric Nelson to Holy Family University,” said Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD, President. “I am confident that Mr. Nelson’s combination of training and experience makes him an excellent match for his role at Holy Family and a strong asset now and in the future. I ask that everyone please join me in welcoming him to the campus community. Additionally, as Mr. Nelson joins our team, I wish to acknowledge the work of Patrick McCormick who has been a tremendous asset to the University during a period of significant transition.” At Arcadia, Nelson identified permanent cost savings for the University without affecting any level of services offered; guided three positive fiscal years that resulted in revenue surpluses; and oversaw the completion of multiple building programs, among other accomplishments.
Photo: David Pavlak
Student-Athletes Honored with Sports Scholar Awards Six Holy Family University student-athletes have been recognized with the 2019 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Award in the latest issue of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. The honorees included Charles Afful, a junior business management marketing major on the men’s soccer team; Antonia Barker, a sophomore pre-physical therapy major on the women’s track & field team; Dana Dockery, a junior sports marketing-management major on the women’s basketball team; Sam Klem ’19, a computer information systems major on the softball team; Anjelai
holyfamily.edu/magazine
Hayes, a sophomore math-secondary education major on the women’s basketball and track & field teams; and Alleyn Llaban, a junior accounting major on the tennis team. “Along with the Department of Athletics and the Holy Family University community, I would like to congratulate all of our studentathletes who were honored as 2019 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars,” said Tim Hamill, ’04, M’08 Director of Athletics. “To be recognized nationally for success in the classroom, on the field of play and in service to the community is a tremendous honor.”
Criminal Justice Student Presents Research at Conference Kate Coffey ’19 presented “The Effectiveness of Mentoring on Juvenile Delinquency” on March 30 at The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ 56th Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Habitat for Humanity Holy Family’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity spent its spring break, March 10-16, in Laredo, Texas, helping to build homes for those in need in the area.
HFU Partners with Homeland Security Investigations Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Special Agent in Charge of Philadelphia partnered with the Graduate Criminal Justice Program to host representatives from the HSI Human Rights Violator and War Crimes Center on March 22 to raise awareness on Female Genital Mutilation.
9
News
Justin Biegenwald, a junior business intelligence major, completed an internship with the Disney College Program, spending his spring semester in Florida working for Walt Disney World. Biegenwald, a longtime Disney fan, knew that the company’s college program was an experience he wanted to achieve before graduating. “For as long as I can remember, it’s always been a dream of mine to work for the Walt Disney Company,” he said. “This opportunity gave me the best chance to achieve this dream. In addition, it was perfect as an
internship. It definitely increased my guest and customer relations skills, gave me experience in a Fortune 500 company, and many networking opportunities.” Biegenwald worked in guest relations at Blizzard Beach Water Park and Tomorrowland, specifically working on two attractions: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. “I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got the email saying I was accepted. Being in Disney for such an extended period of time was incredible. I made friends from not only across the country but also across the world that will honestly last a lifetime. All in all, the experience was one of kind, and I would recommend anyone to apply for it because it will definitely change your life.”
IPL Collaborative Presents in Paris The Involuntary Pregnancy Loss (IPL) Collaborative, Drs. Kimberly Dasch-Yee, Jenai Grigg, and Stacy McDonald, visited Paris, France from March 5-8 to present at the eighth annual World Congress of the International Association of Women’s Mental Health (IAWMH). The trio had two presentations during the four-day event: “Grief and Coping Following Pregnancy Loss,” and “Mom Blogs: A Qualitative Analysis of Pregnancy Loss Blog Content.” “Grief and Coping Following Pregnancy Loss” presented results from a survey study that the IPL Collaborative conducted in 2017, which collected data from women who had experienced involuntary loss. The study examined women’s coping and grief following their pregnancy loss; their perceptions of their partner’s grief and coping; and relationship outcomes. “Mom Blogs: A Qualitative Analysis of Pregnancy Loss Blog Content” discussed findings from the Collaborative’s most recent study, which qualitatively analyzed miscarriage blogs for recurring themes. “It was our hope that the information gleaned from this analysis would help highlight inaccuracies and potential gaps in the pregnancy loss literature, and help guide future research in this area,” Grigg said. “This analysis identified the first 30 blog posts that emerged as search results of a Google search for ‘miscarriage blogs.’ From this qualitative analysis, we learned that pregnancy loss can be a complexly emotional experience.” “Most women described feeling compounding emotions that may be conflicting and/or unstable. For example, feeling hope and grief at the same time. Common emotions included not just sadness, but grief, fear, anger, self-blame, guilt, and hope. Mainstream health care approaches may also not be meeting the complex needs of women. Therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, and Reiki are providing some comfort and/or relief for women experiencing pregnancy loss.”
10
Students Analyze Virus Outbreak in Philadelphia Stephanie Gunn, Ashley Larsen, Danielle McDermott, and Taryn Velazquez, students in Dr. Michael Dickman’s Microbiology class, examined the recent mumps outbreak at local Philadelphia and Bucks County schools. “Currently, there is a mini-epidemic of mumps taking place in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties,” said Gunn, a sophomore nursing major. “Our group discovered these Index Cases of Mumps before its rapid spread and mentioned it to Dr. Dickman. Suddenly clusters of mumps cases were reported at Drexel University, West Chester University, and at Pennsbury High School.” The lesson helped the students for various careers in the health care industry. “The best way to protect yourself from mumps and measles is to receive the MMR vaccine in a timely fashion,” said Velazquez, a senior neuroscience major. “Consistently washing your hands and using the correct cough etiquette are additional ways to protect yourself.”
SUMMER / 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Justin Biegenwald; Seeklogo.com (Walt Disney)
Student Internship Includes a Bit of Disney Magic
Holy Family
Night at the Phillies
Thursday, September 12 | 7:05 pm Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves $20 per ticket | Section 310
Spend the evening with Holy Family alumni, students, faculty, and staff and cheer on the Phillies. Holy Family will receive 50% of all tickets sold. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, August 30. Visit holyfamily.edu/phillies.
Accelerate your career on your schedule. RN to BSN • 2nd Degree BSN • MSN • DNP • MBA • MSOL MA in Criminal Justice • BS in Business Administration MS in Accountancy • EdD • MEd • BA in Psychology Check out our alternative to the traditional college semester.
