UNIVERSIT Y M AGAZINE
W i n t e r 2019
Raising the Bar for Student
Success
Table of Contents
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President’s Message
6 News The latest about people and happenings connected to our community
11 Spotlight: Alumnus Carl Randolph Born to Serve
12 Raising the Bar for Student Success A $2 million grant will help us invest and excel in what we do best
19 Spotlight: Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate Raquel Salas Rivera 20 The Measure of Justice Evaluating the success of the Bucks County Drug Court
26 Athletics Student athletes making their mark on and off the court
28 Vision and Values The meaningful moments that bring us together
32 Class Notes Alumni updates
36 Pen to Paper Cardiovascular diseases: prevention and control is possible
37 Then and Now What’s new on campus?
Photo: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
WINTER / 2019
Homecoming Hit Everybody gets excited by the sight and sound of a t-shirt cannon, and Homecoming 2019 participants were treated to t-shirt shots fired directly by University President Sister Maureen McGarrity CSFN, ’70, PhD, with Director of Athletics Tim Hamill ’04, M’08 looking on. More than 1,000 members of the Holy Family University family enjoyed this year’s event, featuring heart-pounding athletics, food trucks, carnival activities, and great camaraderie in the Alumni Beer Garden and all around campus.
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The Value of Family
12/16/19 1:32 PM
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.
WINTER / 2019
President's Message
Dear Holy Family University Community:
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his past July, I was fortunate to be one of 42 delegates from around the world to convene in Rome for the 25th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. While there, one of my responsibilities was to participate in the election of the new Superior General and General Administration, which will serve for the next nine years, overseeing the temporal and spiritual well-being and ministries of the Congregation. For more than three weeks, I had the opportunity to meet and work with inspiring representatives from CSFN provinces and regions throughout the world, and experience a beautiful and inspiring mix of cultures, backgrounds, language abilities and international views. Returning from this trip and thinking about the work that was accomplished, I couldn’t help but also reflect on the past decade at Holy Family—what has changed, what we’ve achieved, what remains to be done. As it’s said, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Great accomplishments take time and remaining steadfast to your commitment is imperative. That’s certainly true at Holy Family. As the new year begins, our current strategic plan will conclude, and I’m proud to look back on all that we’ve achieved. Now, in 2020, we begin the work of developing our next plan, having identified the team who will serve on our strategic planning steering committee, articulating their charge and defining the timeline to be followed in finalizing the plan. We will look closely at who we are, what we would like to become, and what initiatives it will take to get us there. We will do so only with an eye on how to sustain our mission of serving families in the best way possible, so they can and will make a positive impact in our world.
Photo: Bob Scott
Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD President
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Letters
Tribute to Father Al Smith, OSFS (July 15, 1936 – December 27, 2018) By Jim Grugan ‘97 Before there were dorms, the Campus Center was the center of Holy Family. The Commons was the place where we would hang out between classes, crowd around the tv to watch Monday Night Football and historical events, and attend Mass. When you spent as much time there as some of us did, the staff felt like family. Fr. Al was someone who wore many hats in our Campus Center family. He was like an older brother, sometimes a father, and occasionally a grandfather. We all lost a great man when Fr. Al passed away December 27, 2018, after a brief battle with cancer. As Campus Minister, he dedicated his life to his fellow Tigers, and I was lucky enough to be his work-study student for four years. From the very first day, Fr. Al encouraged me to be a good student, enjoy college life, get involved in student government, and never miss an hour of work-study. (Threats of work-
Going to a smaller university may often be out of favor, as many say it will lack giving the full “college experience.” However, at Holy Family University, the students have a voice that resonates, offering the student body the ability to shape their own college experience. Change and advocacy for the students are amplified by Holy Family University’s Student Government Association (SGA), who serve to represent the various areas that make up the entire student body. Already, in the 2019-20 academic year, these representatives have initiated efforts to make the community better in a number of ways. After talks about the school’s lack of togetherness, the SGA’s Athletic Representative, Nyoki Jones, helped launch the November 5 “Tiger Madness” event which successfully brought the University community together. Student athletes, resident students, and a handful of commuter students were all in attendance at this memorable event, creating unison requested by the student body. Another notable effort includes the push to improve food service variety by SGA’s Student Experience Representative, Thomas Weightman. Additionally, in my role as Diversity and Inclusion Representative for the SGA, I initiated the blueprint for a new club, VIBE (Voices Involved in promoting Black Excellence), to help unify the growing population of Black students. Maxwell J. Ball ’22
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ing in the library during spring break would do that to someone.) Fr. Al could be that uncle that never took himself too seriously. He enjoyed joking around, and he would even dress up like a clown and collect coins in a Campbell Soup can to raise money for St. Malachy’s parish. Fr. Al was the father figure who people would turn to for guidance. “Jimmy, you spend too much money on Valentine’s Day,” he’d say. “A card, a box of chocolates, and one rose is all you need.” My response was, “Fr. Al, I am not sure an Oblate is the best person to give dating advice.” He reminded me that he was a Northeast Catholic High School grad and he had plenty of girlfriends in high school. Even after graduation, you were still part of his family. Father Al traveled to hundreds of churches to marry couples who met at Frankford and Grant. He baptized future Tigers, and he presided over funerals. When Fr. Norman OSFS gave Fr. Al’s funeral homily, he said that no one ever said a bad word about Fr. Al. That’s true! One doesn’t speak ill of family, and he was family to so many. Good job, good and faithful servant, and God’s speed in the years to come, my friend.
I can’t put into words how grateful I am to serve Holy Family University as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors. Being able to still closely serve as a part of the University’s mission is important to me. I will forever be indebted to the University for all of the memories, friendships, and education I was given during my time there. I’m always happy to run into students and graduates and be able to hear about their memories of Holy Family. I even have family members who are now considering attending the University, and sharing my experiences about the University has really helped to strengthen their decision. Helping to run alumni events like our annual Quizzo Night really brings back memories of my time as a student running events while serving on the Student Government Association. I’m so happy that the University continues to be provided with grants and funding to only strengthen the academic offerings and enrich the development and success of students onward after graduating. Jenna Spadaccino ’13
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Tigers on the Loose
The Mßtter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia May 7, 2020 Join us at Philadelphia’s finest museum of medical history for a scholarship celebration to raise critical funds for student financial aid! To purchase your tickets or for more information, please visit holyfamily.edu/tigersloose. Special discount available for recent Holy Family graduates. holyfamily.edu/tigersloose Consider being a sponsor! Your sponsorship includes tickets and other benefits. For more information, please contact Joshua Liss at 267-341-3100 or jliss@holyfamily.edu
News
HFU Receives $866K State Grant to Improve Northeast Campus Avenue Safety Holy Family University received a state grant of $866,000 for improvements on the streets surrounding the University. The grant, funded by the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, will be used to improve safety and circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and vehicles along Frankford Avenue, Grant Avenue, and Stevenson Street. “We are grateful to both State Representa-
tive Michael Driscoll and State Senator John Sabatina for their ongoing support. They both understand what this grant means to our entire community,” said University President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD. “The funds allow for improvements along the very busy avenues that border our campus, making them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and possibly even easing the traffic. Not only is
this important to the University, but we feel blessed that it will also benefit our neighbors.” The improvements include replacing and upgrading approximately 1,700 feet of sidewalk and ADA ramps, conversion of 650 feet of sidewalk to an eight-foot wide multi-use side path, pedestrian bump-outs at Grant and Frankford Avenues, upgrades to bus shelters and the construction of a drop-off and pick-up zone. “Student safety is a top priority, so it’s important to fund measures to improve accessibility around campus,” said Driscoll. “Congratulations to Holy Family University for receiving a grant that will make the necessary improvements to the thoroughfare around campus to ensure students can safely get around.” The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth. The project is anticipated to take two full years, including design, construction, and permitting. Construction is expected to begin next fall, with the project completed by the summer of 2021.
Sean T. O’Hara Named to Board of Trustees
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Photo: Debbie Lewis (street)
The Holy Family University Board of Trustees named Sean T. O’Hara to its roster, beginning with the Board meeting on October 29. A resident of Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania, O’Hara currently serves as the CFO for Kingsbury, Inc, a Philadelphia-based manufacturer, and also serves as an officer of the company, a member of the President’s Council, the Finance and Audit Committee, and the Retirement Benefits Committee. “With an MBA from Holy Family, and decades of experience in finance, HR, and IT, it’s a pleasure to welcome Sean to our Board of Trustees,” said Anthony J. Szuszczewicz, Chair of the Holy Family Board. “The world of higher education challenges us every day in so many ways, and adding an alum with the depth of experience Sean brings will surely add great value to our Board and the University community.”
WINTER / 2019
Rosen Explores the Criminalization of States in New Book Dr. Jonathan Rosen, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Arts and Sciences, celebrated the release of his latest book, The Criminalization of States: The Relationship between States and Organized Crime. The piece was edited by Rosen, Bruce Bagley, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles, and Jorge Chabat, a professor in the Department of Pacific Studies at the University of Guadalajara. “While there are many books on organized crime, there has been a need for a comprehensive book that examines the relationship between the state and organized crime,” Rosen said. “We argue that the state determines the type of organized crime. For example, in 2006, the President of Mexico launched a war on drugs that changed the relationship between the state and organized crime and resulted in high levels of drug-related violence. Today, there are states within Mexico where there is
a very blurry line between organized crime and the state.” Rosen and his team also worked with Amanda Gurecki ’19, a Criminal Justice and Psychology major, who served as a co-author for the introduction and conclusion.
