Mount Saint Mary College
MAGAZINE NEWBURGH, NEW YORK
FALL 2020
PANDEMIC 2020
RESPONDING WITH RESILIENCE
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MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
Creativity and adaptation The need for social distancing has challenged the Mount community to think outside the box when it comes to traditional classroom instruction. Here, Douglas Robinson, associate professor of Biology, teaches one of his biology classes outside of Aquinas Hall in August of 2020.
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“Uncertainty is the essential, inevitable, and all-pervasive companion in the art [we] make…tolerance for uncertainty is the pre-requisite for succeeding.” Art & Fear, David Bayles and Ted Orland
From the VP for Academic Affairs
Mount Saint Mary College Magazine Volume 42, No. 2 The Office of Marketing and Communications prepares this magazine for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. EDITOR / DESIGN DIRECTOR Dean DiMarzo MBA ’13 DESIGNER Sten Miller Perkins SENIOR WRITERS Matt Frey ’05 MSEd ’10 Emily Ricci ’15 PHOTOGRAPHER Lee Ferris CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Iacuessa ’94 Lynn Frank COPYEDITORS Lauren Giacalone WEBSITE msmc.edu/magazine EMAIL magazine@msmc.edu MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE 330 Powell Avenue Newburgh, NY 12550 845-561-0800 ADMISSIONS 888-YES-MSMC CIRCULATION 8,000 ©2020
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I
t’s a great honor to greet you in this manner, as I begin my tenure at the Mount and together we navigate through this academic year that is like no other. If one is going to experience a year like no other, it might as well be at a college like no other. From the time I first set foot at the Mount, I have felt welcomed by all. It has been clear to me from the start that the mission of this institution is alive and thriving. I am humbled by the dedication of our faculty and staff to transforming the lives of students, as attested to by their sacrifices and hard work to prepare for this academic year. To achieve some version of normalcy, we welcomed students back to campus with a mixture of in-person and virtual instruction. We needed to figure out how best to satisfy public health requirements in ways that would be consistent with best-practice pedagogy and delivery of content. Since social distancing guidelines significantly decreased our classroom capacity, necessitating rotating in-person and remote instruction, our “Mount HyFlex” model has allowed maximum flexibility for students and professors. College-wide training was underway across the summer months to equip our faculty with the tools necessary to deliver carefully-designed courses and the effective, meaningful educational experiences our students expect and deserve. We developed a monumental Reopening Plan that would help ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of the Mount, as well as that of our surrounding communities. Although many things remain uncertain, I can assure you that the entire Mount community is working hard to deliver a meaningful and safe education to every student. Of course, I must commend our
MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
students and their families for choosing to face these challenges with us. Our students remind me daily why I chose the Mount, which I am sure are reasons we share: its reputation for strong academic programs, dedicated faculty and staff who thoughtfully guide and mentor, and its Catholic Dominican foundation, which informs and supports our vision of becoming the most community service-oriented college in the country. These are just some of the reasons that make coming to work, even during a pandemic, a joy. Mount faculty and staff are passionate about their purpose and have embraced opportunities for innovation born of these unprecedented challenges. Like with any crisis, these challenges also present opportunities to reflect on how we have done things in the past, so that we may move forward in improved ways. In other words, more important than the challenge is how we overcome it and what we learn from having faced adversity. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that students feel confident they made the right choice by joining our community of learning and serving – a welcoming community that will assist them in any way possible to realize within themselves the essential capabilities needed to become contributing members of a better, future society, and to succeed in the 21st century. It is truly an honor to serve as your Academic Vice President and I look forward with great excitement to what we will accomplish together. I cannot wait to meet you in person, and to continue our journey together.
— George Abaunza, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs
INSIDE
Mount freshmen took part in socially-distanced bingo during Orientation Weekend at the start of the Fall 2020 semester.
8 Responding with Resilience
The global pandemic of 2020 led to Spring and Fall semesters unlike any that we have seen before. The Mount community responded with compassion, resilience, and innovation.
4 News & Notes
18 Finding Success
22 Alumni Notes
25 Looking Back
On the cover Mount students, clockwise from top left: Meaghan Foster, Nursing ’21; Cullen Roper ’23, Business; Gianna Roma ’24, Social Sciences / Psychology; and Cyan Scott ’21, Psychology
MSMC has a new home online: Be sure to check out the Mount’s totally redesigned website at msmc.edu www.msmc.edu
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News&Notes
Professor Jenifer Lee-Gonyea presented “Using Restorative Justice to Address Serious Harms” at an iROC talk on campus in 2019.