Email rapiddegree@holyfamily.edu or call us at 267-341-3327
The Value of Family
Illustration: iStock.com/SiberianArt
Holy Family University has long prided itself as a teaching institution. From its early beginnings in the 1950s to today, faculty and students alike have benefited by not only learning, but doing. From books to professional publications, lab research to statistical surveys, inside the classroom and in the community, Holy Family’s impact is unquestionable. In this issue, we’re celebrating some of Holy Family’s most interesting research projects from faculty, current students, and alumni. These research projects represent only a small sample size of the cumulative value of a Holy Family education. By David Pavlak Photography by Julia Lehman-McTigue
12 2
WINTER / 2018
holyfamily.edu/magazine
21
Dr. Jackie Myers Associate Professor, School of Arts and Sciences
22
WINTER / 2018
The Brain, HIV, and Neurocognition
I
f you ask Dr. Jackie Myers why she’s interested in understandabnormally activated. We know CXCR4 plays an important role in ing how HIV affects neurocognitive function, you’ll get a simmaintaining normal brain function. When it’s abnormally activatple answer, followed by laughter, before she elaborates. ed, different signaling pathways are turned on that can contribute “Viruses are cool! I’m interested in the way viruses infect to neurodegeneration, which is associated with cognitive impairthe brain, infiltrate the nervous system, and cause neurological ment. So we want to know exactly what’s happening when CXCR4 is problems.” activated by HIV.” The Holy Family University Biology Associate Professor has spent Myers is using a cell-culture model to look at the way signaling the last five years on the fourth floor of Holy Family Hall examining pathways work for neurons expressing CXCR4 when the HIV enveantigenic drift of the influenza virus with a team of students, but it’s lope protein is activated. her work with the brain and HIV that has continually captured her “When we use GP120, or the HIV envelope protein, we see an attention over the past year. The project is an extension of her PhD upregulation in some proteins. When we use natural ligand, the research she completed as a student at Drexel University’s College of normal cell-signaling molecule, there is a downregulation of some Medicine. of the same proteins. One is activating cell death pathways and Myers is trying to contribute to the understanding of the way HIV promotes neuronal loss and one is activating survival pathways and can influence neuronal loss and lead to dementia. neuronal health. We want to know who are the key players in these “We’re interested in HIV, and the way it infects the brain in particroles. That’s how new drug targets will be designed.” ular, because people can live for years with anti-HIV therapy,” Myers She hopes to one day transfer the results of her research toward an said. “The problem with some of these HIV therapies is that the drugs animal model. The University has been working to implement a zebradon’t cross the blood-brain barrier, a region fish laboratory since 2016 when Myers and her colleague, Dr. that regulates items coming and leaving Chris Carbone, received a $75,000 grant the central nervous system. So people with from the George I Alden Trust to purOne is activating cell death pathways HIV can live relatively normal, healthy chase equipment for basic science research and promotes neuronal loss lives, but the virus can still replicate in the and the development of a new zebrafish faciland one is activating survival brain. This can cause neurodegeneration.” ity. HIV, or the human immunodeficiency The Alden Trust offer included a stipulation that Holy pathways and neuronal virus, came to light as an epidemic in the Family University matched the grant’s monetary funding, health. We want to mid-to-late 1970s. The US Department of indicating the institution’s commitment to the zebrafish know who are Health and Human Services estimated that project. This match was made possible through a bequest from in 2017, 36.9 million people were infected Janet Mackiewicz’s estate. Mackiewicz earned three degrees from the key players with the virus worldwide and approxiHoly Family University—Elementary Education/Psychology ’99, in these mately 5,000 new infections occurred each MEd ’09, and Art ’14. She passed away in May 2014 after a battle roles. day. with cancer. Myers’ task is no simple matter. She “During our transition to Holy Family University, we knew an explains that HIV has a surface protein animal-model system was important for research,” Myers said. “Dr. that helps the virus attach to the human Carbone and I came from institutions where murine models, mice host cells. This surface protein binds to a and rats, were the primary research tool. Independently, we concludreceptor on human cells, which allows the ed that the zebrafish model would be the most practical system and virus to get in and replicate. Human cells have would easily integrate into the classroom.” two important receptor types, CD4, which is important for imThe addition of using an animal model would provide more mune system activation, and a chemokine receptor, either CCR5 or clarity and understanding regarding how the process unfolds in a CXCR4, which are important in relaying signals from outside the multicellular organism. cell to inside the cell. “We just want to know what is happening inside of the cell when However, the cells of the nervous system do not have CD4 CXCR4 is activated on the cell surface, how it’s happening, and how receptors on their surface but they do express the signaling receptor the signaling is different in the natural situation compared to the CXCR4. So while HIV does not infect the neurons in the brain, it can pathological situation. In a perfect world, we can use that knowlactivate CXCR4, which causes abnormal brain function. edge to look at developmental processes using the zebrafish model “I’m interested in how the HIV envelope protein activates that to understand how CXCR4 signaling contributes in orchestrating receptor. The neuronal cells don’t get infected, but they can be intricate neuronal structures.”
holyfamily.edu/magazine
15
Dr. Janice Xu Associate Professor, School of Arts and Sciences
Buying Relationships in China’s Digital Culture
C
hina is experiencing a digital phenomenon where its younger generation is renting their time to enhance their income in a new gig economy. Dr. Janice Xu, an Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences and a native of mainland China, researched this controversial topic and presented her findings, “Navigating Gender, Class, and Flexible Labor in China’s Companion-Hiring Apps” during an international conference at MIT in May. “It’s controversial to some extent, but it could be an entry point to understand more about how potential future risks through digital communication technology influences people’s daily lives, especially the younger generation that’s more willing to take a risk,” Xu said. Some apps, like “Hire Me Plz,” are exclusive to China, while others have replicas in the United States. The technology was created to fill two cultural voids: success and generational philosophy. “It’s a product that happens to connect a few trends in modern societies,” she said. “One is the gig economy. You have a normal job and career, but you can also make extra income by becoming an Uber driver or renting through Airbnb. But for a lot of people in their 20s, who are the primary users of this app, they feel that all they have is their time. So they think if they can make extra income by showing up somewhere with somebody to drink coffee, play a game, shop, or watch a movie, they can make some extra income.” “You’re also appeasing the older generation. You combine the tra-
16
dition of marriage and having children with this huge consumer culture and technology, and this app was born and is growing, even though there’s a lot of problems with it.” Xu notes that app subscribers have grown dramatically since 2016, when the platform gained media attention as single people in urban areas began renting temporary partners during the holidays because of the pressure to find a marriage partner. “When they talk about relationships and finding a marriage partner, the two generations have different expectations.” The app isn’t without issues. Law enforcement agencies are trying to determine the legality of the digital agreements that are signed, and there is currently no government regulation for this type of business. There have also been instances of deception, poor personal safety, prostitution, and cyberbullying, among others issues. Still, users flock to these apps to find temporary partners, especially around the Chinese New Year. The process isn’t always simple. “This is China’s gender imbalance, which is a result of the OneChild Policy that dominated the 1980s and 90s. Combined with China’s tradition of emphasizing a male descendant, there is an imbalance in the ratio of men to women. There’s also a term, ‘Leftover Women,’ who are in their late 20s and feel that they cannot find a partner. There is this huge pressure to get married, but not everyone wants to settle down.”