Photo: Jay Soda (book)
Eiler ’92, Lynch M’12, and Weightman ’91 Win Lindback Award Denise (Piotrowski) Eiler ’92, Lisa Lynch M’12, and Gina (Domanico) Weightman ‘91, were recipients of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers, recognizing outstanding educators in the Greater Philadelphia area. Lindback Award honorees received $3,500 and were honored during the Foundation’s spring reception on May 21. Eiler, an Elementary Education major while at Holy Family University, works at Baldi Middle School. Her nomination submission highlighted Eiler’s more than 25 years of experience and how she “challenges her students to think critically and nurtures their growth.” Lynch, who received her Master of Education degree from Holy Family, is now the Education Liaison at Swenson Arts & Tech High School, where she collaborates with others to advocate for students with special needs. Weightman, a Kindergarten Teacher at Anne Frank Elementary School, received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Holy Family in 1991. Her nomination entry noted that Weightman is the “most requested teacher at her school, where she is universally adored by parents.”
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Kopka wins Tampa Review Prize Dr. Keith Kopka, Assistant Professor at Holy Family University, has won the 2019 Tampa Review Prize for Poetry for his first book of poems, Count Four. In addition to a $2,000 check, the award includes hardback and paperback book publication in 2020 by the University of Tampa Press.
Philadelphia Employees Eligible for 25% Tuition Discount Philadelphia City Employees can now advance their studies and careers with a 25% tuition discount at Holy Family University. Through the Mayor’s Returning to Learning program, employees can apply the discount to standard tuition for eligible undergraduate, or graduate degree programs at the University (excluding doctoral courses).
Heiler ’19 Accepts Position with Teach For America Kyra Heiler ’19, a Psychology major with a minor in Childhood Studies, began a teaching position in June with Teach For America in Memphis, Tennessee.
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News
Patricia Moorhouse Leonard ’59 Library Seminar Room Dedication
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McElwaine Spreads Message About Substance Abuse and Stigma
Nursing School Dean Updates Book for 2019
Dr. Patrick McElwaine ’00, M’04 continued to raise awareness about substance abuse issues, education, and stigma during two notable speaking engagements. The Assistant Professor in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program spoke May 31 at the Lilly Conference in Bethesda, Maryland. His presentation, “Designing an Effective Substance Abuse Class,” discussed various ways to have an impactful and informative substance abuse classroom experience. McElwaine also spoke June 21 at the Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s annual convention in Pittsburgh. His talk, “Breaking Stigma: Addiction and Mental Health,” provided an overview of substance use and mental health disorders, as well as highlighted how individuals can overcome stigma. “I believe anything we can do to diminish the stigma of addiction and mental illness should be done,” McElwaine said. “The primary way to do this is through open communication. The more discussions and conversations we can have on this subject, the more knowledge we gain, and the stronger the chance for positive change.”
Dr. Cynthia Russell, Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, recently updated and refocused her co-authored book, A Ministry of Care: Promoting Health in Your Faith Community. The book, originally published in 2004, is now more user-friendly for faith communities. Working alongside Dr. Kristen Mauk, a Professor of Nursing and the Graduate Program Director at Colorado Christian University, the nursing educators wanted to create a book to assist parishioners in developing a health care ministry, even as the church focuses on the spiritual care of the members. “Dr. Mauk and I wrote this book complete with checklists, health links, and guidelines to support faith communities in creating a pathway for members to take a lead in supporting the health of their church and those in the surrounding community,” Russell said.
WINTER / 2019
Photo: Candace diCarlo (dedication); Dan Johnson (McElwaine)
In grateful recognition of a gift from the estate of Patricia Moorhouse Leonard ’59, a new seminar room in the Library was dedicated and blessed on October 26. Pat passed away in 2014 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. According to her family, Pat’s endless curiosity and enthusiasm for books and reading, enhanced and encouraged at Holy Family, inspired her generosity. The gift was used to renovate and furnish the seminar room, which will feature state-of-the-art technology, such as an electronic whiteboard that connects to the Internet and facilitates more interactive presentations and collaborative projects. The room will be available for use by all members of the community for group study and other meetings.
Amato Publishes Chapter on Female Math Anxiety
MONEY® Again Names HFU a Best College
As an Assistant Professor of Management Marketing in the School of Business Administration, Luanne Amato, EdD, is comfortable examining complicated data sets to make informed decisions. However, she has found that not everyone feels the same. Amato recently authored a chapter in the Handbook of Research on Social Inequality and Education titled,
For the third straight year, Holy Family University was named a Best College by MONEY® Magazine, ranking 273 out of 744 in the nation, and placing as the highest-ranked SEPCHE institution and fifth highest-ranked Philadelphia-based college.
“Barriers to a STEM Career: Math Anxiety and the Adult Female,” that provides clearer insights into the origins and effects of math anxiety as a reason why females are less likely to choose STEM majors and, ultimately, related careers. Amato has found that females are more susceptible to this condition because of a long-established gender bias. Taking action in her own classroom, Amato will lead a new course in Spring 2020, Applied Business Statistics, that will relate concepts directly to the Management Marketing field.
Photo: David Pavlak
Middle States Accreditation: Getting Better from the Inside Out Every eight years, Holy Family University undergoes the rigorous process of Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaccreditation. Once again, the time has come for self-study and reflection, so we can take a good look in the mirror and acknowledge both what we see and what we would like to see. It is an opportunity for us to look across the University, to understand what we are doing well and what could be improved, and to realize how we might continually meet the standards for accreditation and deliver excellent educational opportunities. “Working together with a team of alumni, students and faculty, we are building a framework for evaluation, planning and continuous improvement across seven accreditation
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standards of excellence,” said Nicole Stokes, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Diversity for Holy Family University. “It’s an 18-month process of institutional reflection, and a critical opportunity to determine what’s next for the University and to continue to achieve its mission.” Reaccreditation signifies that Holy Family University has met standards for accreditation in each of seven areas: Mission and Goals; Ethics and Integrity, Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience; Support of the Student Experience; Educational Effectiveness Assessment; Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement; and Governance, Leadership, and Administration.
62nd Commencement Celebrates Student Success Holy Family University conferred 919 total degrees on May 14 during its 62nd Commencement Ceremony at the Kimmel Center. The University graduated its first four Doctor of Nursing Practice students, and Sister Maureen encouraged graduates to relish the moment before making their mark in the world.
Author Kathy Peiss Previews New Book at HFU University of Pennsylvania Professor Kathy Peiss previewed her new book on November 14, Information Hunters: When Librarians, Soldiers and Spies Banded Together in World War II, as part of the Glen Foerd-Holy Family University Speaker Series.
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News
Pre-Professional Programs Pave Way for New Graduates Since 2017, seven Holy Family University graduates have taken the next step in their medical careers after being accepted into various medical schools around the United States. The alumni, all of whom majored in Biology or Biochemistry, had two other things in common. They each declared the pre-med track and wanted to focus on medical careers where they could help people. “Holy Family University’s Pre-Professional Programs are a way for students to take a major step forward in their educational journey,” said Dr. Michael Markowitz, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Students in these programs undertake some of the most rigorous academic challenges that Holy Family has to offer.” Michael Sicilano ’17 is attending Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. He is pursuing a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine.
Samantha Sundermeier ’18 is attending Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine.
Ugo Uguru ’17 is attending Drexel University’s School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Medicine.
Taylor Walker ’18 is attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s School of Dental Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Dental Medicine.
Bailey Walters ’17 is attending Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, Washington. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine.
Nicholas Ihnatenko ’19 is attending Drexel University’s School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He is pursuing a Doctorate of Medicine.
Sasha Stepansky ’18 is attending Temple University’s School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Dental Medicine.
Alexis Bizupic, a senior Neuroscience major, and Sarah Maloy, a senior Psychology major, both presented at the 31st Association for Psychological Science’s Annual Convention, held from May 23 to 26 in Washington, DC. Both students presented their honors program projects. Bizupic’s presentation was titled “Relationships Between Emotion Regulation Ability and Stress Management.” Her work explored the use of coping strategies and its relationship to reappraisal and suppression. Maloy’s research was titled “The Impact of Sleep Quality on Coping” and investigated the level of sleep quality among college students and whether or not it was connected to their use of coping strategies.
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Senior Class Legacy Gift Cues Up Fun for Students Students are stopping by the upper section of the Campus Center Commons for a quick game of pool or simply to catch the action thanks to a gift from the Class of 2019. The gift, matched by the University, helped to purchase a new pool table, so students could step into a game or around the table to enjoy a quick study break, some good competition and camaraderie. Beginning with the Class of 2009 and celebrating its 10th anniversary with the Class of 2019, the Senior Class Legacy Campaign aims to instill a tradition of service and philanthropy to alma mater, just as generations of alumni have done before them.
