Fall 2009

FALL 2009

Saint Peter’s College

THE MagazInE of THE jESuIT coLLEgE of nEw jErSEY

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

SEcond courSE

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M E n a n d w o M E n f o r oT H E r S

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fLaSHbacK

FROM THE PRESIDENT Saint Peter’s College BUILDING A WINNING TEAM Great things can happen when you work together as a team.

Just look at our men’s basketball program. As our cover story tells us, talent, perseverance and a winning attitude have opened up new possibilities for the Peacocks and have vaulted them back into contention in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

And while we anticipate the Peacocks’ upcoming season, Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott is working hard to build winning programs across all of our Division I teams—as well as educating student-athletes to play a role

ADMINISTRATION Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. President Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78 Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning Rev. Michael L. Braden, S.J. Vice President for Mission and Ministry Michael A. Fazio, M.B.A. Vice President for Advancement Kenneth Payne, M.P.A. Vice President for Finance and Business Terence Peavy, M.S. Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing

in service to our community.

The same teamwork can be seen in many other successful efforts at Saint Peter’s College. In our pursuit of academic excellence, we continue to build a winning faculty and superior new programs.

Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Affairs Marylou Yam, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs

This fall we welcomed six talented new faculty members to our Jersey City and Englewood Cliffs campuses, including one of our most prestigious graduates, William A. Gutsch, Jr., Ph.D., ’67 who became our distinguished professor of arts and sciences.

And I’m proud to announce the establishment of The Saint Peter’s College School of Education.

This initiative raises the profile of our excellent undergraduate and graduate education programs while providing better opportunities for graduates.

This issue of the Saint Peter’s College magazine also highlights how teamwork with local corporations helps employees like Miguel Saez ’07 to advance his career by earning a graduate degree on-site.

Of course I can’t talk about teamwork without thanking our loyal alumni who continue to form our most important team—the one that supports all of our efforts with generosity, commitment and caring.

FALL 2009 SAINT PETER’S COLLEGE MAGAZINE Volume 29, Number 1 Editor Lorraine McConnell Executive Director of Public Relations and Publications Editorial & Design Services Erbach Communications Group Contributors & Editorial Assistance Jamie Bredehoft Ana M. Cravo Daniel Drutz Leah Leto ’05 Katie Reilly Frances Salvo ’02 Photography Jeffrey Vock Saint Peter’s College Archives Catherine Mernar SR Smith Sports Photography

Thank you again for all you do to help us compete and win.

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. President Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

Saint Peter’s College magazine is printed on an elemental chlorine-free paper containing 50 percent recycled content with 25 percent post-consumer waste. This is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.

FALL 2009

FEATURES 6.

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Trustee News Second Course Q&A The Sky’s the Limit Men and Women for Others Donors Who Make a Difference

DEPARTMENTS 2.

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On the Boulevard Peacock Blue Alumni News and Notes Flashback

HOW TO REACH US Alumni News and Notes Submit a note online at http://alumni.spc.edu or send it to: Office of Alumni Relations Cushing Alumni House 2641 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 Letter to the Editor E-mail: lmcconnell@spc.edu Editor, Saint Peter’s College magazine 2641 Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 Telephone: (201) 761-6240 Fax: (201) 761-6241 On the cover: The Peacock men’s basketball team and Coach John Dunne.

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ON THE BOULEVARD

WELCOMING THE CLASS OF 2013 On August 25, 590 new five foreign countries. In students began the acaa year when residential demic year at Saint life might have anticiPeter’s College. They pated a drop in numbers, come from as far as Nepal a robust 55 percent of and as near as the Jersey freshmen continue to City Heights. Some live on campus. members of the freshman Executive Director of class have even followed Admission a n d Enrolan older sibling to The lment Marketing Joe Jesuit College of New Giglio said, “I credit Jersey.

Magis residential grants “There are a lot of with helping to assure a opportunities here,” said vibrant college experience Mahum Hashmi ’13, for Saint Peter’s whose older sister, Barza students.”

Hashmi ’10, is a student To ensure the ambassador in the Pavo successful transition to Society and involved in college life, freshmen will many campus organizahave additional resources tions. Mahum, who was to draw on through the born and raised in Jersey First Year Experience City, is staying close to program. Matt Calvert, home to help the family who directed summer business, but plans on orientation, is now a full taking full advantage of time First Year campus life. “I want to Experience coordinator outdo my sister,” she said and will help provide a with a smile. “That’s my more seamless transition The Class of 2013. Clockwise from top left: Diego Mendoza ’13, David McClelland ’13, Stephanie for new students. “This goal.”

Phan ’13 and Mahum Hashmi ’13, who is seen here signing The Petrean Creed at Freshman Diego Mendoza ’13, Convocation. class year seems excited who hails from and energetic,” observed Porterville, Calif., is no stranger to Saint Peter’s either. His elder Calvert. “They seem more eager to get involved and belong to a brother, Noel Mendoza ’10, is a member of the men’s soccer community.” team. “It’s different here,” said the freshman, who describes his “I love it here,” said Stephanie Phan ’13, who commutes hometown as rural. He finds the personal feel of Saint Peter’s from Roselle Park, N.J. “It’s pretty diverse and there’s a lot to appealing. “For a Division I school it’s pretty small. You can get do.” Phan, who plans on majoring in computer science, has around so you don’t feel so lost.” already joined the Anime and Manga Club and the Asian David McClelland ’13 of Ridgefield, N.J., also appreciates American Student Union. the College’s brand of cura personalis. “The thing I like most Ariel Mercedes ’13 liked the fact that Saint Peter’s is located about Saint Peter’s is the curriculum,” said McClelland. “The in the metropolitan region. Raised in Providence, R.I., this first faculty really provides a hands-on experience.” He hopes to generation college student attended the Met School, an innovaenhance his education with internships in politics and governtive high school that fosters active participation in learning. With ment agencies in the metropolitan area. “There is so much plans to major in urban studies, he aims on taking full advantage opportunity in New York City,” added McClelland. “I would be of the College’s Cooperative Education and Internship program. remiss if I didn’t go to school here.”

He’s also been exploring Jersey City and New York City.

The geographic diversity of this year’s freshman class “Awesome” is how Mercedes describes the first few weeks at Saint continued to expand, with students representing 17 states and Peter’s. “I like it here a lot.”

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Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

ON THE BOULEVARD

UNIFIED IDENTITY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ESTABLISHED Education candidates at The Jesuit College of New Jersey just received a tremendous boost to their professional careers. Beginning this fall, 450 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the College’s education and teacher certification programs matriculated to a new School of Education.

The Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a School of Education earlier this year. Including the addition of the School of Education, Saint Peter’s is now comprised of four distinct academic entities: The College of Arts and Sciences/School of Business Administration, the School of Nursing and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

With expanded academic offerings such as Master of Arts degrees in Education with concentrations in school counseling and special education, the College is also poised to meet the growing education challenges in New Jersey.

“There is a greater demand for accountability now in New Jersey classrooms, where teachers are expected to do more with less resources,” noted College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “Saint Peter’s is proud not only to be part of a movement that is responding to societal needs, but to be molding our

students into responsible educators.”

“It’s an absolute plus for our graduates,” said Anthony Sciarrillo, Ed.S., J.D., director of the School of Education. “Organizing our programs into a School of Education gives us an identity and presence we didn’t have before. It enhances everything we do.”

According to administrators, the impact of the new school will be felt internally and externally. The admissions process for education programs will be more coordinated under the one school umbrella with students experiencing greater continuity as they progress from undergraduate to graduate programs. A unified identity also assures better communication and interface with the New Jersey Department of Education, school districts and other educational organizations.

Most importantly, establishing a formal School of Education raises awareness and visibility of Saint Peter’s, which in turn, helps graduates land competitive field placements, internships and permanent teaching positions. “It’s all about opening up opportunities for our graduates,” pointed out Dr. Sciarrillo.

Within the School of Education, Saint Peter’s offers a full spectrum of undergraduate, graduate and teacher certification programs.

HEAD START SUMMER SCHOLARS EXPERIENCE COLLEGE Fifty-two high school students from the metropolitan region received a head start on their college careers courtesy of Summer Scholars, an intensive academic program held at Saint Peter’s College from July 6 – August 6. Participants not only earned three college credits at a reduced tuition of $300, they also experienced a slice of Saint Peter’s life before beginning the college application process.

“It’s a great service to the community,” commented Associate Professor of English Rachel Wifall, Ph.D., who has directed Summer Scholars for three years. The curriculum is diverse; this year’s scholars had a choice of classes ranging from human genetics and forensic science to Shakespeare and a course that examined war and genocide though literature and historical analysis. Biology Department Chair Richard Petriello, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of History Jerome Gillen, Ph.D., team-taught a class that surveyed the impact of disease on civilization.

The forensic science class at Summer Scholars.

Scholars also met for weekly colloquiums, “because we want the students to learn what the other groups are doing and also to learn from one another,” explained Dr. Wifall. The Actors Shakespeare Company facilitated an interactive workshop on Hamlet one week, while Robert G. Lahita, M.D., Ph.D., ’67, chief of medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, lectured on “Diseases of the U.S. Presidents” the following week. Eugenie Mukeshimana, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide, also spoke to participants.

In addition to academic credit, the program provides the opportunity for rising high school seniors to become better acquainted with the College. “These students are very strong and are natural candidates for the Honors Program,” said Dr. Wifall, who recently assumed directorship of the program. For the 2009–2010 academic year, 51 freshmen undergraduates are enrolled in the Honors Program, which provides academic and intellectual enrichment to highly motivated students.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 3

GLOBAL OUTREACH HONDURAS IMMERSION TRIP IN ITS EIGHTH YEAR

WHAT’S ON MY I-POD? Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., has 722 songs on his iPod. Here are a few selections from the College president’s playlist: “As I Am” Alicia Keys “Canto della terra” Andrea Bocelli “Like a Rolling Stone” Bob Dylan “Fly Me to the Moon” Tony Bennett “You Don’t Know Me” Diana Krall and Ray Charles “Viva la Vida” Coldplay “A Love Supreme” John Coltrane Quartet

JoAnn Devany ’11 spent a portion of her summer forgoing hot showers and the Internet. She loved every minute of it.