SUMMER / 2019
The Broken Zipper: Understanding DNA Damage
L
istening to Dr. Dian He and Dr. Stan Mauldin from the School of Arts and Sciences talk about nuclear war and keyholes, you’d quickly surmise that their research focuses on the latest trends in fallout shelters, fit for a new World War. What they are actually working on is a bit more complicated than that. The pair, whose presentations “Docking Study of Thymine-Dimer Containing DNA Decamer on Translesion DNA Polymerase Zeta from Dictyostelium discoideum” and “Expression of the Catalytic Domain of DNA Polymerase Zeta from Dictyostelium discoideum” were recently accepted for presentation at the 258th National American Chemical Society Meeting in August, have been working since 2011 to understand the mechanism of how to repair DNA damage using Dictyostelium discoideum, a single-celled organism that can mimic human cancer cells as the model organism. “DNA is a double-helix strand,” He said. “For DNA to replicate and multiply, it has to unravel, which is similar to opening up a zipper on your coat. DNA damage is like your zipper getting stuck and cannot move anymore. Translesion polymerase, an enzyme responsible for bypassing damaged sites on DNA during its replication and multiplication process, is a stronger zipper that pushes through regardless of the damage. To stop cancer from multiplying, you want to stop the process, you want the zipper to stay stuck. Our end goal, which we’re far away from, is to find a mechanism that would allow the zipper to be stuck on that point indefinitely.” In other words, if you jam the zipper, the tumor stops spreading. If the zipper fixes itself or jumps over the damage point, tumors continue to replicate. To mimic human cancer cells, He and Mauldin have enlisted the help of Dictyostelium discoideum, an organism that Mauldin surmises would be the only thing left next to cockroaches if there is to ever be a nuclear war. “We’re multicellular,” Mauldin said. “We have 24 trillion cells. What Dictyostelium does is that it lives as a singlecell organism when it has plenty of food. When it finds that food is limited, it aggregates and forms into a multicellular organism and undergoes development. But it also has this resistance to all sorts of DNA damage.” Using Dictyostelium discoideum, He and Mauldin are able to mimic cancer cells commonly found in humans. “A lot of people get chemotherapy but then their tumors become resistant to those chemotherapeutic agents,” Mauldin said. “Dictyostelium discoideum mimics that. During replication, any kind of damage will stop a polymerase that is trying to replicate DNA in order for it to undergo mitosis, a key step in cell division that results in the multiplication of cells. Not only would a normal cell be doing this, but
holyfamily.edu/magazine
a cancer cell would also be doing this. When a regular polymerase encounters damage, it stalls, switches, falls off, and then these translesion polymerases come on, skip over the damage, and continue the replication.” He is working on understanding the molecular structure of the DNA and the protein it binds with. His computerized model works to understand how the atoms interact in real time. That model then helps Mauldin study the physical protein, where he will clone the genetic sequence and produce the actual Dictyostelium protein in the lab. They’ll then compare the computational model to the actual protein's three-dimensional structure and see if they have a match. The goal is to create a three-dimensional crystalized structure that could be a jumping-off point for targeted medicines in the future. “From knowing the structure, you can then maybe design some better-targeted drugs,” Mauldin said. “In other words, you have the keyhole made for you, you just have to design a key to fit in there,” He continued. “However, it’s not just the cancer cells that have DNA, but you have DNA in every cell. The trick is how do you target those in the cancer cell, but leave those normal, healthy cells alone, so you don’t kill both your friends and your enemy in the same battlefield.”
Dr. Dian He
Dr. Stan Mauldin
Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor School of Arts and Sciences
Overcoming Barriers for Female Politicians
D Dr. Janet McNellis Associate Dean, School of Education
8
r. Janet McNellis, Associate Dean in the School of Education, has research interests that include identity and leadership. However, when she was asked to help coedit a book on the historical and contemporary frameworks of women in politics, she initially was not sure if this topic would fit her areas of expertise. McNellis accepted the challenge and, as co-editor of Pathways into the Political Arena: The Perspective of Global Women Leaders, she found many intersections between the book’s topics and her own background and knowledge. “There’s a lot of women in this country, but when we look at the percentage of women in politics, it’s a small number,” she said. “Fewer women run for office than men, even though if they do run, they have a good chance of getting elected. The authors of the chapters look at barriers women face to becoming politicians, how some women have overcome these barriers, and the motivating forces that inspired them. It’s a mixture of in-depth theoretical analysis of the structures of political systems, along with personal accounts from women who have successfully navigated these systems.” McNellis co-wrote a chapter, “Transformational Aspects of Political Leadership” with Linda Haskins, policy specialist for Dominion Energy, which examines the identity transformation process that many females must undergo, both before they feel comfortable running for office and once they are on the campaign trail. “Traditionally, women are gendered to have attributes that are not necessarily conducive to success in the political field. So they have to learn how to separate their personal sense of self-worth from their professional successes and failures. To be successful politicians, however, they also have to rethink what it means to be successful as a person and a woman.” She notes that men don’t have to go through as extensive a transformation as aspiring female leaders. “Men don’t have to go through this transformation because their goals may be a bit different. While women’s primary goals tend to be geared toward helping others, traditional masculine goals often relate to obtaining power and prestige. Politics is a good fit for these goals.” The rise of female political leaders in the United States is a trend that McNellis can see continuing if more women are able to overcome the barriers in their path. “Most women go into politics because they see something that needs to be changed and they want to help make a difference. Seeing other women successfully becoming politicians gives them role models they can emulate. If we get a critical mass of female politicians, it’s going to become easier for women to incorporate political aspirations into their sense of identity. There’s strength in numbers.”
SUMMER / 2019
Wendi Smith Instructor, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions
Family-Centered Care in the Pediatric ICU
T
he need for family-centered care in the pediatric unit didn’t fully hit Wendi Smith, an Instructor in the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, until she became a mother herself. Although she gave birth to a healthy child, the connection between parent and child is greater than many other bonds. As part of her PhD research at Villanova University, Smith is looking at the perceptions and practice of family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), her specialty area. “I’m using a tool that looks at the perceptions and current practices of nurses,” Smith said. “It’s been used in a lot of pediatric settings, but not specifically the PICU, which is an area that is notoriously difficult to incorporate this model of care. You’re trying to incorporate the family, collaborate on plans, have the parents participate in care, but when you have a patient who is critically ill with all the equipment, that gets really difficult to do.” Family-centered care is becoming more prevalent in the hospital setting, specifically so in pediatric units. However, Smith noticed a lack of family-centered care within the department's most vulnerable patients. Family-centered care, which includes ideals such as dignity, respect, cultural competence, forming partnerships with families, and collaborating on health care plans, among many other items, is a topic that has increased in popularity over the past 20 years. “If you have a child who is a new oncology patient and has a new central line to receive treatment, that child is going to go home with
holyfamily.edu/magazine
it and the parents are going to take care of it eventually. Educating them on how to do it, and then stepping back a little, walking them through it as they do it, and then observing them as they do it, they become a part of the care.” Smith is using the Family-Centered Care Questionnaire Revised, which will be distributed through the American Associate for Critical Care Nurses, to examine the merits of family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit. Her literature review has shown that while nurses understand the importance of family-centered care, it’s not always implemented. “Nurses like control. Part of the difficulty in incorporating this is that they have to give up some of that control. Nurses are ultimately responsible for the care, so it comes back to them, but they also can’t deny a parent. In my 25-year career I’ve had patients that have died. In hindsight, it now haunts me to think that I was maybe telling parents of a dying child that the equipment is very fragile or to not lean on a machine. We need to do better as a whole in pediatric nursing, but especially in the ICU.” She stresses the importance of not just teaching new nurses about family-centered care, but also showing them why it's crucial. “Nurses are the people at the bedside the most. If we’re on the front lines, we’re the ones that can incorporate this more. It’s not just about giving the concepts of it. We need to make it real. How do we operationalize it? We’re better about it, but there’s still more that we can do.”