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Photo: Debbie Lewis
Seniors Present at Association for Psychological Science’s Annual Convention
Spotlight
Born to Serve By Barbara Link
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Photo: Julia Lehman-McTigue
rowing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Carl Randolph, Sr. ’16, M’20 would walk by the firehouse every day on his way to and from junior high school. He was captivated by it, and soon began stopping in to talk with the firefighters. He had known from the time he was about eight years old that this would be his future. After high school, Randolph joined the Navy, where he spent four years as a Machinist Mate onboard the USS Constellation, working in the steam room to launch aircraft. His firefighting assignment was number one nozzleman in Repair Locker One Bravo. It was the Navy that eventually brought Randolph to Philadelphia, and he decided to make it his home. In December 2019, Randolph celebrated his 25th anniversary with the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD), where he serves as Special Operations Deputy Chief. He is in command of PFD Special Operations, with responsibility for Hazmat, Homeland Security, and PA TF-1—one of the country’s 28 Urban Search and Rescue Teams. It was when his four children began nearing college age that Randolph decided he wanted to set a good example for them, to show them what is possible. He enrolled at Holy Family University and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and Public Safety Administration (FSPS) in 2016. Holy Family offers one of only 16 programs in the world accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. When the University launched its Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) Program in 2018, Randolph was among the first cohort of students to sign on. This unique, blended program combines online study and face-to-face weekend classes to accommodate busy professionals who are interested in propelling their careers to even greater heights. Randolph will graduate with his MSOL in May 2020. “This is a calling for me,” said Randolph, who also serves on Holy Family’s FSPS Program Advisory Committee. “I just enjoy helping people and keeping them safe. We are the first responders. We are 911. There is no 912. I work with so many everyday heroes and phenomenal leaders. The MSOL program is exceeding my expectations and providing me with the tools I need to take the next step in my career.” “Leadership is the cornerstone of any MSOL program,” said Barry Dickinson, PhD, Dean, School of Business Administration. “As a Catholic institution, we also focus on the human side of human capital. Carl is emblematic of that. He embodies our mission in every way.”
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Raising the Bar for Student
Success By Debbie Lewis
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here is a special population of students moving between classes at Holy Family University. It is one where a third of incoming students are from low and middle income families and 97 percent of new, full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance. More than half enter as first-generation college students while often working one or two jobs to afford college and to help their families make ends meet. Despite these challenges, there is an air of shared determination that permeates the halls to help students meet obstacles head-on and overcome whatever roadblocks may present themselves along their academic paths. Holy Family University has always prided itself on creating an environment that helps students reach graduation and embark on fulfilling careers, even under trying circumstances. That is why the University applied for and became the only Philadelphia-based institution to receive a $2 million Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve academic quality and fiscal stability. “This is a game-changer for Holy Family,” said University President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD. “We qualified to apply because of the number of Pell grant recipients we have here, and it’s heartwarming to be able to say that we’ll use those funds to create a center that will not only add to overall academic life on campus, but focus specifically on students who are most at risk in terms of academic performance.” This fortuitous grant comes at the right time for the University to better serve its faculty and students, while meeting a growing trend that is apparently at the crux of its culture. “Higher education is undergoing an important sea change, where student success and learning is a primary focus,” said Adrianna Kezar, Professor of Education, University of Southern California, Co-director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education, and Director of the Delphi Project on the Changing Faculty and Student Success. “The mission of campuses has always been educating, but measuring and demonstrating that students are indeed learning is new. Additionally, providing support so that students succeed, rather than sink or swim, is also new.” 1
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The University will use the Title III grant money to create a new Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on the second floor of the Library to provide students and faculty alike
with individualized training and support. On January 2, 2020, Lisa Ratmansky was named Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Ratmansky has extensive
experience in CTL creation and oversight, as well as in Title III grant management. The new center will expand the existing Center for Academic Excellence to connect students
Shelley Robbins, PhD, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, has devoured books her whole life. She credits her father— a career bookbinder who worked for various publishers and did overflow government printing work—for sparking her love of reading as a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Washington, DC. “Dad took me to the library and got me a library card, so we went every week,” said Robbins. “I read everything from Nancy Drew to real life stories and biographical series including a favorite about Teddy Roosevelt.” Today, Robbins has a stack of books next to her bed, as well as a collection that could fill a library of her own. Perhaps that is why she became the first in her family to graduate college, paving a path for others to follow. “A college education is there for anyone who wants one,” she said. “You can do it. You may need to look outside your family for inspiration and guidance on how to do it, and then you become the role model for the young people in your family.” Most of her younger cousins now have advanced degrees. One cousin, at age 10, was interested in reading Robbins’ biology textbooks, and today she is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. Another cousin received his agricultural degree from Penn State, inspired by their grandfather who was a farmer. Robbins received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She earned both her Master’s and PhD in Psychology from Stony Brook University, the State University of New York, and she has been a clinical psychologist ever since. Today, she still provides psychological counseling services for elderly clients at an area nursing home on weekends. Robbins believes that anyone can be the inspiration for the next generation, and that is what she is focused on each day in her role at Holy Family University. Over the past several years, she has put her unique experience and perspective to work to develop the prospectus and applications for the Title III Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education. “The grant will help us excel at what we do best—support student success,” she said. “With a greater focus on training and developing our faculty and identifying students at risk—before they want to give up—we can help provide the guidance and assistance they need to cross the finish line. With this grant, the University will be able to advance its proven support model for students in the School of Nursing and apply it to its other schools across the board. Robbins has always had a knack for seeing the big picture and putting it into practice. During the summer between high school and college, she worked in the psychology department at the Smithsonian Institution, performing observational analysis of
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how families interacted in the museums to improve interactivity and promote non-traditional learning. She noticed in the Air and Space Museum, where the aircraft were mostly hung from the ceiling, that families would wonder what they look like inside. As a result, the museum pulled the aircrafts to the ground, so families could actually walk through them. In the gems and gemstones exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History, the famous Hope Diamond was set up against the wall where visitors would need to wait in a long line just to see it. Robbins observed that it needed to be more accessible so more people could view this special gem at the same time. Today, the Hope Diamond is located in the center of the room, where people can walk around it and light hits it from every angle. Students and faculty are fortunate to benefit from Robbins’ crystal clear, 360-degree view of what is needed to create an innovative and progressive learning environment at Holy Family University. “We can meet students where they are—and understand what they’re dealing with both inside and outside of the classroom—to inspire and help drive them forward to achieve their goals through graduation. Everyone is happy when they start and when they’re done, but we want to help them along the way,” she said.
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Photo: Jay Soda
Dean Robbins’ First Generation View of Student Success
Photo: Michael Branscom
at risk of poor academic performance with success counselors who will teach them the skills they need to perform well. “Coming from blue-collar backgrounds, our students don’t usually know their potential. So, this grant gives us a competitive edge with our students, because it allows us to offer the resources they need to thrive,” said Sister Maureen. The $2 million will be disbursed over five years, with about $400,000 dedicated to equipment for the new center. In addition, funds will be allocated for identifying student disabilities and finding ways to overcome learning hurdles. Faculty and students also will receive training to implement technology in the classroom. “Improving the quality of instruction is an institutional imperative, as better teaching leads to better student outcomes, which is good for the institution,” said Steven C. Taylor, Principal Investigator, Examining and Quality Assuring Post-Secondary Pedagogy for the American Council of Education. “Better student outcomes impact attrition, the number of courses repeated, and time to graduation. Therefore, there is a financial incentive for the institution to invest in preparing its faculty. As with any organization, faculty need support, guidance, and resources to achieve and maintain high levels of teaching effectiveness.” 2 Shelley Robbins, PhD, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, worked on the grant application, and her team conducted in-depth analysis on the University’s strengths, which included a successful support model for its School of Nursing students. Holy Family plans to extend that support to the rest of the school by increasing tutoring sessions for classes where students typically struggle. With a student population of 3,111 students (2,137 undergraduate and 974 graduate), Holy Family University has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio, and student-faculty bonds are often strengthened during the most challenging times. “We want to help faculty navigate those waters and help students find their way, when times get tough,” said Robbins. One 2018 graduate, Kathleen Salinel, currently an ER nurse at Chestnut Hill Hospital, questioned her academic plan. “Having staff and faculty relationships was a big component of my success and positive experience," said Salinel. “Whenever I was
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Salinel Continues to Make Her Mark Kathleen (Kat) Salinel ’18, is fondly remembered by faculty and staff as a very involved student who made the most of her four years at Holy Family University. While it is no surprise to many that Salinel is now a successful ER Nurse at Chestnut Hill Hospital (CHH), there was a time when she faced hurdles and questioned if nursing was her true calling. “I had this phase where I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue nursing—my Geriatrics course was a challenge for me,” said Salinel. “There are so many resources at Holy Family, and it’s all in your hands whether you take advantage of them.” She credits her positive experience with the strong faculty relationships she formed and her immersive participation in service activities. “Having staff and faculty to turn to was a big component of my success and overall college experience,” she said. “Whenever I was struggling in Nursing classes, I could go directly to my professors, Bettyanne Matase, Mary Rush and Wendi Smith.” A self-proclaimed “Habitater,” Salinel spent all four Spring Breaks building houses for those in need with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, where she served as the Chapter President. “Habitat was one of the things that helped me branch out in the University,” said Salinel. “It was how I started to get close to faculty. Mike McNulty-Bobholz was a big person in my life. I asked his opinion on things, and I enjoyed planning and participating in our annual student-led trips.” (McNulty-Bobholz, M’11 is Associate Vice President for Student Life). Since she lived close by, it was easy to come back and forth to campus. The Library was like a second home, where Salinel spent much of her free time volunteering for the Center for Academic Enhancement (CAE). Here she worked with Dennis Milan, CAE Director, to help freshman, sophomore and transfer students at risk. When Salinel faced her own struggles, she had a strong support system in place. “I was advised to take a semester off of Nursing, so I took a semester focused on Psychology,” Salinel said. “I realized that I needed a more hands-on experience. My clinical rotation in Pediatrics was where I found my calling. At St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, I was inspired by how I can help people.” In May of 2019, Salinel received a DAISY Award, a national recognition for nurses who are nominated by their patients for outstanding service. The patient who nominated her wrote: "She was so calm and capable that I was able to remain very calm, which was a true blessing. She was an excellent listener and carefully explained everything she was doing and answered all of my questions. Kathleen's calm, careful and cheerful manner made me feel like I could trust the care I was getting at CHH." DAISY Awards don’t come every day to newly minted registered nurses. Salinel celebrated her oneyear anniversary at Chestnut Hill Hospital in December 2019. “I went from a small university to a small community hospital. Funny how it worked out that way,” said Salinel. “My dad always liked how I lived close to the nest, and so did I. But now I’m beginning to branch out.”