A member of the Global Outreach (GO) Team, Devany is one of 14 individuals from the Saint Peter’s community that participated in a two-week immersion trip to Honduras, from May 19 – June 2. The trip marks the eighth year that Saint Peter’s took part in the program, organized under the auspices of the Campus Ministry Global Outreach Program.

A primary goal, according to Assistant Director of Campus Ministry Doug DeMeo, who has accompanied students on all eight trips, is cultural immersion. “Our expectation is not to change or transform the socio-economic living conditions, but to bear witness to the power of love in action,” he said.

In the midst of this year’s trip, GO Team members were staying with their host families in Guaymas when an earthquake struck. According to Devany, the event, while totally unexpected and a bit frightening, served to further bonds of friendship and community. “It was amazing to me,” she recalled. “The Hondurans were truly

GO Team members developed close relationships with Honduran host families.

concerned with making sure we were all okay.

They literally made us part of their family.”

Throughout the trip, 11 students and three administrators toured schools, orphanages and a drug rehabilitation center. In one visit to a rural community assisted by Heifer International, the group received a lesson on sustainability through the conversion of cow waste into biofuel.

The experience stays with participants long after graduation. Devany says she returned to the U.S. with a greater awareness of material consumption and is trying to “use less and live more simply.” With future plans that include applying to graduate school to become a pediatric physical therapist, Devany is also investigating a medical program that will allow her to work in a Honduran orphanage.

“I definitely want to go back,” she added. “I just fell in love with the people, the culture and the community.”

Fourteen members of the Saint Peter’s community traveled to Honduras last summer.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT DIGITAL BILLBOARD INSTALLED ON JERSEY CITY CAMPUS Saint Peter’s Jersey City campus received a major improvement at the start of the academic year: an LED digital billboard installed on the exterior of Dinneen Hall on the corner of John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Montgomery Avenue. As part of the College’s $5 million effort to enhance existing facilities, the billboard is a venue to promote Saint Peter’s news, programs and to screen video clips, artistic performances, distinguished lecturers, athletic games and other happenings.

“What we hope [the digital billboard] will do is spark a lot of interest in the College,” said College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “It’s free advertising on the boulevard, and the goal is to promote education and to build excitement and pride in Saint Peter’s.”

In addition to promoting Saint Peter’s, the College will also lend the billboard to local officials in the event that emergency information needs to be posted to the greater Jersey City community.

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Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

A new digital billboard promotes Saint Peter’s College.

ON THE BOULEVARD

CLEANER AND GREENER JERSEY CITY CAMPUS TO BE POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY Saint Peter’s College is on a mission to be cleaner and greener. Beginning January 1, 2010, the electricity generated for all buildings on the Saint Peter’s College Jersey City campus will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy for a minimum of one year.

Saint Peter’s will be the second private college in the state of New Jersey to use renewable energy as its sole source of electricity, which will be generated by 100% wind power.

“The purchase of renewable energy demonstrates Saint Peter’s commitment to sustainable strategy,” noted Saint Peter’s College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., who signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2008. “We look forward to identifying additional conservation opportunities and acquiring greener practices to support the College in its goal of carbon neutrality.”

By generating power with renewable energy, Saint Peter’s will displace an esti-

mated 3,065 metric tons of carbon dioxide through 2010, which is the equivalent of planting 2,761 acres of trees, or removing 7,697,000 miles of vehicle travel from the roadways.

The wind fuel that Saint Peter’s has acquired is Green-e® Certified Energy. The most reliable renewable energy certification organization in the United States, Green-e® certifies products that meet environmental and consumer protection standards, developed in conjunction with environmental, energy and policy organizations.

Saint Peter’s purchase of green energy is the result of working with R3 Energy of Tarrytown, N.Y., a provider of intelligent energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to various institutions, as well as ConEdison Solutions of White Plains, N.Y., which provides competitive power supply, renewable energy, sustainability services and cost-effective energy solutions to national and regional clients.

PAPAL HONOR BESTOWED ON FORMER COLLEGE PRESIDENT Many in the Saint Peter’s community know Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., as a Jesuit who goes above and beyond to help those in need. His dedication to others has not gone unnoticed. In June, his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI bestowed papal honors to 28 religious priests, brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Newark; among them was Father Glynn, who was honored with the Bene Merenti Medal for religious men and women.

Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J. “Bene Merenti” means “to a well-deserving person.” The award was instituted by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832 and is conferred on those who have exhibited long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church.

Newark Archbishop John J. Myers congratulated the honorees. “I am happy for these men and women,” he commented. “First, for their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their work and generosity, and second, for their goodness and loyalty to the Church.”

Father Glynn was Saint Peter’s College president from 1978–1990. After serving as president of John Carroll University, he returned to New Jersey to become founding president of Christ the King Preparatory School in Newark, a preparatory Catholic school serving economically disadvantaged young people that is part of the Cristo Rey network of schools.

The celebration of the papal awards was held on September 13 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J. The Archbishop called on the entire Archdiocese to “prayerfully celebrate the honors bestowed by the Holy Father and our union with him in faith.”

Employees of Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield can earn a Saint Peter’s degree in the workplace.

ON SITE CORPORATE WORKSITE PROGRAM OFFERED Maureen Boccardi ’09 earned an M.B.A. from Saint Peter’s College by attending classes just one floor below where she works at Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Newark, N.J. Through a Corporate Worksite Program offered by the Graduate School of Business and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Saint Peter’s brought the classroom to her place of business.

The program is part of a larger effort to make higher education more accessible to adult students like Boccardi, who want to further their education but have to juggle full-time careers and numerous professional and personal demands. In addition to Horizon, Saint Peter’s offers accredited degree programs to employees at Newark International Airport, as well as programs on the Jersey City waterfront and Englewood Cliffs.

Classes for both graduate and undergraduate degrees are taught by a Saint Peter’s professor on a training floor on weekdays, immediately after the workday ends. “It was just very convenient,” said Boccardi. “You didn’t have to worry about the traffic getting there.”

Horizon’s program allows for its employees to take up to four classes a year, working toward either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Studying alongside colleagues, Boccardi found the program was good for networking as well. She also encourages others to complete their degrees.

“It’s just a good competitive edge to have,” she said. “When people finish their bachelor’s degrees I just tell them, ‘don’t stop, go for your graduate degree.’”

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TRUSTEE NEWS

ON BOARD Saint Peter’s College recently appointed seven graduates and one Jesuit to the Board of Trustees. The newly-named trustees will serve three-year terms, except recent graduate Christopher DePizzo ’09, who will serve for one year. The new trustees are:

ANNETTE D. CORBIN ’84

ROBERT J. GOLDSTEIN ’60, ’06

FRANCIS A. MCGRAIL ’79

Annette D. Corbin ’84 is thrilled to assume a leadership role for her alma mater.

“Saint Peter’s is still the same in many ways,” the new trustee noted. “But its growth has been phenomenal. It’s great to see how the College has evolved.”

The owner and partner of Madison Consulting Group, Corbin also serves as the firm’s chief financial and administrative officer. Corbin holds a B.A. in economics and political science from Saint Peter’s College and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. A former member of the Board of Regents, she is married to Peter Francis Corbin and has two daughters, Kaitlin and Caroline. She resides in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Robert J. Goldstein ’60, ’06 is president of R. J. Goldstein & Associates, a firm offering innovative solutions in employee benefits consulting and insurance brokerage services. A former chairman of the Saint Peter’s College Board of Regents, he is also an active member of the Students at the Center Campaign Steering Committee and the Athletic Committee.

He received a B.S. in mathematics from Saint Peter’s College in 1960 and later returned for an M.B.A., which he earned in 2006. He and his wife, Marion, have five children and 13 grandchildren and reside in Montclair, N.J.

Francis A. McGrail ’79 has had a long and successful career in finance. He is currently regional executive and managing director for Deutsche Bank Alex.Brown Brokerage Services. Prior to that he served with UBS Wealth Management for 25 years and in his most recent role as managing director in Boston, Mass., managed 80 employees and $5 billion in assets.

A former member of the Board of Regents, McGrail holds a B.A. in political science from Saint Peter’s College. He splits his time between Rumson, N.J. and Boston with his wife, Helen, and their three children, Robert, Francis and Carolyn.

REV. JOHN WRYNN, S.J. Rev. John Wrynn, S.J., has been a familiar face at Saint Peter’s College since he joined the College in 1974. Since then, he has served as a history professor and in various administrative roles at the College and with the Jesuit community. A past rector of the Jesuit community, he resumed that role again last spring after the passing of Rev. Edward Heavey, S.J. Father Wrynn also served as a trustee from 1988–1994 and from 1996–1998. Father Wrynn holds a B.A. in history, as well as an M.A. in modern European history, from Fordham University. He also has the distinction of being awarded a doctor of letters degree from the University of Amsterdam for his published works and research.

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PAMELA MILLER, ESQ. ’77

KATHLEEN A. TYRRELL, ESQ. ’73

ANTHONY O. PERGOLA, ESQ. ’92

For Pamela Miller, Esq. ’77, giving back to the College as a trustee is a natural extension of the lessons she learned about service as a Saint Peter’s student. Miller, a vice president of market strategy and development for Medco Health Solutions, Inc., credits the College’s emphasis on service, ethics and professionalism for her success.

“Jesuit education, above all else, emphasizes critical thinking, intellectual challenge, honesty and the highest standards of ethics in all you do against a context of discipline, service, compassion and responsiveness to human need and individual responsibility,” Miller explained.

A former member of the Board of Regents and a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, she holds a B.S. in natural science from Saint Peter’s College, an M.P.A. in health policy, planning and administration from New York University and a J.D. from the Seton Hall University School of Law. She resides in Hackensack, N.J. with her husband, Christian L. Tonnet, and their two children, Yemisi and Shymore.

Kathleen A. Tyrrell, Esq. ’73 brings a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees. The Gannon Debating Society coach for the past three years, she’s witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact that mentoring has had on the students she encounters. As a trustee, she hopes to encourage more alumni to become directly involved with Saint Peter’s students through mentoring programs and other partnerships. “I’ve become very reattached to the College,” said Tyrrell. “I had no idea how much I would enjoy this and how wonderful the students are.”