19
Fighting Cancer Through Advanced Care
D
uring his senior year at Holy Family University, Ryan NeuBeing in the lab isn’t unusual for Neumann Domer, but his journey mann Domer ’16, ’18 had the opportunity to intern at Fox to becoming a Holy Family University graduate took a bit of an odd Chase Cancer Center, one of Pennsylvania’s premier cancerpath. research institutions. Post-graduation, Neumann Domer still roams Originally a biochemistry major his freshman year, Neumann the halls of Fox Chase as a full-time Scientific Technician, working Domer struggled adjusting to college life. In a decision he describes under Dr. Joseph Testa, Co-Leader of the Cancer Biology Program and as a panic move, he changed his major to history, where he completed Chief of Genomic Medicine, as they completed a 40-week study that his degree, though he knew his yearning for science was still there. examined whether a specific gene mutation increases the odds of After graduating in 2016, Neumann Domer returned to Holy Family, developing cancer. this time as a biology pre-med major, to complete a second degree. Neumann Domer worked with mice that were split into two “Science was reinvigorating to me and I found my passion again.” groups: a control group of regularly functioning mice, and genetiAlong the way, Neumann Domer said he relied heavily on the bically-altered mice that contained BAP1, a gene that acts as a human ology faculty, including Drs. Jackie Myers, Stan Mauldin, Dian He, tumor suppressor. Daniel Bassi, and specifically, Chris Carbone, who helped Ryan find “BAP1 helps regulate the function of many genes that are involved his passion for the sciences again. in the cellular process, which is the breaking down of old cells and “I have to give a lot of credit to Dr. Carbone. I came in the summer creation of new ones,” Neumann Domer said. “The idea is that BAP1 of 2015, about to enter my senior year, and I said that I wanted to get helps control cell growth, division, and ultimately cell death. BAP1 back into science. He let me take an Anatomy and Physiology class also helps prevent cells from growing and dividing too rapidly, which and it was so exciting. The anatomy of the human body is amazing ultimately causes cancer. That’s why we're so interested in this study. and got the ball rolling for me again in science. It was an eye-opening We want to see if the BAP1 gene is ultimately going to stop cancer experience.” from growing.” Two separate instances in Neumann Domer’s life solidified his The research team is specifically examining mesothelioma as its desire to work in the medical field. main cancer agent, but it also has the ability to look at other cell- and “When I was five, my best friend lost his father. He had developed a basal-cell carcinomas, and renal cells that are found in the kidneys. clot that went to his heart shortly after undergoing a successful pan“The mice go through one treatment of receiving DMBA, which is creas transplant. When I was 10, that friend also lost his mother to the carcinogen, that starts at about 12 weeks of age. We then use one lung cancer. I remember feeling a sense of hopelessness because of my topical treatment of TPA, which is a promoter that helps the tumors inability to help in any tangible way. Despite the grim prognosis, the that we’ve been trying to grow. It’s like when you people that my best friend’s get a vaccination, and then you get a booster for family turned to for guidThat’s why we're so interested it. The booster is this promoter, which makes sure ance and as a source of hope that the DMBA is constantly being spread on the were the physicians. The ability in this study. We want to see mouse.” of a physician to provide compasif the BAP1 gene is ultimately The goal of the research is to find cures to these sionate care left a strong impression.” going to stop cancer common cancers. “During the summer of 2017, while on a “The hope is that once we figure out what we have, family outing, my grandfather fell and ended from growing. we might redo the experiment in hopes to see if we up in the emergency room. Being alongside him can now find treatments for these tumors, and see if throughout his hospital stay and outpatient visits althey regress or can be eliminated using known treatlowed me to realize that medicine is the perfect fit for me.” ments.” Neumann Domer hopes to attend medical school, but Neumann Domer was interested in joining a research is also interested in continuing his research, whatever keeps project focused on BAP1. His sister, Erin ’07, also worked him in the field that he loves. in Testa’s lab with BAP1 mouse models. “Medicine provides the unique opportunity to learn about the “My sister has an understanding of BAP1, as well as the implicahistory of an individual while also continually making a lasting tions that come with it. I knew I wanted to work with the BAP1 gene difference in the lives of others. Understanding and treating diseases in general, which is why I went to Dr. Testa’s lab. Being able to jump is something I am interested in committing my life’s work to. I want on this project furthered my knowledge and pulled me into a deeper to be a physician who not only treats patients, but who also underunderstanding about what BAP1 does, what it can accomplish, and stands the importance of listening to a patient’s story and serving as what it can achieve.” a source of hope and support.”
20
SUMMER / 2019
Ryan Neumann Domer ’16, ’18 Scientific Technician
holyfamily.edu/magazine
11
Social Media’s Relationship with Mental Health
I
t’s estimated that in 2018 there were 244 million active social media profiles across various platforms in the United States. The number inflated to 2.77 billion people when looking worldwide. The constant stimulus has changed the way people interact, speak, feel, and engage in day-to-day situations. To understand the way that social media impacts our emotions, Drs. Jen DeCicco and Amanda McClain, from the School of Arts and Sciences, have teamed up to conduct a study that examines whether mental health outcomes are related to social media use. “Social media platforms are used by most people every day, many times multiple times per day,” said McClain. “We still don’t know a
22
Dr. Amanda McClain
Dr. Jen DeCicco
Associate Professor School of Arts and Sciences
Assistant Professor School of Arts and Sciences
lot about how social media use impacts our mood or how we express emotion. One consistent issue with social media is that it takes us away from interacting with one another in person. Though there are many positive attributes of social media, it still leaves many questions about how it influences mental health and day-to-day emotion.” McClain says that social media expresses addictive characteristics that entice users to return to the platform, as well as alters the way we think and feel based on the responses we get from others. “Social media is definitely about rewards: how many likes, comments, and shares you get,” she said. “Many people judge their self-worth on the amount of engagement they get on social media, for example, deleting a post that doesn’t receive many likes. Authenticity is necessary to truly become a popular brand, but social media is less about self-catharsis and more about interaction.” Generation Z, those born between the mid 1990s through the early millennium, and Generation Alpha, those who succeed Z, have grown up in this technology boom, with smartphones, iPads, and social media available 24/7. The resulting tech revolution may be a reason for increases in depression and anxiety. “We found many associations between depression and negative emotion while using social media,” DeCicco said about the survey results. “Specifically, we found that higher depression scores were associated with greater feelings of jealousy toward others, anxiousness, stress, and feeling fearful and sad while using social media. Many have proposed that social media has addictive qualities to it, so much so that we may become anxious or experience some type of withdrawal without it. The reward circuit within the brain may get reinforced and strengthened when we use social media that results in the desire to use it more.” Even though the team has found patterns linking stress, depression, and anxiety with social media, DeCicco still sees value in using social media, as long as you’re able to separate yourself and your emotions from your digital counterpart. “There is a lot that we don’t know about how social media makes us feel,” she said. “As we communicate more with each other digitally, we find that emotions and small nuances of how we interact are lost. We overinterpret an email, text message, or social media post because other important cues, such as facial expression and body language, are lost. It’s important to point out that there are many positive aspects about social media as well. Posts that are positive and uplifting can go viral, as well as different social movements. We share life events and milestones with family and friends we might not be connected to if we did not have these platforms. Though there are positive aspects of social media, the data so far suggest that when we use them it might not be for the benefit of our mental health.”
SUMMER / 2019
Think Like an Entrepreneur Dr. Marina Boykova Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions
Balancing Care Across Borders
F
or Dr. Marina Boykova, being a nurse in both the United States and Russia has opened her eyes to the different health care opportunities across the globe. As a board member for the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, Inc., she recently served as a statistical analysis consultant for a study that assessed the knowledge and skills of neonatal nurses in Rwanda. Rwanda has 47 neonatal intensive care units throughout the country, but according to Boykova, many nurses do not receive specialized neonatal education or possess the equipment necessary to provide adequate care. “We’re trying to create this global voice for neonatal nurses,” Boykova, an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, said. “Too many newborn infants die. Mortality rates in some countries are very high. We’re trying to share best practices from moredeveloped health care systems and nursing professionals to bring something to them.” Boykova, a neonatal nurse for years, knows about the boost in knowledge nurses receive when other countries provide different educational opportunities. “When I was 21, we had nurses from California come visit the hospital where I worked in Russia. The exchange changed the way we practiced in my unit. The mortality rate was 33 percent when I started as a neonatal nurse. It took almost 20 years to reduce the number of deaths, but before I left for my PhD in the US, the mortality rate was 3 percent.” Boykova was part of the Rwanda trip that took place in October 2018. The study results are awaiting publication. “The Rwandan nurses are very passionate about learning,” Boykova said. “When you can make things better, it’s very rewarding. Despite the difficulties, you’re changing the world."