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struggling in my classes, I could go directly to my teachers.” She also credits a required course, Pathways to Nursing, for helping improve her study habits and time management skills, and also deal with external stress factors. “This grant will help us identify when these obstacles kick in so we can help our students get to the finish line,” Robbins said. “Everyone is happy when they start and when they’re done, but we want to help them along their way.” Robbins is proud to work for a University where everyone knows your name, and students feel comfortable greeting her in the parking lot.
“Hey Dean Robbins, they’ll say when they see me,” she said. “I’m able to connect with students on a higher level, to know who they are in and out of the classroom. Our intimate campus environment provides a distinct opportunity for faculty to be able to spot when students are challenged in meeting demands at school, at home, or both.” While Holy Family University may have a culture of care and support built in to its successful formula, the Title III grant will help build a strong framework for even greater student success. The model for success that has been implemented in the School of Nursing includes student success counselors, and mandates
that students receive extra support services which are tracked closely at every grade and assignment level. “To support the institutionalization of a culture of teaching excellence, faculty developers need to define how they can support such a culture, create benchmarks of activities that connect with a culture of teaching excellence, and demonstrate through assessment how they are contributing to such efforts,” said Kezar. 3 The Title III grant money will be invested in faculty training and development, and the grant requires detailed measurement and reporting. “We received this award to continue to
Generous Support from Foundations Makes a Big Difference for Students W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Since 1994, the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust has provided more than $1.5 million in scholarship grants for Holy Family University students. Each year, up to 30 students receive scholarships through the Trust that make it easier to pay for tuition and graduate on time. Located in West Conshohocken, the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation established by William Wikoff Smith. The Trust is specifically focused on areas involving basic needs for food, clothing and shelter; higher education scholarship programs; maritime heritage preservation; and basic medical research primarily in heart disease. At an October 21 celebratory luncheon for W.W. Smith Scholars at Holy Family, University President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD, said, “Bill Smith, the founder of the Trust, was a remarkable man who had many varied interests. However, his goal to ‘encourage young people to excel in all aspects of their lives through education…and to reach their highest potential’ resonates with me the most.”
WW Smith Scholars met with university president, Sister Maureen McGarrity and W.W. Smith grants administrator, Brian Jones, at the recent Scholars Luncheon hosted by the university.
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Photo: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
The generosity of donors allows Holy Family to continue to innovate and deliver exceptional programs that propel students to successful careers upon graduation. At the University, scholarships and investments in educational programs play a pivotal role in opening the door to opportunity and shaping a bright future for a generation of students. “We’ve formed a special partnership with many foundations that are committed to our students’ success, whether it’s through scholarships, facilities improvements or programmatic support,” said Kim Caulfield, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Foundation and Government Relations. “Their investment makes a tremendous difference.” With 97 percent of our students receiving some form of financial aid, support from foundations like the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation play a leading role in the University’s ability to meet the needs of a distinctive student population. Thanks to support from the George I. Alden Trust and its investment in state-of-the-art biology lab equipment, we are also able to continue to deliver innovative educational experiences.
excel at what we do best,” said Robbins. “We know how to build an educational scaffold—where faculty and staff help students develop the skills so they can grow and be successful. We now will be able to broaden and measure the success of this model across the University.” According to Robbins, while the school is focused on the science of student success, there’s also a bit of art to it. Here is a recipe for what is needed: 1. Recognize early warning signs of nonsuccess—when students may be faltering, questioning, or losing determination. 2. Introduce student success counselors to provide a safety parachute and provide ap-
propriate guidance. 3. Increase tutors to ensure that students can get the specific academic help they need. 4. Train and develop faculty in various kinds of teaching to understand different student learning styles and so all are at the same level of proficiency with technology, syllabus writing and classroom pedagogies. 5. Ensure that students have clear expectations about what to anticipate with workload, classroom and teacher demands. “The idea is that learning is like erecting a building,” said Robbins. “You build the foundation, and you go to the next level and climb the scaffold to keep on building upwards. That’s what we’re doing at Holy Family Uni-
That legacy carries on. Brian Jones, Grants Administrator at W.W. Smith, met with each student personally to learn about their aspirations and challenges, while also giving them encouragement to work hard and reach their goals.
Photo: Debbie Lewis
Holy Family University recently welcomed representatives from the George I. Alden Trust to our campus. Pictured (from left to right) are: Mike Markowitz, Vice President, Academic Affairs; Jim Garvey, Vice President, Advancement; Shelley Robbins, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences; Alden Trust Chair Warner Fletcher; Alden Trust Clerk Douglas Meystre; Alden Trust Vice Chair Gail Randall; Alden Trust Treasurer Jim Collins; Kim Caulfield, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Foundation and Government Relations; and Shannon Brown, Executive Director, Libraries.
The George I. Alden Trust Biology is one of the most popular majors at Holy Family University, with many biology classes also serving as a necessary requirement for students who want to enter the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. Thanks to a generous grant from the George I. Alden Trust, students can now use the latest equipment for experiments that turn theory into hands-on learning. Through a $75,000 grant that was matched by the University, the lab now features equipment not only commonly used in academia, but also in pharmaceutical research. The grant has allowed the University to update the curriculum to meet current demands of the job market, while increasing the opportunities for students wishing to attend graduate school. The equipment (microscope, centrifuges, incubators, micro pipettes PCR machines, and other instrumentation that measures DNA and protein levels) purchased with the grant was instrumental in helping modernize the laboratory experiments that can now be offered to our students.
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versity—continuing our journey to the top for our entire community.” “We want our students to make the most of their time here and ensure they can find a career at the end of their four-year degree,” said Sister Maureen. “The University was founded to serve the neighborhood population and students who didn’t have the opportunity to pursue their education. With this new Center for Teaching and Learning, we will stay true to that mission and continue to reach even higher.”
1, 2, 3
American Council on Education, Institutional Commitment to Teaching Excellence: Assessing the Impacts and Outcomes of Faculty Development, 2017
The George I. Alden Trust seeks to support institutions that demonstrate a combination of educational excellence, exciting and forward-looking programming, and efficient and effective administration. The Trust looks for projects that contribute significantly to the intellectual growth of students, enhance an institution’s mission, and lead to solid preparation for lifelong learning and post-college careers. Independence Blue Cross Foundation Holy Family University’s well-known and highly respected School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions has prepared thousands of nurses at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation continues to be an important partner for many of our students. Through the Foundation’s Nurses for Tomorrow program, scholarship recipients receive much-needed tuition support, allowing them to focus more on their studies and fulfill their dreams of contributing to others in the field of nursing. “We're so fortunate to have the Independence Blue Cross Foundation as a partner in the success of our students,” said Dr. Cynthia A. Russell, Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions. “The Nurses for Tomorrow program provides vital support and encouragement that enables our students to persevere and succeed.” Holy Family’s School of Nursing is one of 20 nursing schools that are recipients of more than $1.1 million in grant funding this year to support scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing students through the Foundation. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in Nurses for Tomorrow grants to 24 nursing schools that provided scholarships to nearly 3,000 nursing students. “Our partnership model is essential to the University’s formula for success,” said Sister Maureen. “By enabling students to enter the halls of education, it then becomes up to us to offer a guiding hand, and ultimately up to them to put their determination to work.”
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Holy Family University’s yearbook, Familogue, is now digitized and available online! Free Alumni Benefit! Individual volumes of Familogue, Holy Family University’s yearbook, have been digitized for the benefit of alumni. Beginning with Holy Family’s first graduating class in 1958, Familogue was published for every class through the Class of 2013. Familogue provides a glimpse of life at Holy Family as presented by our students. As you view your class’ yearbook and others, we hope it brings back warm memories of your time at Holy Family! To view, search, and download Holy Family yearbooks, please visit
holyfamily.edu/yearbooks.
The Holy Family Alumni Insurance Program can help protect your house, your spouse, your children, and even your pets. Now, we are pleased to introduce even more benefits: • Proprietary Medicare Exchange – ease the burden of shopping for a plan with this terrific service • Alum LTD – Long Term Disability Income Protection now with a 15% discount, exclusively for alumni and their families • Real Estate Referral Program – receive up to a 20% commission rebate on a purchase or sale
For more information, please visit HFU.MeyerAndAssoc.com or call 800.635.7801
Spotlight
Profile of a Poet Laureate: Raquel Salas Rivera By Debbie Lewis
Photo: Kielinski Photography
M
ore than 120 people packed the ETC Auditorium October 28, 2019 to see Raquel Salas Rivera, Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate and award-winning poet and author, kick off the HFU Distinguished Writers Series. “Our students and everyone who attended were able to hear from this remarkable writer, and they had the chance to learn more about the poet’s process and sources of inspiration,” said Shelley Robbins, PhD, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Rivera, who prefers using gender-neutral pronouns, read first from their book of poems titled The Tertiary/Lo Terciario, reading each poem first in Spanish and then in English. Rivera then read from a more recent publication, While They Sleep (Under the Bed is Another Country), a reaction to Hurricane Maria and its aftermath in Puerto Rico. Each page has a brief statement or poem in English offering a U.S. perspective on the disaster, as well as a footnote in Spanish that serves as a reaction to the English text from a Puerto Rican voice. “This was very moving,” said Robbins. “Raquel warned that there might be crying during the reading—referring both to their own reaction to the reading as well as the audience reaction.” Rivera also discussed the emergence of the We (Too) Are Philly Poetry Festival, a summer festival they organized with other poets, including Dr. Raena Shirali, Assistant Professor of English for Holy Family University. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too,” the festival features a line-up of poets of color who have a strong commitment to fighting white supremacy and collaborating with local communities to establish shared creative spaces. Rivera noted the influence of Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too,” and said, “I want to make people feel the way Langston Hughes made me feel.” One student asked if Rivera was nervous to read in front of so many people. The student divulged that she had written a poem and wanted to submit it to the Holy Family literacy magazine Folio. “To write the poem was bold,” responded Rivera. “You already have courage inside of you.” Dr. Keith Kopka, Assistant Professor of English, said, “Raquel’s reading was fantastic, and the generous amount of time spent in conversation with the audience illustrated the kind of free exchange of ideas that is at the core of the HFU Distinguished Writers Series mission.”