A seasoned attorney, Tyrrell practiced commercial law for a number of years and represented pro bono clients. In addition to her coaching duties at Saint Peter’s, she continues to take on pro bono cases. She holds a B.A. in political science from Saint Peter’s College, and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. A former member of the Board of Regents, she is married to James E. Tyrrell, Esq. and has two grown sons. They reside in Essex Fells, N.J.

Anthony O. Pergola, Esq. ’92 says he owes a great deal of gratitude to Saint Peter’s College. “I was privileged to have received a substantial academic scholarship throughout my four years as a student,” Pergola said. “I will spend the rest of my life gladly repaying those scholarships as many times over as I can.”

Pergola is the vice chair and co-founder of Lowenstein Sandler’s Tech Group. He assists emerging, growth and later-stage technology businesses, as well as the venture funds that finance them in venture capital investments.

A summa cum laude graduate of Saint Peter’s College with a B.A. in political science, Pergola went on to receive his J.D. from Harvard Law School cum laude. He is a former member of the Board of Regents.

He and his wife, Maureen Pergola ’94, have two sons, Anthony and Mark, and reside in Berkeley Heights, N.J.

CHRISTOPHER J. DEPIZZO ’09 Recent Saint Peter’s College graduate and University of Pennsylvania Law School student Christopher DePizzo ’09 has a demanding year ahead of him. But he’s never too busy to lend his time and talents to Saint Peter’s. “The Saint Peter’s College family has given me so much over the past four years,” he said. “I will always be willing to donate my time and energy to help better my alma mater.”

DePizzo graduated summa cum laude in May with a B.A. in political science from Saint Peter’s College. As an undergraduate, he received numerous academic awards and was a member of four honor societies. DePizzo has also worked as a paralegal and records clerk at Patton Boggs, LLP in Newark, N.J. Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 7

8 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

ACADEMIC FEATURE

SECOND COURSE For Jean DeSimone, Esq. ’99, Miguel Saez ’07 and Barbara Onove ’08, graduate education at The Jesuit College of New Jersey led to better opportunities, more satisfying careers and the chance to make a real impact in the communities where they work.

CARPE DIEM Seizing the opportunity to move from courtroom to sixth grade classroom Jean DeSimone, Esq. ’99 keeps a Carpe Diem magnet on her classroom file cabinet at the Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken, N.J. The phrase, Latin for “Seize the Day,” reminds DeSimone’s sixth grade students to embrace new challenges, but is also an apt description of this Saint Peter’s alumna’s somewhat surprising career path. A decade ago, DeSimone was a corporate attorney trying cases for a Wall Street law firm servicing large insurance companies. Today, she leads fetal pig dissections and helps her 11- and 12-year-old charges craft their first persuasive essays.

“Law was a fantastic experience and I’m so glad I did it,” explained DeSimone, who was on track to becoming partner when she began having second thoughts about devoting her entire working career to litigation and briefs. “It’s a very adversarial system. And that constant adversarial mindset of arguing and negotiating can be very wearing.”

Having worked with children as a tutor and camp counselor, the attorney wanted to give teaching a try and enrolled in the 36credit master’s and teaching certification program at Saint Peter’s College. “I really didn’t sleep,” recalled DeSimone, who continued to work 40 hours a week at her law firm, attended education classes at night and completed course assignments on the weekend. “It was a crazy, crazy time. But, overall, the experience was very good. I received all the support I needed—the

professors were very helpful and understanding.”

One of DeSimone’s professors, Joseph McLaughlin, Ed.D., ’77, who is now a professor in the Department of Sociology and Urban Studies, steered her to a student teaching position at Stevens Cooperative. Things quickly fell into place once DeSimone completed the student teaching assignment at the progressive elementary school and became head teacher of the sixth grade. It’s a position in which she’s flourished for the past 10 years. In addition to the close relationships she has formed with the more than 150 students she’s taught, DeSimone also initiated and developed a highly successful peer mentoring program between the school’s lower and middle school students.

“Living and breathing life at Stevens for 10 years means that Jean understands the roles and expectations of each grade in school,” commented Zoë Hauser, head of school at Stevens Cooperative. “Her awareness of the need to bolster middle school students’ self esteem and sense of responsibility led her to initiate the Mentoring Program, where we’ve found that mentees frequently stay in touch with their mentors long after the student has moved on to high school—proof that the program is both needed and valued.”

Colleagues also marvel at the natural rapport DeSimone has developed with her sixth grade students and the tremendous energy she brings to the job. “I’m still excited to come to work every day,” laughed DeSimone. “Developing relationships with the students, understanding who they are and helping to guide them is a daily process. I love it.”

Jean DeSimone ’99 teaches her sixth grade class at the Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken.

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GAINING EXPOSURE Specialization leads to a new career path By enrolling in the graduate business program at Saint Peter’s College, Miguel Saez ’07 killed two birds with one stone. “In today’s economic environment, it’s become evident to financial professionals that we need to distinguish ourselves from our peers,” said Saez, who earned both M.B.A. and M.S. degrees from Saint Peter’s. The degrees also enabled this alumnus, an employee of Citigroup since 2003, to switch successfully from banking and brokerage operations to risk management.

Saez’s original intention was to obtain a general M.B.A. though the graduate program offered on-site at Citibank through Saint Peter’s. One year into the program, Jack Hampton, Ph.D., KPMG Professor of Business and director of graduate business programs, came on board and revamped the curriculum. “[Dr. Hampton] immediately introduced a risk management component and he didn’t just teach it—he lived and breathed it daily,” said Saez. “It was a strong influence on my career path.”

Miguel Saez ’07 is an associate vice president for risk management at Citigroup.

10 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

Inspired by the real-life experience and passion that Dr. Hampton brought to the classroom, Saez elected to pursue a career in risk management himself. Today, he is an associate vice president for risk management at Citi, where his areas of responsibility include information security, business continuity and controls. When asked how graduate education impacted his career, Saez responded, “Personally, I’ve gained more exposure. As an oper-

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“THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE EDUCATION I

HAS AFFORDED ME OPPORTUNITIES THAT I OTHERWISE

RECEIVED

WOULD NOT HAVE HAD.”

ations manager I had a team, but I was more isolated. Now I have an opportunity to work with senior business leaders on a regular basis on risk management issues.”

The hands-on nature of the M.B.A. program and numerous team assignments also helped Saez become more comfortable giving public presentations, a crucial component of his job.

The alumnus strongly recommends the program at Saint Peter’s to professionals seeking M.B.A. degrees. “Saint Peter’s has really developed its program,” he noted. “The course offerings are vast and the program is flexible in order to meet your personal and professional demands.” Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate studies or are planning to attend school while working full time, he explained, “Saint Peter’s program will fit your needs—both personally and financially. There is no question that the education I received has afforded me opportunities that I otherwise would not have had.”

ACADEMIC FEATURE

NEVER TOO LATE Achieving a long-held dream and challenging new career

[

Barbara Onove ’08 is living proof that it’s never too late to make “ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS IN LIFE IS TO BE ABLE TO a meaningful career change. “I always had the desire to be a nurse, CARE FOR ANOTHER PERSON IN but I lacked the confidence,” explained Onove, who earned a Master of Science in nursing from Saint Peter’s, as well as the proNEED... IF I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I’M GOING TO DO IT.” gram’s prestigious M.S.N. Medal.

Onove was 36 when she began working toward her nursing career. Prior to that she spent 16 years working in recreation The treatments are harsh, and recovery is a long and complicated therapy and administration at a senior care facility, where she process marred by many setbacks.” But although her job is someworked closely with a nurse enrolled in the M.S.N. program at times disheartening, the alumna maintains that it is a privilege to Saint Peter’s. be an R.N., especially an oncology and hospice nurse. “One of the Determined to follow her dream, Onove enrolled in the greatest honors in life is to be able to care for another person in nursing program at Bergen Community College, graduating first their time of need,” said Onove. “The formation of caring relain her class in 2002. She began graduate coursework at the Saint tionships with my patients and their families helps to enhance Peter’s Englewood Cliffs campus in 2004 and spent four years health and healing. Life is difficult enough, so if I can make a researching the aspects of the nursing field that most appealed to difference, I’m going to do it.” her, including oncology and hospice/palliative care. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” she remarked. “Saint Peter’s helped me define my priorities and has enabled me to help my patients and their families.”

“What I loved so much about Saint Peter’s, besides the excellent faculty and individualized attention, was the fact that the instructors encouraged me to focus on my areas of interest for all my papers and presentations,” Onove commented. “By encouraging me to conduct research in the specifics of my field of practice, my professors at Saint Peter’s helped me to develop an appreciation for my nursing specialties.”

Today, Onove serves as a registered nurse in the inpatient oncology/ hematology unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. The challenges of helping cancer patients, she explains, are physical, emotional and spiritual. “The effects of hearing the word ‘cancer’ are devastating and far-reaching,” she said. “Patients and their families are scared and often looking for answers and explanations. Barbara Onove ’08 has a new career as an R.N. at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 11

BRINGING THE UNIVERSE DOWN TO EARTH Astronomer. Writer. Producer. Director.

Inventor and Consultant. William Gutsch, Jr., Ph.D., ’67, former chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium is equally at home working in observatories as he is serving as editor, producer and reporter on national news broadcasts or creating science programs on sound stages in Hollywood.

Now, he’s back at Saint Peter’s College.

When did you first become interested in science?

I was about seven years old, I guess. My father and I would take some personal time on Saturdays and I could sit down and ask him questions about anything. One day I asked him if there’s life on other planets and he said: ‘I don’t know anything about space, let’s find out.’ Goodness knows why the bug bit, but it did. The interest stayed and I became an astronomer.

Part of your work has been to create children’s programs for museums and science centers. How did that come about?

When I took on the chairmanship of the American MuseumHayden Planetarium, I was a little surprised to see that the planetarium did not offer any programming for pre-school aged children. I had worked at the Rochester Museum & Science Center and found that if you do pre-school programs in the right way, they can be very successful. Through the good graces of one of my board members, I got to meet Sharon Lerner, who at the time was creative vice president at the Children’s Television Workshop, and through her, I worked with Jim Henson and Frank Oz to create a program about the sky with the Sesame Street Muppets.