holyfamily.edu/magazine
Y
ou look out the back door of your home and see a squirrel eating freely from a bird feeder that was labeled on the box as "squirrel proof." For an entrepreneur, the unfolding scene sparks an idea. Dr. Don Goeltz, an Associate Professor in the School of Business Administration, is trying to understand and conceptualize a model that depicts the way entrepreneurs conjure an idea, think, and behave. An entrepreneur himself for 15 years, Goeltz knows some of the lessons he’s trying to understand firsthand. “I’ve come to believe that entrepreneurial thinking can and should be applied in all walks of life,” Goeltz said. “In any business, in any position, you’ll see people that think of new things, use whatever resources they can put together, and then go make things happen.” For a theoretical base, Goeltz is using the Model of Intended Behavior, a psychology-based application that has been tested, modified, and validated in organizational and general psychology for more than 20 years. Goeltz’s research is theory development, with the objective of a better understanding of entrepreneurial thinking and behavior. “The psychological model starts with values, which then forms thinking, and those values affect intent, which results in behavior. For example, an entrepreneur values getting things done. They value success, but also understand that failure is perfectly OK. Those values drive thinking and sense making. The way you make sense of your environment, if you’re an entrepreneurial thinker, is that you Dr. Don Goeltz see opportunities all the time.” Associate Professor, According to Goeltz, entreSchool of Business preneurial individuals are vital Administration in any dynamic environment. “All organizations, in order to survive, need to deal with change on an ongoing basis. That is really the essence of entrepreneurial thinking, which at all levels, including senior management, just makes the organization more effective.”
23
Student Success Personified
E
ighteen students presented research projects during the 21st Annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) Honors Conference, held at Cabrini University, on March 23. Under the direction and guidance of Holy Family University’s Honor Council and nominated by their mentoring professors, students presented a variety of academic and artistic presentations. The next SEPCHE Honors Conference will be hosted by Holy Family University on March 28, 2020.
The Reality of Police Suicide
Kenny Brightcliffe
Christina Erwin ’19
Dr. Mary Carroll Johansen (Faculty Mentor) Philadelphians, perhaps more so than people from any other major city in America, have pride in their section of the city. This research explored the relationship surrounding Mayfair, a neighborhood in the Northeast section of the city.
Dr. David Whelan (Faculty Mentor) Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and almost 45,000 Americans die by suicide each year. While suicide can affect people of all age, race, and gender, police officers have seen a disturbing rise in suicide rates. In recent years, there have been more police officer suicides than lineof-duty deaths.
Genetic Engineering of Influenza Virus A Antigenic Sites David Butkiewicz ’19
Suicide Awareness
Dr. Jaclyn Myers (Faculty Mentor) The influenza virus is continually changing because of its high mutation rate. High variability in antigenic sites prove difficult for vaccine production. In this study, the researcher systematically introduced point mutations into hemagglutinin antigenic regions to observe how single-point mutations influence viral characteristics.
Christopher Ewing ’19
Sabermetrics Applied to Faculty Evaluations Melissa Cahill Sr. Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN, PhD (Faculty Mentor)
This research is a continuation of the researchers project that involved sabermetrics, statistics used to evaluate baseball players, that are applied to university faculty to quantify faculty research, scholarship, and service.
Oil Painting: 3,2,1 Rachel D’Angelo ’19 Pamela Flynn (Faculty Mentor) This piece expressed a futile struggle, specifically through the female perspective, which suggested that although people may face hardship, they do not have to accept this as part of their identity. Who people are is made up of their memories, but the past does not exist.
24
Pamela Flynn (Faculty Mentor) This video presentation aimed to raise awareness for suicide and to try and prevent anyone else from completing this act.
Chick-fil-A Whitman Square Community Relations Case Analysis Rachel Fox Dr. Janice Xu (Faculty Mentor) Chick-fil-A is a family-oriented restaurant with locations across the United States that serves millions of guests daily. This research focused on the community relations activities of Chick-fil-A of Whitman Square, a fast food chain located in Northeast Philadelphia. The community relations case analysis was based on the results of surveys and focus groups conducted in 2018 among customers and staff at this location.
Understanding the Relationship between Organized Crime and the States: A Complex Nexus Amanda Gurecki ’19 Dr. Jonathan Rosen (Faculty Mentor) This presentation was drawn from a chapter of an edited volume, which strived to understand the different ways that organized crime penetrated the state apparatus in Latin America.
PDX, Furin, and Ovarian Cancer Nicholas Ihnatenko ’19 Dr. Daniel Bassi (Faculty Mentor) Ovarian cancer remains a difficult cancer type to treat because of its late-stage detection and diagnosis. Furin, a proprotein convertase, has been shown to be involved with tumor growth and progression through the activation of growth factors, their receptors, and matrix metalloproteinases. To counteract this development, the gene PDX is utilized to silence the furin gene and stop subsequent tumor growth. PDX acts as an inhibitor of furin in ovarian cancer cells to successfully transfer the gene for PDX to these cell lines. The transfer and activation of PDX results in a decrease of cell proliferation or possible decreased tumor growth.
The Crime Scene: A Simulation Activity Nicholas Ihnatenko ’19 Dr. Daniel Bassi (Faculty Mentor) The analysis of a mock crime scene is amenable to include simulation techniques that involve the collection of samples, sketching, note taking, and photographing techniques. Simulation techniques stimulate observation and knowledge in a criminal investigation. This group activity represented a combined effort between the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
SUMMER / 2019
Photo: Ricky Haldis / Wise Owl Multimedia
Mayfair
Nicholas Ihnatenko (opposite page), Kabir Kolawole (top left), Anna Muller (top) and Grace Van Thuyne (right) are some of the students who shared their research projects at the SEPCHE Honors Conference.
Left Handedness
Chernobyl
Kabir Kolawole
Anna Muller
Dr. Dan Mankowski (Faculty Mentor) Multiple factors, such as culture, influence the way left handedness is perceived around the world. Fortunately, a vast majority of those who are left handed have managed to paint a good picture of it. The main cause of left handedness has not been found yet, though it has been associated with intelligence and excellence.
Dr. Dan Mankowski (Faculty Mentor) On April 25, 1986, Chernobyl, Ukraine faced an explosion from its nuclear reactor. A violation of safety policy and a design flaw led to the catastrophic event. Several researchers studied the event and its long-lasting effects on the environment and people. The radioactivity levels have led to abnormalities in animals and diseases within humans.
Alzheimer’s Disease
The Border: Finding a Balance Between Security and Cooperation
Vanessa Lakatosh Dr. Dan Mankowski (Faculty Mentor) Alzheimer’s is a disease that damages the brain through the buildup of tiny proteins that block messages, preventing people from performing normal tasks. It is thought to be developed as age increases. No one knows why it occurs and there is no cure, yet it continues to deteriorate the brains of many people.
Painting: The Heart of the Matter
Patrick Murray ’19 Dr. Mary Carroll Johansen (Faculty Mentor) Drugs, violence, and extortion are leaving Mexican individuals with no choice but to flee their homes. The United States should continue to adopt policies that work toward assisting Mexico and Central America with financial aid and ensuring that corruption and cartel violence are not necessarily eradicated, but minimized to lessen the necessity of illegal immigration.
Photos: Ricky Haldis / Wise Owl Multimedia
Erica Longobardi ’19 Pamela Flynn (Faculty Mentor) Pain and hardship are a reality that people experience in their lives. These experiences shape their perspectives of the world. This piece aimed to affirm the various emotional hardships people endure by exploring vulnerability, violence, sadness, and pain.
holyfamily.edu/magazine
Safe Injection Sites Jillian Nugent Dr. Dan Mankowski (Faculty Mentor) On paper, safe injection sites seem like a good idea, but in reality, they are doing more harm than good. This research explained why this practice is harming children and included interviews with a Philadelphia Police Officer and a recovering heroin addict.