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The
Measure of Justice
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n October 2019, Patricia Griffin, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Graduate Criminal Justice Program at Holy Family University, was awarded a significant research grant to assess the practices and outcomes of the Bucks County Drug Court. Established by the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in 2010, Drug Court aims to break the cycle of addiction, crime, and repeat incarceration by offering an alternative pathway for offenders living with substance use disorders. Applicants who are accepted into the program receive comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services designed to build the skills needed to become productive members of society. The research grant will facilitate Griffin’s thorough evaluation of the program and its impact on the community. And it opens the door for the University’s graduate students to assist in the process, enabling them to gain invaluable experience in applied research.
By Barbara Link Photography by Julia Lehman-McTigue 20
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Patricia Griffin, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Graduate Criminal Justice Program at Holy Family University, stands before the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown.
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The Fundamental Problem
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he statistics are staggering. The United States incarcerates 2.3 million people— far more than any other country. That means for every 100,000 people living in America, more than 650 are behind bars. Approximately half of those serving time in federal prisons were convicted for drug-related offenses. In state prisons, that number is 21 percent. Research indicates that incarceration is not the answer. “We know that America suffers from an alarming addiction crisis, and addiction is associated with crime in the community,” said Judge Rea Boylan, who established the Bucks County Drug Court along with Warren Grant, who serves as Program Coordinator. “We also know that incarceration is ineffective in developing the skills offenders need to maintain sobriety. Unless people learn how to contribute to the community, they are doomed to recidivate. Drug Court provides the structure, treatment, and support these individuals need to rebuild their lives.” The recidivism rate—the frequency of relapsing into criminal behavior and returning to prison—for drug-related offenders in the American criminal justice system is nearly 63 percent.
“Traditional punishment is not effective for this population,” said Grant. “Instead, we need to set people up to be self-sufficient and give them a road map to success. Drug Court provides those tools. Ninety-five percent of our graduates are employed, and many have even gone on to work in the treatment field. Families are being reunited and parents are regaining custody of their children. These former offenders are becoming productive citizens again, without the risk of driving under the influence or committing theft. And the entire community is safer for it.”
Breaking the Cycle
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he Bucks County Drug Court is a voluntary program available to nonviolent probation and parole violators, and post-plea, pre-sentence offenders. It consists of four phases, with each phase lasting a minimum of 90 days. Specific milestones need to be met before entering the next phase. To graduate from the program, participants must successfully complete treatment for drug or alcohol use; obtain a high school diploma or GED; maintain fulltime employment or another approved use of time; secure adequate housing; remain drug-free, alcohol-free, and arrest-free for six months prior to graduation; and pay any
court costs, fines, and restitution in full. Four times per year, the Drug Court holds a graduation ceremony to process each case and recognize every individual who has successfully completed the program. Graduates bring their families and loved ones, and share their stories before everyone in attendance. The gratitude is palpable. “We’re helping people to become better human beings,” said Michael J. Harrison, Deputy Chief of the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department. “Someone who gets into trouble is given the opportunity to address the root cause, and presented with access to the resources needed for successful rehabilitation. It’s not just the lives of the program participants that are changed, but whole families that are healed. And when previous offenders become less likely to commit additional crimes, there is less crime in the community. This program benefits all of us.”
On the Job
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uke Walker ’11, M’20 is nearing completion of his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at Holy Family. He serves as a Probation and Parole Officer with the Bucks County Drug Court. It was one of his professors—a former probation officer
Holy Family University’s Pat Griffin (pictured center) is flanked by several members of the Bucks County Drug Court team (from left to right): Luke Walker, Probation Officer; Lisa Rogers, Probation Officer; Sean Carson, Probation Officer; Christa Dunleavy, Public Defender; Warren Grant, Drug Court Program Coordinator; Ana Rosado, Clinical Director; Pat Donchez, Counselor, Department of Corrections; and Wendy Flanigan, Coordinator of Service Development. Members of the Drug Court team who are not pictured include The Honorable Rea B. Boylan, Drug Court Judge; The Honorable Gary B. Gilman, Drug Court Judge; Lyndsey MacNair, District Attorney; Brad Bastedo, Public Defender; Joseph Haag, Public Defender; Erin Schieber, Drug Court Coordinator; Sara Lemoi, Drug Court Coordinator; and Perry Ferrara, Sheriff’s Office.
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Probation and Parole Officer Luke Walker ’11, M’20 earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Holy Family and will complete his Master’s degree in 2020.
himself—who steered him toward his career when he suggested an internship in adult probation and parole during Walker’s undergraduate studies at Holy Family. “Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer,” said Walker. “But at my professor’s urging, I decided to do the internship, and I completely fell in love with probation and parole work. It changed my whole outlook. Typically, when an individual is incarcerated and then released, they haven’t learned any new skills. They come back into the community the same person they were when they entered the system. That’s why the recidivism rate is so high. Drug Court provides the necessary tools for people to change. I get to know the individuals I work with really well, and I see them turn their lives around. It’s rewarding when someone who’s been involved in the criminal justice system for years returns to the community bringing so much more to the table.”
Calculating the Impact
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y combining drug treatment with ongoing judicial supervision, Drug Courts seek to break the cycle of addiction, crime and repeat incarceration,” said Judge Boylan. “In terms of recidivism and dollars available, we must be able to demonstrate the ways in which we’ve been effective, and identify areas where we can improve upon the treatment we offer and the service we provide to the community.” With measurement such a critical factor, the Bucks County Drug Court allocated a portion of recent funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to assess the effectiveness of its work. The “Monitoring and Evaluation” project takes the form of a four-year, multi-phase research grant of up to $180,000, with the goal of better understanding the impact of the Court’s practices on reducing drug use and crime. It was Harrison who suggested that Griffin apply for the grant. “We knew Dr. Griffin through her work assisting with bringing a Reentry Coalition
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to Bucks County, an initiative that opens pathways to effectively reintegrate former prisoners back into the community,” explained Harrison. “She’s a very well-known and highly respected researcher in the field. She and I are both members of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency—specifically the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee—and I knew she was interested in doing more work in this area. We already had a strong partnership with Holy Family University, and we knew Dr. Griffin’s background would be a perfect fit for the Drug Court research project. Ultimately, Drug Court and the County Commissioners agreed."
The Right Match
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riffin began her career in federal law enforcement as part of the U.S. Organized Crime Strike Force. When she joined Holy Family in 2017, she brought with her 30 years of experience teaching sociology
and criminology, and a rich history of working collaboratively with criminal justice agencies. Griffin is deeply committed to providing more than content knowledge to her students. She also wants them to have the ability to apply that knowledge toward making evidence-based decisions in the real world. The Bucks County Drug Court research grant will serve to further this commitment, as Griffin plans to offer paid assistantships for graduate students who can support the project. “I see myself as a scholarpractitioner,” said Griffin. “I’ve always been an assessor, an evaluator, someone who asks every possible question. I want our graduate students to develop those skills. I want our Criminal Justice Graduate Program to be an applied program in every way. The opportunity for students to become involved in the assessment and evaluation of a concrete program like the Bucks County Drug Court is an exemplar of what an applied program should look like. I’m really proud of this grant and the skills it will instill in the students who become involved— critical skills they’ll utilize throughout their careers.”
A Different Approach
T
he opportunity for students to participate in this research project is just one of the elements that set Holy Family’s Criminal Justice Program apart from other schools. The University offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice, as well as a 4+1 program. Small classroom settings
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allow personalized attention from a dynamic faculty, many of whom are former practitioners. Graduates have moved onto prestigious careers with government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as several local and state police departments and court systems. And the University recently introduced two highly valued concentrations in the Master’s program—Cyber Security and Public Safety Leadership. In addition to Griffin, Holy Family’s fulltime criminal justice faculty includes Assistant Professor Jonathan D. Rosen, PhD, and Associate Professor David Whelan, PhD. All three possess impressive credentials and experience, and remain dedicated to research initiatives within their various areas of expertise. “This is the strongest team we’ve ever had in our Criminal Justice Program,” said Michael W. Markowitz, PhD, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “By its very nature, criminal justice is an applied discipline, designed to analyze and address the realities and
needs of the criminal justice system. At Holy Family, we craft an interdisciplinary curriculum for students that reaches them in theory, but more importantly, in practice— how to become effective change agents for a system. This is why we require our undergraduate students to complete internships during junior or senior year. We don’t want them just sitting in a classroom. We want them out there gaining real experience and making a difference.”