FEATURE QUESTION

AND ANSWER That experience opened me up to the realization that I could work with truly award-winning people for the purpose of popularizing and educating in science. From that came the chutzpah to get in touch with Lucasfilms for a program using “Star Wars” droids R2D2 and C-3PO to talk about space probes and satellites, and following that, the licensors of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? I could ask and they could say no, but they didn’t. No one has ever said no. How cool is that?

But most of your science center related work has been for general audiences.

Yes, I was proud to win an award last year from NASA for a program I wrote and produced for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Cassini Mission to Saturn. I’ve also produced numerous live concerts, and I’ve consulted on equipment and exhibits and produced shows for science centers from the U.S. and Canada to Spain, Japan, Thailand and Bangladesh.

Looking at your body of work, it’s obvious you have a gift for helping people understand very complex ideas about the universe. Where does that come from?

I think that’s the job of the teacher and the popularizer to do that —to put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re talking to who maybe doesn’t know a lot about that. Astronomy and astrophysics are particularly challenging in that it’s rather esoteric stuff. We deal in very unusual phenomena, things that are not part of everyday life, from nebulas and black holes to distances that are so large they really are unimaginable to scientists as much as nonscientists. It’s challenging to bring the universe down to earth, but that’s the job.

Why do you feel it is important for us to better understand the universe?

Astronomy is wonderfully impractical. And yet, we are bits of the universe that can contemplate the universe. Most of us will undoubtedly live our entire lives on this planet. Our everyday experience is that our Earth is big. Yet, if you step back from it and “take a long walk” out into space and turn around and look back, you realize how incredibly tiny this planet really is. And how tiny it is compared to the whole. The universe is incredibly big and complex, and we have the ability as humans to understand that— to reach out—and comprehend it. And I think as thinking creatures with that capability, we owe it to ourselves to do that.

Can you describe your new appointment at Saint Peter’s College?

I am very fortunate in that they’ve made me a distinguished professor of arts and sciences. Part of that means I have the opportunity to teach in different departments. I’ll be teaching a course in astro-archeology in conjunction with Dr. David Surrey, who is the chair of the Department of Sociology and Urban Studies—we’re going to explore early civilizations and the cosmic

connections that were very much a part of their existences. But I’m also teaching a course in the Department of Communication in production and post-production for film and video that will utilize my more than 25 years of experience in those fields.

I’ve also been appointed an advancement officer of the College and, as part of those duties, I’ll be leading a tour of Italy for our alumni next spring. This was one of the things I did when I was at the American Museum of Natural History—leading members and taking part in lecture tours to six continents. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for alumni to explore the country, have a great time and interact with faculty and administration at the College.

[

“THIS FULL-TIME RETURN TO SAINT PETER’S IS

WONDERFUL FOR MANY REASONS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT IT MEANS COMING FULL CIRCLE.”

In short, your job is very interdisciplinary and multi-faceted.

It is, because my life has been that way—a reflection of what a Jesuit education is all about. And I get to share all of this, which is really wonderful. By the same token, I know that I’m going to be learning a great deal, not only from my fellow faculty and administrators, but from the students too. They are going to teach me a lot, especially about how the world works these days.

How does it feel to be back where your undergraduate career began?

It feels great. I haven’t been a stranger in the sense that I’ve been honored to accept invitations from the College to do an occasional lecture. This full-time return to Saint Peter’s is wonderful for many reasons including the fact that it means coming full circle. There’s a lot about this that feels good. I’m smiling because it’s really cool.

Whoever is writing the script is writing a good script.

In addition to being a distinguished professor of arts and sciences, Dr. William A. Gutsch, Jr., ’67 serves as co-director of the PARSE Institute and advancement officer at Saint Peter’s College. A science educator, he is the former chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium, president and CEO of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, syndicated columnist for Gannett newspapers, science editor for WABC-TV, science correspondent for ABC News and has also written and appeared in programs for PBS, NBC, CNN, The Learning Channel and NASA-TV.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 13

THE SKY’S TH

E LIMIT

HOw HigH CaN THE PEaCOCkS gO THiS SEaSON?

after winning five consecutive conference games and posting 11 overall victories last season (the first time either has happened since 2006), Saint Peter’s Head Basketball Coach John Dunne finds his team facing the highest expectations of his young tenure.

and he likes it.

Pictured left to right: Ryan Bacon ’11, Nick Leon ’11, Wesley Jenkins ’11 and Jordan Costner ’11.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 15

COVER STORY

hose who follow Peacock basketball closely note that for the first time in many years, there’s real depth on the team. Five impressive recruits (see sidebar page 17) are being added to a roster that already includes the team’s three returning top scorers—Wesley Jenkins (15.7 ppg), Nick Leon (15.1 ppg) and Ryan Bacon (11.5 ppg)—a trio Dunne is counting on to take leadership roles.

“It’s a time to be excited about the future, but there has to be a level of patience,” said Dunne. “Whenever you add five new players to a team, that team has to find its own way.”

T

CORE OF LEADERSHIP “Wesley is very quiet but always does everything right,” said Dunne. “He’s always where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. He is the perfect leader by example and I can’t say enough about him.” Leon, he points out, is really developing into a point guard after starting his Peacock career as a shooter. “Nick has embraced the leadership role, especially down the stretch last year. And Ryan has a very good work ethic. There’s never a day in practice when he gives less than 100 percent consistently.”

Players, too, feel the shift as they prepare to open this season playing Big East foe Seton Hall on November 13 at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“This is a whole different team than three years ago,” said Jenkins. “There is better team chemistry now, and we ended up playing harder throughout the entire game last season. The key to winning is playing together. If we pick up on the defensive end, we can go a long way.”

Jenkins, Leon, Bacon and forward Jordan Costner, will spearhead the team’s effort to reach the upper echelon of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), no easy task this season.

Defending champion Siena returns with a

Forward Ryan Bacon ’11 is one of the team’s top three returning scorers.

lot of talent, as does Niagara with four starters coming back, and Rider returns with arguably the league’s best player, Ryan Thompson.

TURNING A CORNER Dunne points to a key game last season that could be viewed as a major turning point for the program. “Last year we had a slow start, but at Iona we were down 10 points late and came back for the win in the middle of the season.”

Things clicked from there and the team matured. “We figured out what it took to win, to stay close and to give ourselves a chance,” continued Dunne.

“Anything can happen then. Once we got that Iona win, we lost two, but then we won five in a row. We were making the right plays, the selfless plays. We executed and really followed the defensive game plan. Hopefully, that translates positively into this season.”

The marked improvements in the team’s fortunes are being noticed. Richard J. Ensor ’75, commissioner of the MAAC, has watched the program begin the long road back to prominence. “John took over in a tough time when the national spotlight that had been shone on the program while

Keydren Clark played went away with his graduation,” noted Ensor. He goes on to credit Dunne for rebuilding the program.

“Combined with the leadership and vision of the College’s athletic director, Pat Elliott, and the support of President Cornacchia, I think John has the program competitive.

Now they need to win consistently.”

THE NEXT LEVEL Doing that requires more than just talent, and Elliott says that in terms of resources, Saint Peter’s is not that far away to get it

going again in the MAAC. “One of the important things is that we identify and bring quality student-athletes into the program. That is what’s going to get us to the next level,” said Elliott. “And that’s what Coach Dunne has been able to do.”

While the Peacocks were the thirdyoungest Division I team in the country last season, Elliott says they’ve grown up with a core of juniors. “All of a sudden now we’re a more mature team. What we’re looking for is to continue to be more competitive and take that next step in winning more games.”

The task of building team chemistry with so many new players, plus an always challenging MAAC schedule, leaves Dunne preaching patience to Peacock fans for the upcoming season. “I think the end result will be a much better team, but it might not happen right away,” he said. “One thing I’m going to try to get through to the team is that we can’t overestimate how good we are. We can’t think that we’ve already arrived just because we have more talent and we won games at the end of last year.

At the same time, we can’t underestimate how good we can be. If we put the work in, the sky’s the limit.”

Point guard Nick Leon ’11.

WINNING STRATEGY

consistent with effort and energy, but as far as talent goes, he could possibly be one of the more talented guys in the league. A tweener between small and power forward, he has a chance to put points on the board and be a human highlight kind of guy.”

Peacocks rebuild with local recruits

Darius Conley, 6’7” Power forward. “He should be an impact guy right away. Darius is the kind of player who, in our league, usually has a lot of success. He’s a big physical presence who can score inside and step outside a bit.”

When John Dunne became head men’s basketball coach in 2006, his strategy was to recruit talent from the metropolitan Head Coach John Dunne region. “If you are going to have success, and I don’t care what level program you are at across the country, you have to have local success in recruiting,” he said. “You want to branch out geographically too, but at the end of the day to have long-term sustainable success, I think you have to do it locally.” Here are his thoughts on five new players suiting up for the 2009–2010 season: Jeron Beilin, 6’6” Forward. “Jeron was the New York state junior college player of the year. He has to get accustomed to being

Yvon Raymond, 6’3” Wing player. “Yvon should be a very good defender right away. He can finish with both hands when he gets to the basket.”

Steven Samuels, 6’4” Combo guard. “His high school won the state championship and he is used to winning. He is very good in open court with the ball in his hands.”

Jamin Shumate, 6’7” Forward. “He was from a successful high school program at Saint Patrick’s in Elizabeth who has good hands and can be a strong inside player.”

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 17

PEACOCK

BLUE HOOPS BONANZA ESPN TO AIR PEACOCKS’ HOME OPENER Note to Peacock fans: you’ll want to pack an extra-large thermos of coffee if you don’t want to miss this season’s home opener against Monmouth University on November 17 at 6:00 a.m. The early morning game will be broadcast by ESPN as part of the network’s College Basketball Tip-Off Marathon.

Saint Peter’s is one of 24 colleges representing 14 different conferences that will play 12 games over a 24-hour period.

According to the College’s Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director Dan Drutz, it’s the first time the ESPN marathon will feature two NCAA teams in the eastern time zone (ET) playing a 6:00 a.m. game.

“Saint Peter’s College is extremely honored to be a part of ESPN’s programming and to be chosen to play in this historic game,”

[

“THIS GAME WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SHOWCASE THE TRADITION OF SAINT PETER’S COLLEGE AND OUR MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM ON A GLOBAL LEVEL.”

said Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott. “This game will give us the opportunity to showcase the tradition of Saint Peter’s College and our men’s basketball program on a global level.”