Everyday Mindfulness for the Everyday Classroom Meghan Rakus ’19 Dr. Kimberly Heuschkel (Faculty Mentor) With intellectual curriculum being in the forefront of the United States’ education system, teachers and families often overlook emotional intelligence. Everyday Mindfulness for the Everyday Classroom displayed lessons and classroom techniques that align with Pennsylvania State Standards while simultaneously helping students become more mindful students and citizens.
Video Games and Gun Attitudes: Are College Students’ Views on Gun Control Influenced by the Video Games They Play? Grace Van Thuyne ’19 Dr. Stacy McDonald (Faculty Mentor) In the United States, 24 percent of “E” rated video games and 57 percent of “T” games involve guns. With such easy access, adolescents may view gun violence quite often. To examine if exposure to violent video games influences gun attitudes, the researcher conducted an online survey and then examined the variables and implications of the results.
Plaster: Two Foxes Donald Wallace Pamela Flynn (Faculty Mentor) The artist started with a thought that he transferred to paper as a sketch and then to a small clay model. With a chisel and mallet, he created his piece, Two Foxes.
25
Athletics
Wassel, Robinson Named Athletes of the Year from both organizations. She went on to be named to the All-America first team by the D2CCA and All-America third team by the AVCA, becoming the first All-American in program history. In addition, Wassel was named the CACC Tournament Most Valuable Player and later selected to the East Region All-Tournament team. Wassel finished her career at Holy Family as the program’s all-time leader in kills (1,992) and is fifth all time in digs (1,501). She is only one of three players in program history to record 1,000 kills and digs in a career. Wassel also totaled 202 career aces, third most in the program’s record book. Robinson had a stellar freshman season with Holy Family, as he was named the CACC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-CACC second team. Robinson is the second player in program history to earn Rookie of the Year accolades from the CACC and the first to do so since Justin Swidowski earned the honor in 2008-09. Robinson, who was named the CACC Rookie of the Week seven times during the course of the regular season, averaged 18.7 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He shot an impressive 54.8 percent from the field, fifth-best in the CACC. The Chesterfield, NJ native closed out the regular season with four double-doubles in the final six games and averaged 21.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during that stretch. Robinson’s clutch performance helped lead the Tigers back to the CACC Tournament for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Holy Family finished 14-13 overall and 10-9 in the CACC to earn the third seed out of the South Division. Compiled by Greg Pellegrino, Sports Information Director; Photos: Stephen Pellegrino Photography
Holy Family University’s Chase Wassel ’19 and freshman Patrick Robinson III were named the Holy Family University Athletes of the Year, chosen by the Northeast Times sports department. Both student-athletes were recognized at the 35th annual Northeast Sports Awards Banquet on May 16. The event recognized some of Northeast Philadelphia’s top competitors from high school to the collegiate ranks. It was a season to remember for Wassel as she helped lead the Holy Family University women’s volleyball team to a historic 2018 campaign. The Tigers captured their first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship and received the program’s first bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament. Holy Family advanced to the East Region Final, the first CACC team to do so in women’s volleyball. The Tigers also won a program record 31 matches (31-6, 18-1 CACC) and had a program record 23-match winning streak entering the East Region Final. Wassel capped her senior season with a career-high 644 kills, setting a new single-season program record. Her 4.92 kills per set, along with her 644 total kills, were second most in NCAA Division II. Wassel also led the nation with 74 service aces, a career high. She finished the year tying her career high with 391 digs and set a new career high with 57 blocks. During the course of the season she was named the CACC Player of the Week six times. At the season’s end, Wassel was named the CACC Player of the Year as well as the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) East Region Player of the Year. She earned All-Region first team honors
26
SUMMER / 2019
SOFTBALL AND LACROSSE
Seniors End Final Seasons with Records Five Tigers finished their athletic careers in style. Sam Klem ’19 and Olivia Nolan ’19 of the softball team both reached the 100-career hits milestone, becoming the 19th and 20th players to do so in the program’s Division II era. Klem racked up 135 hits in her four-year career, including a career-high 46 this season. Her 135 career hits are 10th most in the program’s D-II era. Nolan finished her fouryear career with a 126 hits, tying for 13th most in the program’s D-II hit list.
Devon Felix ’19, Vanessa Pagliei ’19, and Dana Trevito ’19 of the women’s lacrosse team also finished their respective careers by reaching the 100-point milestone. The trio combined for 258 goals, 125 assists, and 383 points in their four years together. Felix finished her career with 138 points, eighth most in program history. She also totaled 108 goals, becoming the ninth player in the program’s record book to reach the 100-career goal milestone.
with 74 goals and 51 assists. Her career assists places her third in the program’s all-time list.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TRACK AND FIELD
Holy Family University named Bernadette Laukaitis ’00 its new Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Ryan Haigh ’06 its new Head Men’s Basketball Coach on May 15. Laukaitis comes to Holy Family after spending the past 10 years at Division I University of Pennsylvania as an assistant coach. “I am very honored to be named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Holy Family University,” Laukaitis said. “It truly is my dream job as it is a place that I have an enormous amount of pride and passion for both as a player, assistant coach, and now as a head coach.” Her coaching career began as an assistant with the Tigers where she spent eight seasons on the Campus Center sidelines, helping the Tigers to a 234-27 record, including a 32-1 mark in 2007-08, when the team finished ranked in the top four nationally. She went on to win five Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) titles and appeared in the program’s first five NCAA Tournaments. Haigh has spent the past eight seasons as Holy Family’s top assistant. His specialties include working with perimeter players advanced scouting, and recruiting. “From my playing days, to working as an assistant coach, to now being named head coach, this opportunity is a surreal moment and a dream come true. I am excited to be able to continue working with our student athletes to build a men’s basketball program that will bring pride to the entire Holy Family campus community.” During his tenure as an assistant with the Tigers the team advanced to the CACC Tournament six times, including the program’s first conference title in 2015-16. That year, the Tigers won 26 games, the most in the program’s Division II era. Holy Family went on to earn its second NCAA Tournament berth as the number one seed, becoming the first men’s basketball team to host a regional in the CACC.
Holy Family University freshman Nyoki Jones was named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women’s Outdoor Track Rookie of the Year, as announced by the conference office on May 21. Jones enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign as she capped the season earning All-CACC first team honors in both the 400-meter dash and the 400-meter hurdles in this year’s conference championship. During the course of the outdoor season, Jones finished first overall in the 400-meter hurdles in four of five meets. Jones currently holds the school record in the event after finishing in a time of 1:05.17 at the Delaware Classic. Jones was named the CACC Track Rookie of the Week three times during the course of the outdoor season. During the indoor season, she earned All-East Coast Conference (ECC) second team honors in the 400-meter dash.
Laukaitis and Haigh Take Over Coaching Roles
Photos: Stephen Pellegrino Photography
Pagliei notched 120 points to rank 11th in the program’s record book. She finished with 76 goals and 44 assists, ranking fourth all time in assists. Trevito completed her time as a Tiger with 125 points, ranking 10th all time to go along
holyfamily.edu/magazine
Jones Named Rookie of the Year
27
Vision & Values
Great Day to be a Tiger February 11 was truly a Great Day to be a Tiger. Holy Family University celebrated its 65th birthday with a new, all-day celebration, featuring a Taste of Philadelphia lunch, Tiger Talks that were modeled after popular Ted Talks, an anniversary mass, and a “Sto-Lat” birthday party, honoring the University’s Polish origins. 1 / T he night’s emcee, FOX 29’s Bob Kelly, and President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN gathered the crowd to say “Happy Birthday!” 2 / D aniel Bramer, PhD, gave a riveting Tiger Talk entitled “The Problem with the Problem of Immigration.” 3 / D onna (Lasota) Makowiecki ’75 from the School of Arts and Sciences couldn’t resist the chance to dance with the Tiger.