Serving the Community
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s a University, we need to be as valuable to the community as the community is to us,” said Griffin. “We believe in partnership.” Holy Family has hosted the introductory meeting of the Bucks County Reentry Coalition, the County Commissioners Meeting, and the annual Public Safe-
ty Leadership Symposium, and continues to collaborate closely with numerous agencies and organizations. “The Bucks County Drug Court research grant represents true partnership,” Griffin continued. “One of our values at the University is Family. Rather than incarcerating parents, let’s seek opportunities to keep parents and children together, without sacrificing community safety. Our research will allow us to unpack each piece of the Drug Court program and evaluate its impact on crime, family and youth.” “All incarceration does is create career criminals,” said Markowitz. “The goal of today’s criminal justice system is to prevent the first incarceration in any way possible. As a whole, the system is looking to connect individuals with direct pathways that address their specific needs, as opposed to ordering traditional punishment. We need to know if these interventions are effective. The research Pat and her students will be conducting is of the utmost importance. And our University is very grateful for this opportunity.”
C A LL F O R NOMINATION S
Alumni Achievement Award The Alumni Achievement Award is given to a graduate who displays great accomplishment(s) in one or more of the following areas: • Professional achievement, • Community volunteer service, and • Humanitarian efforts. Through these accomplishments, these alumni bring recognition to themselves and to Holy Family University. To view past winners and to nominate an alumnus or alumna for this Award, head to holyfamily.edu/alumniaward Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 15, 2020. In addition to being recognized on campus and in various other promotions, winner(s) will receive two complimentary tickets to the 2020 Alumni Reunion on April 25, 2020, where they will be formally recognized by their peers and the campus community. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Alumni Office at 267-341-5017 or alumni@holyfamily.edu.
Save the Date 2020
le
dĂŽner en bleu
gala
Saturday April 25, 2020 The Union League Golf Club at Torresdale (formerly the Torresdale-Frankford Country Club)
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Athletics
Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2019 Five new members were officially inducted into the Holy Family University Athletics Hall of Fame when the Athletics Department held its annual Induction Ceremony in December. The new inductees include three former student athletes and two legendary coaches. “These five individuals exemplify what it means to be a Holy Family Tiger, not only with what they accomplished on the field of play, but also in the classroom and in the community,” said Tim Hamill ’04, M’08, Director of Athletics.
Allison Maddock ’01, Softball Eighteen years after throwing her final pitch, Maddock still ranks as the program’s all-time leader in wins with 74, and a 1.10 earned run averaged (ERA). Over her four-year career, Maddock appeared in 116 games, including 92 starts and over 658 innings of work—the most in program history. She is also the career leader in opponent batting average (.163), starts, appearances, complete games (84), shutouts (31), wins and saves (3). Maddock is the single season leader in wins after winning 22 games in both 1999 and 2000. She won 18 games in 2001—the third-most in program history. In 2000, Maddock finished with 22 victories and a career-low 1.17 ERA to go along with 124 strikeouts and nine shutouts. She helped lead the Tigers to a 38-14 season with appearances in the CACC Tournament and NAIA Regional. Mike McLaughlin, Women’s Basketball Head Coach 1995-2009 One of the most successful coaches in program history, McLaughlin served as Head Coach of the Women’s Basketball team at Holy Family for 14 seasons. He produced over 400 victories (407-61), becoming the fastest women’s basketball coach in NCAA history to reach 400 wins, doing so in 459 games. During his tenure, McLaughlin won six CACC Tournament Championships and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament six straight seasons. One of his most successful seasons came in 2007-08 when he led the Tigers to an undefeated regular
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season and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II Northeast Regional final. An eight-time CACC Coach of the Year, McLaughlin coached 27 All-CACC honorees, three CACC Rookies of the Year, and five CACC Players of the Year. His rosters featured three NAIA All-Americans, and his teams advanced to eight NAIA Tournaments before Holy Family became a full-time NCAA Division II member. Melissa Murphy ’03, Women’s Soccer Murphy was a member of the Women’s Soccer program from 1999 to 2002 and a stellar player in net for the Tigers during that span. She is the only goalkeeper in program history to hold a career goals against average under 1.00 (0.99), while recording a program record 426 career saves. During the course of her career, Murphy compiled a win-loss record of 43-18-4, including a program record 19 victories in 2000. She is a three-time All-CACC selection and was named the CACC Player of the Year in 2002. She was also selected to the All-Region team in her senior season and recognized as an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. Murphy was part of three CACC Tournament Championship teams and appeared in the NAIA Regional all four seasons of her career. Dan Williams, Men’s Basketball Head Coach 1986-2003 The first head coach in the program’s history, Williams is Men’s Basketball’s winningest coach, with 375 victories over the course of 17 seasons at Holy Family. Williams built the program from the bottom to become one of the elite city college programs during its NAIA era. In just his third season, the Tigers finished 30-9 and went on to the KAC Tournament Finals, winning the NAIA District 19 Championship. Subsequently, Holy Family appeared in its first-ever NAIA National Tournament. The Tigers would appear in the NAIA National Tournament four more times under Williams, and the team’s 30 victories in the 1988-89 season still represent the most in program history. Williams coached 14 NAIA All-Americans and 18 1,000-point scorers. He was named Coach of the Year 12 times during the course of his career.
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Compiled by Greg Pellegrino, Sports Information Director
Catherine Carr ’11, Women’s Basketball The program’s first-ever NCAA Division II All-American, Carr is the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer with 1,995 career points, averaging 16 points per game. She accumulated numerous honors during her four years at Holy Family as a four-time All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) honoree, CACC Rookie of the Year, and CACC Player of the Year. Carr received All-Region honors three times and capped her career with WBCA All-America accolades her senior season. Holy Family appeared in the CACC Tournament all four years of Carr’s career and raised the championship banner in 2008.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Carr Named to CACC Hall Of Fame WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Photo: Navraj Sandhu (volleyball)
Tigers Deliver a Standout Season The Holy Family University Women’s Volleyball team once again had a season for the ages as the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Division II East Region semifinals for the second straight year. Holy Family was one of just four teams remaining in the region and among only 32 from across the country before experiencing a season-ending loss to the University of Bridgeport in the regional semifinals. Holy Family finished 25-10 overall and 16-3 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play. The Tigers became the only CACC women’s volleyball institution to advance to back-to-back regional semifinals. Holy Family became the first to reach the regional finals in 2018. Several team members were honored at the conference level along with regional recognition, including the 2019 CACC Player of the Year in junior Carly Covington, and the back-to-back CACC Setter of the Year in sophomore Morgan Silks. Both Covington and Silks earned All-CACC first team honors, as did four-time All-CACC selection, senior Gianna Pesognelli. Fellow senior Jillian Boyle was selected to the AllCACC second team. Regionally, Covington was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) All-Region first team. Silks repeated as a D2CCA All-Region first team selection, as well as an AVCA East Region Honorable Mention for the second straight season. Pesognelli was also named AVCA East Region Honorable Mention in back-to-back seasons. In the category of additional milestones reached, Covington became the fourth player in program history to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. Pesognelli recorded her 1,000th kill and finished her career ranked fifth all-time with 1,108 kills. She also wrapped up her four-year playing career as the program’s all-time leader in block assists and attack percentage—the highest in program history. Silks, in just two seasons, established herself as not only the top setter in the CACC, but also in the region and among the Division II leaders. Boyle finished her three-year career with Holy Family with 1,563 career assists—fourth-most in program history. She is the first player to record multiple 500-plus dig seasons.
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Former Holy Family University Women’s Basketball All-American Catherine Carr ’11 has been elected to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Carr, who is already in the CACC Hall of Fame as part of the 2007-08 Holy Family Women’s Basketball team inducted two years ago, is the first individual student-athlete from Holy Family to be elected. Former legendary Head Coach Mike McLaughlin is also a member, inducted with the Hall of Fame Class of 2016. “It was no surprise when I heard the news about Catherine being honored by the CACC,” said Director of Athletics Tim Hamill ’04, M’08. “Catherine exemplified what it means to be a student athlete at Holy Family. She was one of the top women’s basketball players to come through the doors of the Campus Center.”
Building a Library for the Community For the 14th consecutive year, the Holy Family University Department of Athletics held its annual Build-A-Library initiative, collecting and presenting 1,000 new children’s books to the William Loesche Elementary School in Philadelphia. The books were delivered by members of the athletics staff and student-athletes during a school assembly in December, where Mackenzie Meyers (Women’s Soccer), Taylor Nichols (Softball), and Sean Touey (Men’s Soccer) spoke to the students. The student athletes offered advice about the importance of reading and encouragement for the school’s reading challenge, where the new books will play a role. Since the Build-A-Library initiative was introduced in 2006, the Department of Athletics has donated nearly 17,000 new books to 16 Philadelphia area schools.
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Vision & Values
Everyone’s a Winner! Holy Family Night at the Phillies on September 12 was a grand slam. The Phils beat the Braves, and 145 members of Team HFU (students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends) attended this annual event. The fun began with an HFU Alumni meet-up at Pass and Stow. Then, with custom rally towels in hand, we cheered loud and proud as together we witnessed four home runs and a night to remember. Please save the date of May 12, 2020 for the next Phillies Night! 1 / R oshan Pulimkalayil ’16, M’18, Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD and Marianne (Clisham) Harrington ’60 reminisced about when the Phillies won the World Series.