The Saint Peter’s Jersey City campus is gearing up for this major event. Plans for festivities and activities to engage students and others are in the works. The marathon will air on ESPN and ESPN360.com. To view the complete schedule, visit espn.com.

PEACOCK NATION IS GROWING You don’t have to run a four-minute mile in order to join Peacock Nation, or be able to score a soccer goal from midfield. Alumni, friends and those who root for Saint Peter’s teams can all be a part of a campus-wide effort to heighten school spirit and promote the College’s Division I athletic programs when they become members of this newly-formed booster club.

“When the student body launched Peacock Nation last year, we saw an opportunity to extend the group to include alumni,” said Vice President for Advancement Michael A. Fazio. “VISION 2015, the strategic plan for Saint Peter’s College, calls for an invigorated emphasis on athletic

18 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

and academic achievement, and joining Peacock Nation is a meaningful way for alumni and friends to foster the talents of student-athletes.”

“Our hope is that more and more alumni will fill the stands, and support our teams financially as well,” added Fazio. “In my experience, athletics programs that benefit from alumni support succeed more often than those that do not.”

Gifts of $50 or more may be directed to any of the College’s 19 intercollegiate athletic programs or the general athletic fund.

With seven giving levels, contributions will be used to provide financial assistance, sponsor team travel, supply equipment and underwrite other initiatives that support student-athlete success.

Booster club members can wear their “Peacock Pride” with benefits ranging from lapel pins and t-shirts, or attend post game receptions.

In some cases, donors will receive preferred courtside seating or meet one-on-one with head coaches or Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott.

To make a gift to Peacock Nation, contact the Office of Advancement at (201) 761-7611, or visit spc.edu/peacocknation.

SAINT PETER’S ATHLETICS

A BOOST FOR SAINT PETER’S ATHLETICS As part of its effort to promote athletics and build the College’s Division I brand, Saint Peter’s has retained Positive Impact Partners, a sports marketing firm that works with the Northeast region’s top companies, teams and organizations.

“The hope is that by increasing awareness of our outstanding athletes and coaches and by encouraging more fan participation, Peacock athletics will play a more important role in contributing to the sense of spirit and community pride at Saint Peter’s College,” explained Keith Meyers, senior vice president of Positive Impact Partners. “There is a very strong underlying sense of pride in Saint Peter’s NCAA Division I status, and that status distinguishes it among its local and regional competitive institutions.”

Lebongang Pila ’11.

TIME OUT WITH STEPHANIE DEWOLFE ’97 Jersey City is about as different from Defiance, Ohio, as you can get. That’s what drew midwesterner Stephanie DeWolfe ’97 to Saint Peter’s College 16 years ago, and it’s also one of the reasons she remains.

“I just had a great experience at the College,” recalled DeWolfe, who begins her sixth season as head coach of the women’s basketball team this fall. “From my relationships with professors and coaches to the family-like environment, it really was ‘Education. One Student at a Time,’ for me.”

A standout student-athlete, DeWolfe balanced a double major in education and history while playing starting point guard for four years. Team captain for three years, she was instrumental in leading the Peahens to three straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season titles and advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 1997.

Coaching, she maintains, was not on the radar screen until then–Head Coach Mike Granelli ’84 offered her an assistant coaching position upon graduation.

DeWolfe accepted the offer and hasn’t looked back. “Every class that comes in, you Head women’s basketball coach Stephanie DeWolfe ’97 want to stay and see them graduate,” she said.

Named Peahens head coach in 2004, the alumna, who was inducted into the Saint Peter’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, describes her coaching philosophy as holistic.

“The things we spend a lot of time on, you might never see on the court,” she explained, noting that the role can range from making sure student-athletes are doing well in class to helping them work through personal issues. “We really recognize the need for players to be regular students, to make mistakes and learn valuable lessons from those experiences.”

Finishing the 2008–2009 season 13–15 overall and 10–8 in conference play, DeWolfe expects to see more sophomore and junior players step up this season.

“The MAAC gets more challenging and competitive each year,” she noted. “Expect to see us play hard, like we do every game. We’ve really been building a program that can compete year in and year out.”

Assisting DeWolfe in this effort are assistant coaches Khalisha Lewis ’06 and Samera Marsh ’08. “It’s great to be able to give alumni this opportunity, but it also makes a lot of sense,” she said. “They have a love for the College and the program.

As alumni, they represent Saint Peter’s well, whether it’s on the court or recruiting a potential student-athlete.”

DeWolfe is married to Maj. Amro Mohammed, U.S.M.C. ’98. The couple has an infant daughter and resides in North Plainfield, N.J.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 19

CHAMPIONS Saint Peter’s College athletes are big-time heroes when it comes to helping others through service projects in the local community.

C

HALLENGES are nothing new to the Saint Peter’s College swimming and diving team.

After all, balancing intense training with demanding coursework is all part of the big picture when you sign on to compete in Division I college sports.

But the student-athletes develop a new appreciation for overcoming challenges when they participate as volunteer coaches for Lightning Wheels, a competitive athletic program for physically challenged kids sponsored by Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J. Twice a year, members of the College’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving team donate their time to help Lightning Wheels athletes—who compete in local, national and international competitions—improve their swimming skills.

While the volunteer work provides a big boost to the Lightning Wheels swimmers, it’s really a two-way street. The younger swimmers learn to refine things 20

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

like stroke technique, breathing, starts and turns. In return, the Saint Peter’s students gain respect for the courage, skill and determination of the physically challenged athletes.

Saint Peter’s has provided volunteer coaching to the group for the past five seasons. Up to three Saint Peter’s swimmers work with a single Lightning Wheels swimmer—most of whom have no use of their legs—to provide a more intense level of coaching.

“I honestly feel that our studentathletes benefit more than the children we’re helping,” said Tom Romano, head coach of the swimming and diving team.

“Initially it can be hard to get people involved in community service. But once they get involved, they feel so good about what they did. You can’t stop them after that.”

“This makes a huge difference in how both groups develop,” noted Trisha Yurachko, Lightning Wheels coach and marketing coordinator of Children’s Specialized Hospital. “The Saint Peter’s

group learns that my athletes are regular kids. My kids get tremendous support and the extra hands are always helpful. And obviously, if they’re better swimmers they feel better about themselves.”

Saint Peter’s swimmers are among a large group of student-athletes at the College who donate their time to help others as part of the Jesuit motto “Men and Women for Others.” Student-athletes participate in a wide variety of service projects, from raising money to fight breast cancer to spearheading Toys for Tots drives and boosting the spirits of hospitalized youngsters.

Tara Wuorinen, Saint Peter’s academic/athletic coordinator, says the College is working to develop a culture where student-athletes are encouraged to participate in community service.

Despite their tough schedules, which often involve traveling to out-of-state competitions, “the student-athletes really do get involved,” said Wuorinen. “Once they start getting involved, they really love it.”

MEN AND WOMEN

FOR OTHERS

FOR A CAUSE

[

“I HONESTLY FEEL THAT OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES BENEFIT MORE THAN THE CHILDREN WE’RE HELPING...ONCE THEY GET INVOLVED, THEY

FEEL SO

GOOD ABOUT WHAT THEY DID. YOU CAN’T STOP THEM AFTER THAT.”

Sometimes the student-athletes develop their own ideas for service projects, which are often carried out through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a steering group of Saint Peter’s studentathletes who address issues and organize service projects.

Other times, they lend a helping hand to College-wide projects, such as the annual Toys for Tots campaign sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry.

The men’s soccer team spends lots of time selling t-shirts to benefit Toys for Tots and then shopping for gifts for individual children.

“It’s become something of a tradition,” Wuorinen noted. “They make it their own competition, wanting to surpass the amount of money raised from the

previous year.”

Each year, the women’s basketball team raises money for breast cancer awareness through the College’s Pack the House Challenge, an NCAA national competition to pack the gym to capacity for one game a season.

The Peahens make the most of the big crowd by designating the game a “Pink Zone,” a reference to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Pink Zone Initiative for breast cancer awareness. Saint Peter’s student-athletes representing many sports (from various teams) participate by selling pink t-shirts to raise funds for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. The effort usually nets about $1,500 to help fight breast cancer.

Women’s Basketball Coach Stephanie

DeWolfe ’97 said that, in addition to helping a good cause, Pack the House gives busy student-athletes a chance to contribute their talents to important causes.

“With our season being so long, our players don’t always have the opportunity to do as much community service as they’d like,” DeWolfe explained. “But they absolutely love it. We really try to instill a sense of service in our studentathletes.”

Last spring the women’s volleyball team delivered hand-made cards and Peacock Nation towels to sick children in the pediatric department at the Jersey City Medical Center. Katherine Sura ’09 wrote on the College’s Web site that the visit was deeply satisfying for both the patients and student-athletes.

“The team really enjoyed making the children, along with their parents, happy,” Sura wrote. “It was only a small way that the team was able to give back to the community.”

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 21

DONORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Saint Peter’s students and their alumni mentors at a kick-off barbecue last fall. Mark Kahrer ’83 is pictured above, fourth from the left.

PAYING IT FORWARD Regents and alumni mentor Saint Peter’s College students

Mark Kahrer ’83 is paying it forward. So are James T. Leman ’68, Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68 and more than a dozen Regents and alumni who volunteer to mentor and help current Saint Peter’s College students, through the Board of Regents Mentoring Program.

“I’ve always had unofficial mentors at Saint Peter’s, people who were in a position of authority who were able to help me,” explained Kahrer, vice president of finance at PSE&G, who serves as chair of the Board of Regents Mentoring Committee. “It’s natural to extend the same courtesies I was given and pay it forward.”

While mentoring has been a hallmark of a Saint Peter’s education for generations, Board of Regents member William Armbruster ’71 initiated the formal program in 2003. To date, 40 students, most of whom are Presidential Scholars—top students who receive full scholarships from the College—have been matched with Regents and alumni.

22 22 Saint SaintPeter’s Peter’sCollege College •• Fall Fall2009 2009

The program includes a number of planned events such as a kick-off barbecue in the fall and the annual Business Symposium to help mentor and mentee become better acquainted. From there, each mentoring pair determines how the relationship will proceed.