1 2
4 / S tudents from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions hung out with the Tiger during the Taste of Philadelphia lunch. 5 / A special Holy Family choir was assembled for the anniversary mass. 6 / M embers of the Quaker City String Band kicked off the night’s festivities.
3
Photos: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
6
4
5
28
SUMMER / 2019
Tigers on the Loose Nearly 200 alumni and friends gathered at the inaugural Tigers on the Loose scholarship celebration on April 10. Held at the Museum of the American Revolution, the night raised critical funds for student financial aid. 1 / B ob Fiorentino and Ben Franklin wanted to hear your best “Huzzah!” 2 / S ean O’Hara M’07, Amy Strecker, Ben Franklin, Bill Strecker, and Mike Brawley said “cheese” for the camera.
1 3
3 / M egan Rakus ’19 highlighted the importance of student financial aid during her time at Holy Family University. 4 / I t was a family night out for Michael Brown, Chelsea (Brown) Sharkus ’14, and Shannon Brown ’99.
2
4
5 / A ngelo Petro, Evie Petro, Ben Franklin, Dan Kilcoyne ’04, Michele Kilcoyne, Tierney Decree, and Lou Decree enjoyed the view from the outdoor terrace.
Photos: Candice diCarlo
6 / President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, spent time with current and former students, including Amber Welsh-Miller, Ronita Chambers ’19, Riley Turner, Taurai Augustin ’18, Amanda Gurecki ’19, and Emily Griffis.
5
6
holyfamily.edu/magazine
29
Vision & Values
Alumni Reunion 2019 Holy Family University’s Alumni Office hosted Reunion 2019 on April 27 at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale. The night included dancing and reminiscing and concluded with the presentation of the Alumni Achievement Awards.
1
1 / The Class of 1969 got together to celebrate their 50th anniversary. 2 / K elly (Shepperd) Keenan ’15, M’18 and Tina (Scipione) Moore ’09 wore various shades of blue to support the event. 3 / J ayda Pugliese ’09 M’14 and Frank Gentile took a few minutes to enjoy a slow dance. 4 / M ike McNulty-Bobholz M’12 Associate Vice President for Student Life shared a smile and a laugh with Sara Szymendera ’13 and Jenna Spadaccino ’13.
2
3
5 / A nne Bradley Leopold ’11, Linda Raichle ’70, Melissa Costello ’01, M’03, and Matt Topley ’94, posed with Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN (left), Anthony Szuszczewicz (center), and Ryan O’Driscoll ’13 (right) after being presented the Alumni Achievement Award. 5
Photos: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
4
30
SUMMER / 2019
Commencement 2019 Holy Family University conferred 919 total degrees during its 62nd Commencement Ceremony on May 14 at the Kimmel Center. Congratulations to our newest alumni and best wishes for all your accomplishments in the future. 1 / T he graduates and their families took in the sights and sounds during Commencement in Verizon Hall, which offered stunning architecture and views from any angle.
1 2
3
2 / T he Doctor of Nursing Practice program had its first set of graduates this year. 3 / A shley Beam ’19 was named the Mother M. Neomisia Award winner, which was established by the Board of Trustees to honor the foundress and first President of the University. This distinction is given annually to the senior whose qualities of service and loyalty to the University merit particular distinction. 4 / R eceiving your degree takes a strong support system. Congratulations to all of our graduates and their loved ones for this tremendous achievement.
4
Photos: Julia Lehman-McTigue/Susan Beard Design
5 / S ometimes your accomplishments just make you want to pick up your partner and tell them you love them.
6 5
holyfamily.edu/magazine
6 / J oAnne Mamie ’19 was presented the Alumni Senior Award, which honors a graduating student who best represents the student body through his/her campus involvement, community service on behalf of the University, life experience, and academic achievements.
31
Vision & Values
30th Annual Golf Classic Sponsors and participants of Holy Family University’s 30th Annual Golf Classic enjoyed a wonderful day on the links at The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale on June 5. We’d like to extend a special “thank you” to PepsiCo, our Grand Sponsor, for its leadership support. Make sure to join us on September 16, 2020 for next year’s Golf Classic event. 1 / C ongratulations to Tim Wallace, Ryan Visnesky, Ken Resh, and Kyle Turns, who were presented the President’s Cup by Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, for their first-place finish.
1
2 / T im Hamill ’04, M’08, Director of Athletics, John Stevens, and Ryan Haigh ’06, Men’s Basketball Head Coach, stopped for a photo before teeing off. 3 / N athan Miller, Bruce Miller, Katie Dunphy, and Brendan Miller enjoyed a beautiful day on the links. 4 / S ean McGinley, Kyle Kenny, Seth Ehlo, and Kenny Olowolafe represented our Grand Sponsor, PepsiCo.
2
3
5 / I t helps to have long arms when purchasing 50/50 tickets. Christina Bender, Director of Annual Giving, made sure everyone got the best bang for their buck.
5
Photos: Candice diCarlo
4
32
SUMMER / 2019
Class Notes
“What have you been up to? New job, promotion, or retirement news to share? Have you gotten engaged, married, or welcomed a new addition to the family? Do you have a new address and/or updated contact information? We want to know! Please contact the Alumni Office by email (alumni@holyfamily.edu), by phone (267-341-5017), or through the Alumni Update Form at holyfamily.edu/alumni to share your news so we can feature it in a future issue of the Holy Family University Magazine.
50s
90s
Rosesylvia Homes-McDonald ’59 is celebrating 20 years as a Secular Carmelite. She is enjoying her 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and traveling all around the world, including recent trips to Ireland, Portugal, Fatima, Rome, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Mike McLaughlin ’91, Head Coach of Penn’s women’s basketball program, was named 2019 Ivy League Coach of the Year. McLaughlin lives with his wife Ginny (Burger) McLaughlin ’91 and their three children in Delran, NJ.
70s Jean (Powell) Held ’78 APN, APRN, is a Nurse Practitioner specialist in Reno, NV, where she lives with Charles, her husband of 30 years.
80s Felicia Watson ’82 recently published a sci-fi novel, We Have Met the Enemy. Watson’s previous book, Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela was published in 2011. She works full time as Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs for Bristol Meyers-Squibb.
Donna (Campbell) Carlson ’92 is the Owner and Integrative Health & Wellness Coach of 4 Healing Horses, LLC in Gilbertsville, PA. Carlson, a fully certified Equine Gestalt and Integrative Nutrition Coach, helps patients nurture and embrace their best health and inner peace by partnering with her horses to make positive changes to their lives.
Anne Marie (Weyand) Westervelt ’92 is finishing her 26th year of teaching elementary school. She currently teaches at Tacony Academy Charter School. Valerie (Angjelo) Delman ’94 is the President of Ashton Business Services in Warminster, PA. Matt Topley ’94 was recognized with an Influencer of Finance award in the Wealth Manager Category in April 2018 by Philadelphia Media Network, publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com. Shawna (Kennedy) Haubrick ’96 announced that her daughter, Kierston, will be attending Holy Family in Fall 2019. Sandra Young ‘99 was named the first female President of Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, KY. Previously, she served as Head of School of Valley Forge Military Academy and President of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School.
00s Karen McKenna ’00 works as an Assessment Counselor for Pyramid Healthcare in Bristol, PA. Sandy (Vetter) Mosley ’03 was named the 2019 Teacher of the Year by Forest Ridge Elementary in Hernando, FL. She teaches Music Education to Grades 1-5. Brett Charleston ’04 was named Superintendent of Glen Rock Public Schools. He will assume leadership on July 1.
holyfamily.edu/magazine
33
Class Notes
adjunct professor at Holy Family in the School of Education.