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2 / S tudents from Holy Family’s School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions had custom t-shirts made for the event. Pictured are Krysta Cassidy, Marni Segal, Lydia Ruga and Jessica Dobrowolski. 3 / R ing that bell! HFU guests waived their custom Holy Family rally towels for each of the four home runs in this game against the Atlanta Braves. 4 / T eam HFU showed up strong to represent our Holy Family home team and cheer the Phillies on to victory.
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5 / R yan Keller ’17, Ashley Beam ’18 and members of Holy Family’s Student Engagement and Student Services Offices enjoyed a night out.
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Photos: Sara szymendera
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Revelling in Homecoming 2019 The weather was bright and the vibe was just right for Homecoming 2019. The Holy Family community enjoyed a great day from the sports fields to the blacktop, where we featured an Alumni Beer Garden, rock climbing wall, food trucks and carnival games for our extended family. 1 / C heers! Holy Family Alumni enjoyed beers in commemorative Homecoming beer mugs in the Alumni Beer Garden at Homecoming. 1 2
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2 / H oly Family’s Dance Team lead an impromptu dance party in the center of all the Homecoming activities. 3 / G uests of all ages took a chance climbing the inflatable rock wall. 4 / W ith the help of HFU Ed Connections, guests painted pumpkins. 5 / G uests picked their favorite food from one of the food trucks.
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6 / A lumni Beer Garden guests enjoyed corn hole and giant Jenga games. 7 / A group of students had fun competing in the student-run carnival games.
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Photos: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
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Vision & Values
President’s Club Holiday Party On December 4, Holy Family held its annual President’s Club Holiday Party at Pen Ryn Mansion in Bensalem. It was generously hosted by Board of Trustees Chair Tony Szuszczewicz and his wife, Mary Ann. Donors who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more are recognized as President’s Club members, and receive special recognition and opportunities to engage with University leadership through exclusive events and communications. We are grateful for their leadership giving in support of student success! 1 / Blue, the new Holy Family mascot, greets Maureen and Matt McFillin, and Tony Szuszczewicz
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2 / R ichard Vassallo, Sandy and Bruce Miller, and Mary Vassallo ’85 3 / R oshan Pulimkalayil ’16, M’18, Sara Szymendera ’13, Taurai Augustin ’18, and Joan ’83 and Robert Fiorentino 4 / R yan Keller ’17, Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD, Blue, Ashley Beam ’19, and Karen Fox ’94, M’08 5 / J oan Rolland, Adrienne Riley, and Lisa Marie Vivino ’96 2
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Photos: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia
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Athletics Hall of Fame Fall 2020 Nominations for the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be accepted until March 1, 2020. Visit athletics.holyfamily.edu to make a nomination.
Questions: Contact Greg Pellegrino Sports Information Director gpellegrino@holyfamily.edu
How to Make
Your Permanent Mark on the Future
Now is the time to make a mark on the future. More and more alumni and friends of Holy Family University are choosing to leave a lasting legacy by making a gift through their will or estate. You can give (“bequeath”) many different kinds of assets—in whole or in part—in your will, including: • A paid-up life insurance policy • CDs • Cash • U.S. Savings Bonds • Securities • Artwork • Real estate • A percentage of your estate’s value • The remainder after all debts are paid and your loved ones are cared for If you believe in Holy Family University’s mission and want to help carry it forward to the future, please contact us. We would be honored to work with you and your advisor(s) to determine the gift that best suits your situation and interests. We will be pleased to welcome you into our Teneor Votis Society, which recognizes and honors the generosity and foresight of Holy Family’s planned giving donors. You will receive invitations to special events and other exclusive benefits as a Teneor Votis Society member. For more information or to let us know you have included Holy Family University in your will, please visit holyfamily.edu/bequest or contact Joshua E. Liss, Assistant Vice President for Development, at 267-341-3100 or jliss@holyfamily.edu.
Class Notes
What you do is news to your fellow alumni and your alma mater! Tell us if you have moved, changed your phone number, updated your e-mail address, become engaged, gotten married, had or adopted a baby, reunited with a group of classmates, received an award or promotion, or changed jobs— or if you just want to say, “hello!” Please forward details to the Office of Alumni and Parents, Holy Family University, 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114-2009. You can e-mail us at alumni@holyfamily.edu.
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70s
Grace (Sabatino) Fabula ’63 works as a Spanish and French ESL teacher. She lives in Pismo Beach, CA.
Jane (Causland) Kurz, PhD ’74 is the newly elected President of Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, Inc. (2ndwind.org). She is also a Professor at La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and resides in Milton, DE.
Joan (Kwapick) McDonald ’69 teaches at Northern Arizona University after a very successful, 50-year education career. She and husband, William, live in Scottsdale, AZ.
Inspired by his son and equipped with a degree in literature, Ray Pine ’03 published his debut children’s book, A Boy and his Dada, about the dynamic relationship between a father and his son. Pine funded his book through Kickstarter, the popular project-funding website that lets people donate to initiatives they connect with. More than 80 people donated to help Pine raise $3,613 and exceed his $3000 goal by 20%.
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Phyllis Szal-Smith ’74 is a semiretired Home Health Hospice nurse. She and husband, Roger Smith, live in San Francisco, CA.
Beth (Nagle) Janyszek ’86 works as a nurse at Jefferson Headache Center in Center City. Tanya (Grady) O’Neil, PsyD ’87 is an Associate Director of Leadership and Professional Development at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Christine (Gorski) Winski ’88 M’93 teaches at Our Lady of Calvary School. She and her husband, John, live in Philadelphia.
Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD and Christina Bender, Director of Annual Giving, had lunch in Washington, DC over the summer with Margaret Mattson ’69 and Marta (Graffy) Sparrow, PhD ’81.
Paula (Franklin) Staudt ’76 is very happy to be retired after working as a nurse for 42 years. She and husband, Eric, are enjoying time spent with their five grandchildren. Nancy (Larovere) Matteo ’79 has been promoted to President of Saint Andrew Catholic School in Newtown, PA. Nancy had previously served as the school’s principal for 16 years.
80s Gerry Fitzpatrick-Doria ’85 has returned home to Holy Family University as an Associate Pro-
90s Ray Zin ’90 has worked as an Integrated Logistics Analyst for Life Cycle Engineering (Dept. of Defense) for 24 years. He is also a member of Torresdale Boys and Girls Club, coaching various little league sports and running its annual golf tournament fundraiser.
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Photo: Ricky Haldis/Wise Owl Multimedia (Raichle)
Valerie (Carchidi) Corry ’67 and her husband, Wallace, reside in Williamstown, NJ.
fessor after serving as a teacher and administrator in K-12 education for over 30 years.
Andrea (Ward) McHugh ’92 works as a Critical Care RN in the Infant Intensive Care Unit at Temple University Hospital. She and her husband, Michael, have three children and live in Philadelphia. Maria (Margo) Van Pelt, PhD, CRNA ’92 was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in October 2019. Maria was named the Dean of the School of Nursing at Bouve College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Marc McQuillen ’93 works as a Capacity Assurance Coordinator for General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales in Charlotte, NC. John McCullough ’94 works as a General Manager of Nightingale Realty, LLC. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Southampton, PA. Miriam Ziegler ’95 is a Clinical Director of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Health System. She lives in Mount Laurel, NJ. Terry Malone, PhD ’96 is the Principal of Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA. He and his wife, Jennifer (Griffin) Malone ’96, live in West Chester, PA. Susan (Fratrick) Abtouche ’98 is a PhD Candidate in Eastern University’s Organizational Leadership program. She was chosen as a 2019 ARNOVA (Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action) Doctoral Fellow and attended the annual
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Jim Bennett ’82 attended the July 2019 wedding of Greg and Crystel Beerbower in Seattle, WA with Grace (Bennett) Wandling ’86, Maura (Bennett) Beerbower ’86, Joan Beerbower ’20, and Jeanne and Tom Beerbower.
conference in San Diego, CA in November. Mike Nichols ’98 was appointed Assistant Coach of Holy Family’s Women’s Basketball team under Head Coach Bernadette (Dickson) Laukaitis ’00. Mike and his wife, Patricia (Dickson) Nichols ’98, live in Bensalem, PA Karen Coyle ’99 is celebrating her 20th anniversary teaching at New Foundations Charter School. Andrew Murray ’99 is working as a Senior Director, Business Analytics at Hampton Products. He and his wife, Shannon (Walsh) Murray ’99, reside in Springdale, AR.
Kaitlin Slowey-Kirby ’13 and Mike Kirby ’09 are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Patrick.
00s Michelle Gerhardt, JD ’02 works as the Director of Merchandise Planning at David’s Bridal, Inc. in Conshohocken, PA. Charlesetta (Siefa) James ’02 is a Nurse Manager at Banner Health. She lives in Maricopa, AZ. Kelly (Hayes) Marascio ’02 works as a Clinical Supervisor of Autism Services. She and her husband, Patrick Bevenour ’97, live in Warminster, PA. Joyce McGlynn ’02 is Owner of Nova Consulting firm, which specializes in Human Resources Consulting. She and husband John live in New Hope, PA. Marianne (Welch) Salkind ’04, M’07 is the Co-Founder and President of Airmid Wellness and Counseling Center, LLC in Warminster, PA, which helps clients heal through a variety of mind-body therapies including yoga, talk therapy, and even equine therapies for veterans and their families. Ashley Dunek ’05 was featured on 98.1 WOGL as one of Marilyn Russell’s Remarkable Women. Ashley is a Special Events Coordinator and Assistant Publisher of JerseyMan Magazine, founded by her father, former Philadelphia Eagle Ken Dunek.