“My approach is to reach out to the individual and see what they’re looking for,” said Kahrer, who set up internship interviews at PSE&G for current and former mentees, Asshish Shrestha ’10 and Boryana Dimitrova ’08. Both were offered competitive internships at the company. “They don’t need my counseling with schoolwork,” continued Kahrer. “These are exceptional students. They need an introduction to the business world.”

Students say the mentoring program has not only opened up networking opportunities but has also helped them define and envision a future career. “I’ve discussed my future plans with Mark a lot,” said Shrestha, an inter-

[

THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT’S LIKE IN THE REAL WORLD WHICH HELPS PREPARE “IT’S PROVIDING

YOU FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE.”

national student from Nepal. A double major in accounting and economics, Shrestha’s goal is to work for a public accounting firm for a few years and then pursue an M.B.A. “Mark has given me pointers and introduced me to friends who work at large accounting firms. It has definitely helped me with my career and helped me choose a career path.”

Rozen Pradhan ’11, who is also from Nepal, and his mentor James T. Leman ’68, a principal and head of capital markets at Westwater Corp., correspond by e-mail and meet for lunch in Jersey City. “We talk about the classes I’m taking, my internship, what’s going on back home,” said Pradhan, who is majoring in accounting. “He’s more than a mentor. He’s a resource for me in the real world, especially being in this country on my own. I can’t always go to my parents. Regarding my career, Jim is my go-to-guy.”

Alumni have also helped the mentoring program reach more Saint Peter’s students. Right now, says Kahrer, there are more science majors than available mentors. Tom Mac Mahon ’68, the former chairman and CEO of LabCorp, Inc., and a member of the Board of Trustees, arranged for several LabCorp scientists to speak about their profession to students on campus.

“It’s more than just making connections,” said Kahrer.

“It’s providing the experience of what it’s like in the real world which helps prepare you for life after college.”

Not surprisingly, many of the mentoring relationships continue after students graduate. Kahrer still exchanges emails with his first mentee Dimitrova, who is now pursuing a doctorate in international business at Drexel University.

“From my standpoint, there’s a lot of personal satisfaction in taking the skills you’ve been given and having an effect on someone,” he said. “People who have touched your life create the desire to give back. These students will hopefully have the same affinity for Saint Peter’s College and will do the same when it’s their turn.”

The Board of Regents welcomes alumni interested in volunteering their time and talent to mentor Saint Peter’s students.

Medical professionals are especially in demand. To learn more, contact Jenny Campbell at jcampbell1@spc.edu.

COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF REGENTS CHAIR Saint Peter’s College has welcomed a new chair to its Board of Regents. Robb Santos ’91 assumed his new role on July 1, succeeding former chair, Robert J. Goldstein ’60, ’06, who is now a member of the Board of Trustees.

Santos’ experience on the Board of Regents began seven Robb Santos ’91 years ago in what he thought would be a low-key assignment. But after attending meetings, and becoming more involved in the planning of Board of Regents events, such as the annual Business Symposium, he recognized the potential of the board and the good that it can do for the College.

Santos, who previously served as vice-chair, says that as chair, he “hopes to continue the momentum Bob Goldstein has built and hopefully bring Regent participation and activity to a new level.” Six new Regents are joining the board this year.

The Board of Regents is a volunteer body charged with advising the president and vice president for advancement on matters pertaining to public affairs, alumni relations, development, enrollment and career services. The board’s signature event, the 38th Annual Regents Business Symposium—which Santos predicts, “is going to be one of our best ever”—will be held this year on November 6. Entitled “Restoring Confidence: From Crisis to Recovery,” the topic is timely and of great interest to the public. “I’m very much looking forward to what our line-up of speakers have to say. I’m sure the business and economic community will benefit from the insights these speakers provide,” Santos said.

Santos is director of investor and treasury investments, Credit Suisse, Alternative Investments. He is married to Elizabeth Viray Santos ’91; the couple met at Saint Peter’s and has a five-year-old son, Miguel.

They reside in West Orange, N.J.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 23

NEWS AND NOTES

Reunion 2009 come home to saint peter’s

Clockwise from top left: Golden Peacock medals awarded to alumni celebrating their 50th anniversary; members of the Class of 1959; the recently opened Westin Hotel was the venue for this year’s Reunion Gala; perusing a copy of Peacock Pie. Opposite page: Dancing the night away at the Westin Hotel; three members from the Class of 1959.

––———–—

1950s –——–—–——

1950 William P. O’Donnell and his wife, Mary, celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in April.

The couple resides in Cherry Hill, N.J., and has 13 grandchildren.

1953 Msgr. William Carton celebrated his 50th anniversary serving several parishes in the Diocese of Trenton.

––———–—

1960s –——–—–——

1965 James F. Donohue, M.D. was honored during the American

24 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

Thoracic Society’s (ATS) annual meeting in San Diego, Calif., receiving the local ATS Outstanding Clinician Award for 2009. Dr. Donohue has served as the master clinician/discussant at the great cases symposium at ATS for the past five years, working to solve diagnostic unknowns in front of hundreds of doctors.

––———–—

1970s –——–—–——

1971 Kenneth T. Jennings landed the role of Mr. Murphy in Broadway’s musical Sessions, playing at the Algonquin Theater in New York. Jennings also teaches “Professional Theater with Ken Jennings,” offering

seminars on acting and the business of acting.

animation.” A graduating senior from Millburn High School named Barkovitz as his most influential teacher. An educator for 37 years, Barkovitz has been named as one of the most prominent teachers in one of the state’s most respected school districts, Millburn.

1972 William Fox was awarded the 2009 Dr. John J. McMullen Service to New Jersey Hockey Award on March 29. The New Jersey Devils Hockey Team presented this award at the New Jersey Devils VIP/Gold Circle luncheon at the Prudential Center in Newark. The award is presented each year to an individual who has supported amateur hockey throughout New Jersey.

Sharon A. Quinn, Esq. recently opened her new office in Bayonne, N.J. Quinn has practiced family law, criminal law, personal injury, municipal court matters and worker’s compensation cases since 1992.

1973 The Star-Ledger profiled Robert Barkovitz in an article titled, “A precise love of science, chess and

Donald A. DiGioia, Esq. was recently elected president of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey. This is a

NEWS AND NOTES

R

epresenting class years from the 1950s to the new millennium, alumni returned to Saint Peter’s College from June 5–7 for Reunion 2009. The weekend’s many highlights included the induction of 45 members of the Class of 1959 into the Golden Peacocks, a family-style barbecue on campus and the Reunion Gala held at the brand new Westin Hotel in Jersey City.

College President Eugene Cornacchia, Ph.D., announced that the ten reunion classes (1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004) collectively raised nearly $1 million. The Reunion Class Giving Awards went to: • The Class of 1959, which had the most class members make a gift—50 percent, representing 108 donors.

• The Class of 1969, which was recognized for having the most members of Saint Peter’s President’s Council (a group comprised of alumni who individually donate more than $1,000 to the College).

• The Class of 1959, which contributed the largest total dollar amount—a sum totaling $379,547.

Visit alumni.spc.edu to see more pictures from Reunion 2009 and other alumni events.

statewide organization dedicated to protecting the rights of persons accused of crimes. The American Trial Lawyers Association also recognized DiGioia as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in New Jersey.

1974 Joseph Conti was sworn in as a trustee on Franklin Lakes’ K-8 district school board on May 5.

He will serve another three-year term on the board.

Gregory Arnold has joined RCH Cable as vice president of strategic planning. Arnold comes to RCH Cable after 28 years of experience as the regional vice president for Comcast systems in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

1976 Thomas (Moon) Mullins retired from the Jersey City Police Department and now resides in Bangkok, Thailand, where he teaches English.

Mullins has written a book titled Burnt Out in Bangkok, available at xlibris.com and barnesandnoble.com. He is also the proud father of a daughter, Karen.

1977 Rosemary S. Gousman, Esq. has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2010. A managing partner of the New Jersey office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, Gousman has practiced labor and employment law for

MEET GLORIA MERCURIO NEW DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Saint Peter’s College extends a warm welcome to Gloria Mercurio, who was appointed director of alumni relations, effective June 1. Mercurio brings a wealth of experience to the position—she was a teacher and worked in the corporate sector as a sponsorship and special events director for AT&T/Lucent for more than 20 years.

Gloria Mercurio Mercurio has wasted no time in her new position. She has already set up an official Facebook group, Saint Peter’s College Alumni Association (facebook.com/saintpeterscollege). Joining this group will provide alums an additional means of interacting with their alma mater.

“My goal is to communicate, communicate, communicate,” said Mercurio. Planned programming for the coming year includes a number of alumni regional receptions “to provide opportunities for our alumni to spend time with President Cornacchia and hear about progress made with regard to the College’s strategic plan, VISION 2015, as well as improvements made on campus.”

In addition, the Office of Alumni Relations is developing more “community of interest” events such as an Argus Eyes reunion on November 20, which will unite alumni with common interests and experiences at Saint Peter’s.

An alumni survey is also in the works to determine future programming. The goal, says Mercurio, is to devise short- and long-term plans to build alumni relations.

Cushing Alumni House also underwent renovations before the start of the fall term. New eco-friendly bamboo flooring is just one of the cost-effective improvements returning alumni can expect to see at their spruced-up campus hub. Said Mercurio, “We can have receptions and entertain.

Alums can come and meet with us and relax in a more comfortable environment. This is a place for alumni to go when they come to the College; they begin their visit at Cushing Alumni House.”

If you have ideas for programs or suggestions for Mercurio, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (201) 761-6125 or e-mail gmercurio@spc.edu.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 25

NEWS AND NOTES

ALUMNI gatherings

Clockwise from left: The Getty Museum; nearly 20 Los Angeles alumni attended the Saint Peter’s reception held on July 26; Alumni had the opportunity to meet with College President Eugene J. Cornacchia Ph.D., and tour the museum.

Nearly 20 Los Angeles area alumni gathered at the Getty Museum on July 26 for a reception and opportunity to learn about the latest developments at Saint Peter’s College. Following the reception and question-and-answer period about plans for the new student center, attendees had the opportunity to explore the Getty Collection.