Amanda (Jenigen) Snyder ’12 married Jason Snyder in April 2017 at the Nazareth Academy High School Chapel. She is currently in the Lending and Services department at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America. The couple resides in Bensalem, PA with their Siberian Husky, Winston.
Rachel (McClain) Riley ’04 received an Honorable Mention in the Media Relations Professional of the Year category for the 2019 PR News’ PR People Awards. Rachel is the Director of Communications at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board in King of Prussia, PA. Christina Rybicki ’07 took on a new position in January as Vice President of Vertical Commerce for Fanatics, Inc. Jesse Chrzanowski ’08 is a Construction Project Manager for
John Hearn ’15, a retired Philadelphia Police Captain with 30 years experience, was appointed as the Newtown Township Police Chief in January. Hearn’s career highlights include serving as a Lieutenant for 12 years with the Highway Patrol and for developing escort protocol for visiting dignitaries, including Pope Francis’ visit in 2015.
Kasco Construction. He lives in Chalfont with his wife, Stephanie, and their two-year-old son and three-year-old daughter.
10s Christine McCollum ’10 works as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Penn women’s basketball program under Head Coach Mike McLaughlin ‘91. Justin Rementer ’11 is the Owner and Head Coach at Crossfit Raid, a business he started in 2014. In March, Crossfit Raid was featured in CrossFit Games’ Friday Night Lights series for the CrossFit Games Open. Derrick Sawyer ’12 was chosen by the Mayor of Trenton, NJ to serve as the Director of the Trenton Fire Department. Robert Odri ’13 has been named the 2019 Educator of the Year by Ewing Public Schools. He teaches Special Education at Parkway Elementary. Kate Sullivan ’13 was recognized as the Educator of the Year by the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped, a non-profit advocacy group for New Jersey’s private special needs schools. In addition to her teaching job, Kate works as an
34
Katie Matarazzo ’14 works at United Way of Bucks County as a Resource Development Associate. She started working with United Way during her internship as a student and has now been employed full time for more than six years.
Jacqueline Algarra ’18 is competing as Miss Atlantic County for the title of Miss New Jersey 2019. Her platform is the National Eating Disorder Association & Body Positivity. The winner will be crowned on June 15 and will move on to compete in the national Miss America competition.
Patricia Marrero ’16 is a Property and Evidence Tech for the City of Chesapeake Police in Chesapeake, VA. She is married to Jesus Marrero ‘82. Kelly Norton ’16 married Brandon Beaumont on January 5, 2019. Mary Hoffman ’17, Chief People Officer at Ardent Credit Union, has been named to the Delaware
SUMMER / 2019
Rose Bachmayer ’18 graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy in March. She proudly wears the same badge number as her grandfather, Officer Thomas Trench, who was killed in the line of duty in 1985.
In Memoriam Ryan O’Driscoll ’13 married Samantha (Kiger) O’Driscoll ’14 on March 23, 2019. Their wedding was attended by many Holy Family alumni and friends, including multiple members of the Board of Directors, on which both Ryan and Sam serve. Valley Chapter of the Philadelphia Credit Union Association’s (PCUA) Board of Directors.
Joseph Manhede ’17 works for Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. as the Controller, Life Sciences.
Acknowledging alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Holy Family University
Bernice (Dove) Restivo ’58 5/7/18 Marie (Donnelly) Aly ’69 9/15/18 Father Al Smith, OSFS 12/27/18 Alberta Snyder 1/5/19 James Gallagher 3/9/19 Marlene Ermler ’64 4/29/19
Holy Family University Alumni Insurance Program Did you know that the Holy Family University Alumni Association sponsors an Alumni Insurance Program as a service to our alumni? The program offers a variety of attractively-priced insurance products, most of which are available to alumni, students, faculty and staff, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, and siblings.
auto home & renters insurance
Special rates are available to alumni and family members living in the same household.
life insurance
Long-term protection with great rates and fantastic features. Coverage is available from $10,000 to $50 million.
travel insurance
Travel Medical and Trip Protection coverage is available for individuals or groups, for personal or business travel.
pet insurance
Simple, customizable dog and cat insurance plans are available.
small business insurance
We offer an all-in-one simple solution that includes a selection of plans, employee enrollment, and ongoing administration.
identity protection
long term care insurance
Protect your assets from serious erosion while allowing access to quality care in the most appropriate and desirable setting.
advisory services
A licensed insurance professional is available, at no charge, to answer questions and provide customized guidance.
Protect yourself and your family against identity theft with a comprehensive solution you can count on.
For more information visit hfu.meyerandassoc.com or contact our program administrator (Meyer and Associates) at 800-635-7801
Pen to Paper
Whisper Down the Lane By Bernice Purcell '85, DBA Associate Dean and Professor, School of Business Administration
H
36
Photo: David Pavlak
ave you ever played whisper down the lane? That’s the children’s game where someone whispers a sentence to a second person, who whispers it to a third, and so on, until the last person hears it. When the last person says the sentence out loud, it is typically not the same thing that the first person said. It’s no secret that everyone has a lot of data out there, and it is being used to make decisions about us. Hiring decisions, credit decisions, and health care decisions are all made based upon the data that the decision maker has access to. However, a Harvard Business Review survey a few years ago indicated that only 16 percent of the managers surveyed were strongly confident of the data they were using to make their decisions. A recent global trends report indicates that poor data quality is one of the three top data concerns of the companies surveyed. Of these companies, 98 percent used data to improve customer experience. Currently there is an international trend in legislation that will combat poor data quality and other data concerns. One of the common provisions in these laws or regulations deals with data quality. Even without mandated regulation, companies strive to improve data quality to improve decision making. The increasing importance of corporate data governance is a response to data quality concerns. There are some steps that individuals can take to improve data quality. If you want companies to make accurate financial decisions about you, particularly financially, check your credit report. Common data errors in credit reports include incorrect personal data, accounts not belonging to you, closed accounts reported as open, and duplicate accounts; the latter two directly have an adverse effect on your credit score. Similarly, doctors’ offices are now required to keep health record data electronically, and many allow patients access to their personal health records through a secure, online portal. If you have such access, check to make sure your data is accurate so your doctor can make the best possible health care recommendations. Working together, we can all do our part to make sure that Whisper Down the Lane remains a pleasant little child’s game. We don’t want to be playing whisper down the lane with our data.
SUMMER / 2019
Then & Now
Photos: HFU Archives (top); Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia (bottom)
Did somebody say cake? Holy Family University's Charter Day has always been celebrated with a slice of cake, and just like in the 1960s, 2019 was no different. Bob Kelly from FOX 29 and President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN sliced the ceremonial first piece during the Great Day to be a Tiger celebration, the University's newest charter day tradition.
holyfamily.edu/magazine
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PHILA, PA Permit No. 902
9801 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19114-2009
Mark Your
CALENDAR September 2019
12 Night at the Phillies
October 2019
6 Undergraduate Open House 27 Family and Friends Bingo
January 2020
9 Alumni Board Open Meeting
February 2020
11 Great Day to be a Tiger
April 2020
November 2019
25 Alumni Reunion Gala
1 Alumni Quizzo Night
27 Family and Friends Annual Bingo
3 Undergraduate Open House
December 2019
4 President's Club Holiday Party
6 Christmas Rose 13-19 Trip to London and Paris
May 2020 18 Commencement 18-28 Trip to Peru
September 2020
16 Golf Classic * Dates subject to change.