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Class Notes
Piotr Kopinski ’11 defended his doctoral thesis at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in July 2019. In attendance were many Holy Family friends and faculty members, as well as Sister Francesca Onley, CSFN, ’59, President Emeritus. From left to right: Dr. Stan Mauldin, Piotr Kopinski ’11, Dr. Stephen Medvec, Dustin Gremo ’07, Dr. Dian He, and Dr. Daniel Bassi.
Adrienne Gabriel ’07 is an accountant at Rivers Casino Philadelphia, formerly SugarHouse Casino. Jesse Krise ’08 works as a Software Project Manager in Reno, NV. Christopher Quinn ’08 is a Job Coach at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He also works as a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. Jayda Pugliese ’09, M’14 was selected by STEM Revolution to train teachers and principals in the United Arab Emirates in August 2019. Jayda received the 2016 Milken Educator Award and is currently the Principal of St. Mary Interparochial School in Philadelphia. Bernadette (Tighe) Stunder ’09 teaches psychology as an adjunct faculty member at Holy Family. She and her husband, Stephen, will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this Spring.
10s
Assistant Coaches of Holy Family’s Women’s Basketball team. Kristina (Amodei) Ulmer ’10 was recognized by local media for inspiring her students at HatboroHorsham High School to pay it forward with random acts of kindness. Ulmer created the “$20 Project” in memory of her sister, Katie Amodei. Emily (Sheridan) Wyatt ’10, M’12 married Robert Wyatt Jr. on June 1, 2019. Emily teaches Social Studies at Nazareth Academy High School. Catherine Carr ’11, former HFU women’s basketball All-American,
was selected to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Cat was also inducted to the University’s Hall of Fame in December 2019 with former Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike McLaughlin ’91, Allison Maddock ’01, Melissa Murphy ’03, and former Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dan Williams. Fr. Patrick Nyaga ’11 will be returning to his home country, Kenya. He had been serving as Parochial Administrator at St. Patrick’s Parish within the Diocese of Sacramento, CA. Del Brander ’12 is celebrating eight years with Vanguard in their Global Technology Operations department. Jonathan Clark ’12 works as the Director of Social Services at St. Francis & St. Vincent Homes, an agency of Catholic Social Services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He also owns Effective Interpersonal Counseling Services in Somerton, PA and is married to Jamie Clark ’07.
Jonathan S. Dick, OSFS ’13 professed his first vows of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in August 2019. Joining him on this special day were many Holy Family alumni and Fr. James MacNew, OSFS, Director of Campus Ministry, who concelebrated this special mass. From left to right: Tim O’Driscoll ’09, Ryan O’Driscoll ’13, Sam (Kiger) O’Driscoll ’13, Jenna Spadaccino ’13, Monica Castillo Meares ’13, Jon Dick ’13, Cara Przybylowicz ’13, Jerry Wutkowski ’13, Doug Ulrich ’13, and Sara Szymendera ’13.
Sheala Belte ’10 and Carolyne Heston ’14 were appointed
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Brittany (Schilling) Cloud ’13 is a Manager of Bio/Pharmaceutical Quality at Eurofins Lancaster Laboratory. Connie Flynn ’13, M’18 married Casey Smith on August 9, 2019. Connie teaches at Maternity B.V.M. Elementary School. Sandra Nixon-Fisher ’13 works as an Accounting Supervisor at Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington, DE. Kristen Boone ’15 is the Humanities Department Chair at Church Farm School in Exton, PA.
Kathleen (Kat) Salinel ’18 was honored in May 2019 with a national DAISY Award, for her extraordinary work as an ER Nurse at Chestnut Hill Hospital.
Lisè Brown ’15 works as the Population Health Program Coordinator at Abington Jefferson Health. She earned an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management in April 2019 and is engaged to be married in May 2020 in Las Vegas. Regina O’Brien ’15 is a doctoral candidate at Rutgers University, studying Food Science with a focus in Sensory Science. She recently received a $15,000
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Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Fellowship Award to research the effects of plant stressors on the taste and nutritional quality of baby leafy greens grown in a vertical indoor farm.
Sarah (Ambach) Schild, Esq. ’14 married Bill Schild at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky. Mackenzie (Bickes) Brossia ’13 served as a bridesmaid at the 2019 wedding. Sarah and Bill live in Waynesville, OH.
Bonnie (Boice) Whelan ’15 work as a Senior Documentation Analyst at NextGen Healthcare in Horsham, PA. She and husband, Vincent, live in Bensalem, PA. Tom High ’17 married Colleen LeFevre on June 29, 2019 in Havertown, PA. Tom works as a Financial Analyst for the School District of Philadelphia and the newlyweds live in Philadelphia. Lauren Kauffman ’17 works as a VP of Human Resources at Philadelphia Media Network. Gina (Ciallella) Morse ’17 is a Special Education Teacher within the School District of Philadelphia. Matt Hirst ’18 and colleagues at Bensalem Aquatic Club received the American Red Cross Lehigh Valley-Bucks Chapter’s Good Samaritan Award for saving the life of 14-year-old swimmer during a practice. Amber Nick ’18 secured her first classroom teaching job at MaST Community Charter School II within six months after getting her Master of Education degree from Holy Family. Kristina Delikat ’19 works as a Social Media Specialist, Administrative Assistant and Event Planner at The Cambridge School in Pennington, NJ.
Stephanie (Straka) Harkins ’19 works as a Registered Nurse at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ. Kyra Heiler ’19 accepted a teaching position with Teach For America and moved to Memphis, TN to teach elementary education. Kelly Kinyon ’19 works as an ICU Nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She and her husband, Zach Markgraf, live in Langhorne, PA. Meghan Rakus ’19 works as a 6th grade teacher at St. Mary Interparochial School.
In Memoriam
Acknowledging alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Holy Family University
Christine Sobocienska ’58 Joanne (Baumann) Connolly ’60 Regina (Convill) Tracy ’62 Janet (Szal) Million ’73 Dennis McDaniels ’05 Frank Doyle ’10 Michael McDonnell ’13
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Pen to Paper
Cardiovascular Diseases: Prevention and Control is Possible
By Mai-ly Pulley Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions
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David Pavlak
C
ardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for more deaths globally than any other disease. CVDs is a term that incorporates several heart and vessel disorders such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), dysrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm), and heart valve issues. According to the World Health Organization, over 17 million people died globally from CVDs in 2016, with over 14 million of those deaths resulting from heart attack and cerebrovascular accident (stroke). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 610,000 people die in America every year from CVDs. More than 730,000 people experience a heart attack annually, with 210,000 of those experiencing a recurrent heart attack. Most cardiovascular disorders and complications of CVDs can be treated, but not completely reversed. The key to preventing CVDs and the related complications is preventing the development of CVDs in the first place. Nurses play a huge role in identifying patients at risk for developing these issues. Several components have been identified as factors that increase a person’s risk of developing CVDs. Those risk factors are categorized as modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors, such as age (65 and older), gender (males), ethnicity (African American being the highest), and genetics and family history, cannot be changed. However, modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, inactivity, obesity, recreational drug usage, and excessive alcohol intake, can be changed to reduce the risk of CVDs. There are no symptoms of CVDs; however, there are signs and symptoms of diseases caused by CVDs. For example, heart attack or stroke may be the first symptom of CVDs. Symptoms of heart attack include chest discomfort, arm and jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and diaphoresis (cold sweat), while symptoms of stroke include unilateral weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking, sudden confusion, and severe headache. Preventing the development of CVDs is key in preventing complications, so identifying risk factors is imperitive. Most disorders caused by CVDs can be prevented by modifying highrisk behaviors. Yearly physicals can allow for early detection and management of health problems that could increase the risk of developing CVDs. Treatment could include medications, regular physical activity, dietary changes such as the reduction of salt and cholesterol and daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking cessation, avoiding recreational drugs, and limiting alcohol intake. While the risk of developing CVDs may not be completely To learn more visit eliminated, modifying aforementioned high-risk behaviors https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/ would severally decrease one’s risk of developing CVDs. how-to-help-prevent-heart-disease-at-any-age
Then & Now
Photos: Ed Ozalas/Lifetouch (bottom)
There’s a new mascot on campus at Holy Family! Blue, who was introduced on December 3, received a warm welcome from students and alumni during a basketball doubleheader. “At age 32, and with two degrees under his belt, it was time for the Tiger to join our very active alumni association,” said University President Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, PhD. A cadre of alumni who have previously sported the Tiger costume came out to celebrate the occasion, including: Stephen Schmidt ’90 (1st Mascot), Don Fitzwater ’91, (2nd Mascot and former HFU employee), Ken Gorski ’93 (3rd Mascot), Tim Hamill ’04, M’08, Julie (Ivers) Rempfer ’10, Nicole (Keller) Ulrich ’12, M’15, Ryan Keller ’17, and Ashley Beam ’18.
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Mark Your
CALENDAR January 2020
May 2020
6 Spring Semester Classes Begin 9 Alumni Board Open Meeting 20 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Student/Faculty/Staff Day of Service
February 2020
8 Admissions Saturday Tour Day 11 Great Day to be a Tiger (Charter Day)
March 2020 2-8 Spring Break
7 Tigers on the Loose 12 Phillies Night 18 Commencement
June 2020
4 Young Alumni Networking Event
August 2020 31 Fall Semester Classes Begin
September 2020
19 Alumni Axe Throwing at Mazhu Axes
23 Golf Classic
April 2020
October 2020
16 Class of 2020 Senior Class Legacy Campaign Pinning Ceremony and Reception
25 Alumni Reunion
3 Homecoming
November 2020
6 Alumni Quizzo Night at Maggie’s Dates Subject to Change