Alumni receptions were also held in Boston, Mass. on June 27 and Berkeley Heights, N.J. on June 25.

more than 20 years. Her practice includes both litigation and counseling of clients. Gousman has trial experience in bench and jury trials, as well as arbitration proceedings. Gousman also practices before state and federal administrative agencies handling labor and employment matters.

1979 NJBIZ named Maria Romano one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business in 2009.

Romano is currently vice president and regional manager at The Provident Bank in Freehold, N.J. The annual awards program recognizes New Jersey’s most dynamic and distinguished women in business.

26 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

––———–—

1980s –——–—–——

1986 The Star-Ledger named Kevin Boyle Boy’s Basketball Coach of the Year in an April article. Boyle is head coach of the boy’s basketball team at Saint Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, N.J., where he led the team to two New Jersey Tournament of Champion titles. Boyle was inducted into the Saint Peter’s College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Special Achievement Award. He is eighth on the College’s all-time career assist list.

––———–—

1990s –——–—–——

1993 Karina Maleski earned a Master of Arts in Speech Communication from Montclair State University in 2009. Maleski worked full time while pursuing the degree on a part-time basis.

1998 Dennis C. Degnan, Ed.D., was honored at the eighth annual Simpson Baber Foundation Humanitarian Awards Dinner on September 18 at the Chandelier Restaurant in Bayonne, N.J. Dr. Degnan was recognized for his positive impact and efforts with the Busy Bee Program for Children with Autism at the Bayonne Medical Center.

––———–—

2000s –——–—–——

2000 The online publication silive.com recently featured Nicholas Leidl in an article promoting his newly opened banquet hall in Staten Island, N.Y. The Midland Beach Manor opened in May and accommodates parties of 175 for various occasions. Leidl says his entertainment business, Entertainment Explosion, helped inspire the new venture.

2002 Christopher Huss was recently appointed the principal of Woodland School in Warren Township. N.J. Huss began his appointment on July 1, 2009, after serving as the dean of students for the past four years.

NEWS AND NOTES

CIVIL POLITICS ILLUMINATING THE LIFE OF RICHARD J. HUGHES

Julie and Frank A. McConville ’58 opened their home to Boston area alumni on June 27.

Maureen L. Pergola ’94 and Anthony O. Pergola, Esq. ’92 hosted a reception for New Jersey alumni in their Berkeley Heights home on June 25. Pictured with the Pergola’s are College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., and AnnMarie Cornacchia.

2004 Charles Krajewski III was recently elected to the Secaucus Board of Education.

2007 The Echoes Sentinel featured Steven A. Rizzoli in a front-page article acknowledging his efforts to encourage students to turn off light switches to conserve energy.

The article states that “Energy bills could have been higher by $112, 035, had it not been for Rizzoli’s yearlong message to students, ‘You have the power: Turn it off.’”

2008 Heather Muller was recently appointed principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School in Wood-Ridge, N.J. She is the youngest principal in the 70-year history of the Catholic institution,

which enrolls 215 students ranging from pre-K3 through eighth grade.

After a dangerous one year tour of Heather Muller ’08 duty in Iraq, Sgt. Yassiel Rivera is happy to return to his hometown of West New York, N.J. This is not Rivera’s first return home from a tour of duty. He was first deployed to Iraq in 2006 and states that serving in Iraq has made him stronger and more appreciative of life.

2009 Matthew V. Swajkowski was accepted into the Physician’s Assistant Program at Seton Hall University.

When Richard J. Hughes became the Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey in 1961, Time magazine ran a story entitled, “Who’s Hughes?” The only person in state history to serve as both governor (1962–1970) and chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court (1973–1979), Hughes will finally receive his due when Rutgers University Press publishes the first biography of this influential public servant, The Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes: The Politics of Civility this November.

John B. Wefing ’64 Authored by Seton Hall University School of Law Professor John B. Wefing ’64, the book not only illuminates Hughes’ many accomplishments, but also provides keen insights of a public figure able to work with members of both political parties to shape modern New Jersey. “[Hughes] should be better known,” said Wefing, noting that the former governor’s activism helped to set new standards in education, health care and the environment. Hughes created the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, formed the county college system and established stringent anti-pollution laws.

His most lasting legacy, however, took place during his tenure as chief justice, when he wrote the country’s first right-to-die opinion.

The case concerned Karen Ann Quinlan, a young woman in a persistent coma, whose parents petitioned the court to discontinue active care and allow her to die.

“The decision was relied upon by the United States Supreme Court, which referred to the Quinlan case as the seminal opinion in the area of the right-to-die,” Professor Wefing explained. “The Quinlan decision has spurred many states to enact legislation permitting the use of living wills to deal with the problems created by modern technology in prolonging life.”

The first Catholic governor of New Jersey, Hughes was an executive-in-residence at Saint Peter’s College in 1973. As part of the College’s Centennial Symposium Series, he delivered a series of lectures on penal reform, tax reform and urban issues.

A professor of law at Seton Hall for more than 40 years, Wefing is an expert in federal and state constitutional law. Both his brother, Henry O. Wefing, Jr. ’62 and father, Henry Wefing, Sr. ’27, hold degrees from Saint Peter’s College. The Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes is John Wefing’s sixth book.

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 27

NEWS AND NOTES

Marriages Lydia Devos ’99 was married to Erik Laba on August 2, 2008.

Jacqueline Pomers ’03 was married to Joseph Cinque on August 9, 2008 at Saint Henry Church in Bayonne, N.J.

FIND SAINT PETER’S COLLEGE ONLINE

insidespc.blogspot.com

Marybel Balda ’04 was married to Elvis Valcarcel (below) on September 20, 2009 in Morristown, N.J.

facebook.com/saintpeterscollege

Engagements

twitter.com/stpeterscollege

John J. Doyle ’98 and Katherine Bernabeo are engaged to be married in May 2010.

Attention Saint Peter’s College Alumni Do you have news to share with your classmates?

Complete this form and return to: Office of Alumni Relations, Cushing Alumni House, 2641 Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, N.J. 07306.

NAME ______________________________________________________________________________________________ YEAR _________________________ ADDRESS (Check if this is a new address)

STREET ___________________________________________________________________________________

CITY_________________________________________________________________________________ STATE _________ ZIP _________________________ HOME TELEPHONE ____________________________ CELL PHONE _____________________ E-MAIL _______________________________________ TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF (Marriage, birth, career, honors, etc.) _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ News and Notes may be edited for clarity and space restrictions. Due to limited space, Saint Peter’s College magazine cannot guarantee the publication of all items.

28 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

NEWS AND NOTES

GALILEO’S ITALY

Under Tuscan Skies May 24 – June 3, 2009

Announcing a very special Saint Peter’s College alumni tour.

Join a magical 10 day/9 night journey celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo revolutionizing our view of the universe with his telescope. Experience some of Italy’s most beautiful and unforgettable places with your tour leader, William A. Gutsch, Ph.D. ’67, distinguished professor of arts and sciences, and Rev. Mark DeStephano, S.J., professor of modern and classical languages.

This tour offers a fascinating exploration of Venice, Padova, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Chianti and Rome.

For further details on price and availability, please contact ABC Destinations at (888) 868-7722 or visit abcdestinations.com/ spcollege.

DRAWING ON THE CLASSICS PAINTING BY GEORGE A. RADA ’56 ACQUIRED BY THE NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM George A. Rada ’56 was a man of many mediums. A painter for more than 40 years, the late artist’s rich body of work ranged from commissioned portraits that included the American chef James Beard to cityscapes, landscapes and still life paintings.

One of the cityscapes, “View From the Jersey City Ferry,” has been acquired “View From the Jersey City Ferry” (1963) by George A. Rada ’56. by the New Jersey State Museum as part of the museum’s collection of New Jersey native-born artists. The piece, dated 1963, was part of a larger study created by Rada in the early part of his career.

“From age 14 to 22, George was in Jersey City every day, so I think it had meaning for him,” said the artist’s widow, Jacqueline Sferra Rada. Raised in Bayonne, Rada attended Saint Peter’s Prep and Saint Peter’s College, where he majored in classics, was art editor for Peacock Pie and illustrated a textbook on the epic Greek poem “The Odyssey” for one of his professors.

“This was all formative for him; it really informed his future and his art,” she added. “This education gave him the chance to pursue the more intellectual life he was suited for.”

Describing himself as a “Romantic Realist,” Rada stood out by conveying a deep understanding of emotions and intellect to draw greater personal realization. After serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he enrolled in the Art Student’s League in New York and studied drawing and painting under Frank Reilly for four years.

A tireless advocate for art education, Rada, who died in 2003, was active in a number of artist-run organizations.

He also served as an artist/consultant to the New York City Board of Education and was a guest lecturer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and an instructor at Marymount Manhattan College.

“George really believed that the human being was the most incredible being and that’s why he used realism to express his feelings,” Sferra Rada noted. “He believed beauty and perfection were attainable for people—it’s a struggle, but it’s there for them.”

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009 29

Requiescat in Pace Saint Peter’s College wishes to extend its prayers and condolences to the families of alumni, members of the College community and friends who have passed away.

TRUE HERO DET. MARC DINARDO ’96 Marc DiNardo ’96 could light up a room with his big, infectious laugh and sense of humor. “He was larger than life.

He had this personality and this sense of humor that just drew people to him,” said friend Tim Brennan, who attended Hudson Catholic High School with DiNardo.

DiNardo, a 37-year-old Jersey City Marc DiNardo ’96 (left). Saint Peter’s dedicated a labyrinth and garden in memory of DiNardo and Rev. Coman Brady, S.J. (right).

Police detective, was shot and killed in Saint Peter’s College President Eugene J. the line of duty in July. Now, friends and family Cornacchia, Ph.D., called DiNardo’s passing are remembering a big-hearted person who was as well known for his bravery and generosity as “a tragedy on so many levels.” He went on to say, “Marc was dedicated to his family and he was for his cheerful nature.

A member of the elite Emergency Services community. He put duty above his own Unit, DiNardo was legendary for his heroic personal safety. At Saint Peter’s College, we and giving nature. Earlier this year while on know and love the DiNardo family—and we duty, he dove into the Hackensack River to are proud that Marc was a graduate of Saint help with the rescue of a woman who had Peter’s. We will not forget his heroism and we either fallen or jumped from the Wittpenn pray for Marc and his family.”

On September 24, the Saint Peter’s Bridge. Since DiNardo was a registered organ donor, his heart, kidney and lungs were among College community gathered for the blessing other organs donated to others after his death. and dedication of a new labyrinth and garden The Jersey City native earned a bachelor’s in honor of DiNardo and Rev. Coman Brady, degree in social science from Saint Peter’s S.J., who passed away in July. The garden is College while working as a dispatcher in the located behind the College’s King-Kairos warrant department of the Hudson County Social Justice House and serves as a quiet place Sheriff’s Office. The son of a retired Jersey for thought and reflection.

DiNardo is survived by his wife, Mary; three City police lieutenant, he joined the city’s police department in 1999, later earning a children, Gwendolyn, four, Marc Anthony II, number of awards and commendations for his three, and Ella, one; his parents, Paul and Mary DiNardo; extended family and many friends. meritorious service.

REMEMBERING TED KENNEDY H’67 When Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died on August 25, 2009, many alumni recalled his famous visit to Saint Peter’s College in 1967 to accept a Doctor of Humane Letters at the Michaelmas Convocation.

The Massachusetts senator spoke about Civil Rights, the war in Vietnam and praised college students for constantly looking for new answers. “Your elders think in terms of military service; you think in terms of national service,” Kennedy said. “They are uneasy with dissent; you welcome it.”

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy at Saint Peter’s College in 1967.

30 Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

LTC Michael J. Beirne, USAR (Ret) ’59 John J. Bordiuk ’76 Dennis Joseph Boyle ’68 Eleanor Buesing Rev. Francis P. Canavan, S.J. Barbara Carluccio ’78 Arthur Francis Cerwin ’70 George Christopher, Sr. William Louis Clayton, Jr. ’50 Irwin “Buddy” Cohen ’41 Justinian G. Connors, Jr. ’59 Dennis M. Coughlin, Esq. ’55 James J. Craffey, Jr. ’51 Robert J. Cugini Betty M. Cvek Charles P. Daly ’53 June F. Davis Lt. Col. William F. Desante, USAF (Ret) ’43 Det. Marc A. Dinardo ’96 Irene Rainville Dudas Robert K. Dukiet William C. Fahey, Esq. ’61 Janet Gaita ’81 Christine Groesbeck Donald Guerdan ’45 John Hamilton Joseph M. Healy ’55 Donna Marie Holoduek ’82 John Irving, Sr. Rev. Walter F. Kelly, Jr. ’56 Joseph Kelso ’71 Sen. Edward M. Kennedy H’67 Stephen Krychkowski ’78 Eric Lazaro Helen Leeds James B. Lynch, M.D., ’43 Frank A. Magyer ’43 Gerard “Jerry” Martino ’66 Dolores Mastrobono John McArtney ’52 Margaret M. McCarthy Eleanor McMahon Richard E. Menzel ’53 Margaret Meyersburg ’89 Mary Miller Arthur Olin ’49 Thomas O’Neill Marianna Origlieri Eileen Poiani, Sr. Alfred A. Poletti ’51 John A. Powers ’50 Lorraine Preston Alexander Prezioso ’49 Warren Raisch ’74 Rev. Dr. William J. Schmidt, S.J. Vincent Simone ’12 Raymond John Taylor ’42 Peter A. Tucci, Sr. ’44 Sister Claire Tynan Rev. John F. Wake ’69 David Yam

A 38 nn th ua l

Restoring Confidence: From Crisis to Recovery Friday, November 6, 2009 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson SAINT PETER’S COLLEGE

Public $85 Alumni $70 Young Alumni $35 SAINT PETER’S COLLEGE

gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors.* Presenting Sponsor

gratefully acknowledges our sponsors.* Pitts Ali Velshi the support of Bryon CBS News Chief, National (Keynote) Presenting SponsorCorrespondent and Chief Business Contributing Correspondent, CNN Correspondent, 60 Minutes

Kathleen Fitzgerald ’71 Chief Communications Officer, KPMG LLP

P. Brett Hammond Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist, TIAA-CREF

Marketing Sponsor

Alumni may register online at alumni.spc.edu For additional Marketing information, Sponsor call (201) 761-6112 or e-mail jcampbell1@spc.edu MARKETING SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Breakfast Sponsor

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Program Sponsor Adrian M. Foley, Maiya Furgason, FYI Business Solutions, Go to www.spc.edu/businesssymposium for a full listingJr., ofEsq., sponsors.

Herbert L. Jamison & Co., L.L.C., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Jordan & Jordan,

FLASH BACK

RUN, BABY, RUN! The plan was pretty simple: outrun the opponents. On March 18, 1968, the Peacocks went into the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Tournament as 11-point underdogs. Before a record crowd at Madison Square Garden, they knocked out Duke, 100-71, and taught us that anything is possible. Pictured from the “Run, Baby, Run” team is one of its leading scorers, Elnardo J. Webster, Ed.D., ’69, now a member of the College’s Board of Trustees.

32

Saint Peter’s College • Fall 2009

CALENDAR OF ALUMNI EVENTS 2009-2010 OCTOBER

22 23 24 27 28 29 – 31 31

7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

The Hudson Symphony Orchestra, Roy Irving Theatre The Voices of Praise Black-out Concert, Roy Irving Theatre CROP Hunger Walk, McIntyre Lounge NYC Alumni Regional Reception, Columbus Citizen’s House Career Fair, McIntyre Lounge Argus Eyes Presents: The Halloween Variety Show, Roy Irving Theatre American Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, Liberty State Park

NOVEMBER

1 6 10 12 – 15 14 17 19 – 21 20

10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

6:00 a.m.

8:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

Alumni Memorial Mass (RIT) Brunch, McIntyre Lounge Regents Business Symposium, Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson Morris County Alumni Regional Reception, Park Avenue Club, Florham Park, N.J. Argus Eyes Presents: Musical Comedy of Murders of 1940 by John Bishop, Roy Irving Theatre Admissions Open House, Yanitelli Recreation Life Center ESPN Live Basketball Game (Saint Peter’s College vs. Monmouth), Yanitelli Recreation Life Center Argus Eyes Presents: Musical Comedy of Murders of 1940 by John Bishop, Roy Irving Theatre Argus Eyes Reunion (Reception and Performance), Roy Irving Theatre

DECEMBER

1

7:00 p.m.

3 9

6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

12

2:00 p.m.

World AIDS Day Benefit Concert feat. The Voices of Praise Gospel Choir and Aiden C. McMullen Chorale, Roy Irving Theatre, Dinneen Hall Holiday Acts of Kindness, Margaret Cusack Care Center Montclair Art Museum, Cézanne & American Modernism: Exhibition & Wine Tasting, Montclair, N.J. Athletic Hall of Fame (Saint Peter’s College vs. Wagner), Yanitelli Recreation Life Center

TBD 15 17 28 – 30 31

JANUARY

6:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Orlando Alumni Regional Reception, location TBD West Palm Alumni Regional Reception, The Phillips Point Club Naples Alumni Regional Reception, Mass and Brunch, The Naples Sailing and Yacht Club Argus Eyes Presents: The Improv Explosion, Roy Irving Theatre Peacock Nation & Class of 1960 Reception (followed by Saint Peter’s College vs. Manhattan College), Yanitelli Recreation Life Center

FEBRUARY

3 4 12

6:30 p.m.

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Washington D.C. Alumni Regional Reception, at the home of Kathleen Tyrrell ’73 Caribbean History Celebration, Roy Irving Theatre The Annual Evening of International Song and Dance, Roy Irving Theatre

MARCH

11 24 25

7:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

The Hudson Symphony Orchestra at SPC, Roy Irving Theatre 26th Annual Career Fair, McIntyre Lounge Young Alumni Event, New York City

8 13 – 17 15 17 17 TBD TBD

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m.

Hearts & Minds Annual Scholarship Dinner, Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange, N.J. Argus Eyes Presents Urinetown by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, Roy Irving Theatre Third Annual Media History Conference, Pope Lecture Hall Admissions Open House, Yanitelli Recreation Life Center Argus Eyes Presents Urinetown by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, Roy Irving Theatre South Jersey Alumni Regional Reception, location TBD Boston Alumni Regional Reception, location TBD

6:00 p.m.

The Voices of Praise 15th Annual Anniversary Concert, Roy Irving Theatre Bergen County Alumni Regional Reception, location TBD Alumni Golf Outing and Dinner, Colts Neck Country Club The Annual Spring Concert, “Gossip: Song About Other People” featuring The Aiden C. McMullen Chorale, Roy Irving Theatre Union County Alumni Regional Reception, at the home of Anthony Pergola ’92 and Maureen Pergola ’94, Berkeley Heights, N.J. John J. Delaney Senior Reception, Casino in the Park Commencement — Class of ’60 (Jubilarians) participate, PNC Bank Arts Center Galileo’s Italy: Under Tuscan Skies, Venice, Padova, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Chianti and Rome

APRIL

MAY

1 TBD 6 6

12:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

18

6:30 p.m.

13 23 May 24 – June 3

6:00 p.m.

JUNE

4 5 6 7

JULY

TBD

7:00 p.m.

11:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Alumni Weekend Welcome, Fountain area on campus Alumni Weekend BBQ & Gala, campus and The Westin Hotel for The Gala Alumni Weekend Brunch, Roy Irving Theatre and McIntyre Hall All Sports Golf Outing, Rock Spring Country Club California Alumni Regional Reception, location TBD

For more information, visit alumni.spc.edu or call the Office of Alumni Relations at (201) 761-6122.

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We’rE invested “Jesuit education provides an outstanding understanding of life. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Saint Peter’s, where we not only met, but grew up as human beings. We are indebted to Saint Peter’s wonderful family and the men and women who very Office of public relations and publications

Saint Peter’s College

College for our

patiently taught us.”

Susan Sochinski Martinez ’80 and Aldo J. Martinez, Esq. ’77 Annual Fund donors for 28 years

To join Susan and Aldo in investing in the Annual Fund, please contact Kevin Brennan, manager of annual giving, at (201) 761-6111 or kbrennan1@spc.edu or log onto www.spc.edu/giving.

Saint

Peter’s

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