Abaunza named as new VPAA George Abaunza, a dedicated professor and administrator, was recently named Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). “I look forward to building together with colleagues at the Mount a shared vision for the college’s future,” he said. Abaunza is responsible for the administration of all academics, including the School of Business and School of Nursing, as well as the college’s six divisions. He comes to the Mount from Felician University in Lodi, N.J. Over the course of two decades, Abaunza served in many roles at the University, most recently as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. In addition, he was full professor of Philosophy, and previously associate dean of Humanities, as well as associate dean for Assessment and Development, in the School of Arts and Sciences, and served as interim dean for the School of Education. Abaunza earned a PhD in Philosophy from Florida State University in 2005. His areas of specialization include Philosophy of Education, Social, and Political Philosophy.
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Lee-Gonyea named Rockefeller Institute fellow Jenifer Lee-Gonyea, associate professor of Criminology, was recently selected as a Rockefeller Institute Fellow for 2020-2021. The mission of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government is to improve communities, local and state governments, and federal systems by finding solutions to the nation’s most pressing issues. The fellowship gives Lee-Gonyea the opportunity to explore important issues related to Criminology and to reach out to state policy makers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from West Virginia University, a master’s in Criminal Justice from Marshall University, and a PhD in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Brightening up a pediatrics unit The new pediatric unit in MidHudson Regional Hospital (MHRH) just got a little friendlier thanks to Assistant Nursing Professor Elaine Suderio-Tirone and her family. Suderio-Tirone, her daughter Viviane, and her brother Elizar (an RN) teamed up recently to paint murals in the MHRH pediatric unit. Since the hospital is based in the beautiful Hudson Valley, they used a fun and familiar theme: farming. It only took them three days to complete the majority of the artwork. After all, they already had some experience in mural painting: Suderio-Tirone and her then three-year-old daughter painted similar murals in the pediatrics unit of Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Viviane is now a high school senior looking to study art.
MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
Members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams worked with Special Olympic athletes at the beginning of March 2020.
Knights earn prize for work with Special Olympics Thanks to Mount Saint Mary College’s dedicated student-athletes and some help from the community, the Mount Knights were recently declared the winners of the NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll. The prize: $500, to be used for the Mount’s next Special Olympics event. The Knights were nominated for a basketball clinic with Special Olympians from around the Hudson Valley. Members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams led the Olympians in various skill stations and games. The monthly poll features stories that highlight a Division III and Special Olympics joint activity or event. The story with the highest number of votes from the community is named the winner.
Fox pens law book on diversity Michael L. Fox, assistant professor of Business Law, MBA coordinator, and Pre-Law advisor at the Mount, recently authored A Guide to Diversity and Inclusion in the 21st Century Workplace. The book, published by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), provides readers with a detailed reference guide regarding the major issues of diversity and inclusion in the 21st century. This summer, Fox hosted a series of webinars about the book for the NYSBA. Attendees hailed from New York, Colorado, Hong Kong, and beyond. Fox plans to resume his international book tour, including stops in the U.S. and England, when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
School of Business names first dean Tiffany N. Gagliano ’02 was named the Mount’s inaugural dean of the School of Business earlier this year. Gagliano is helping to expand the Mount’s external relations and partnerships, supporting recruitment, and working with campus stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the school. After graduating from the Mount, Gagliano earned a Juris Doctor degree at Pace University. She has served in numerous roles with the City of Newburgh and Orange County, including assistant Corporation Counsel for Newburgh, where she was able to make deep connections with the regional business community. In addition, she has spent a considerable amount of time in the area of compliance. The Mount’s culture of service goes hand in hand with Gagliano’s commitment to community. She has enjoyed serving as a volunteer basketball coach for most of her adult life, including seasons with Bishop Dunn Memorial School and the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. She is also a board member of Girls on the Run – Hudson Valley, a program that helps young women to develop essential life skills, with an appreciation for health and fitness. www.msmc.edu
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Right: The renovated art room on the third floor of Aquinas Hall Below right: Michael Fox, assistant professor of Business Law and Pre-Law advisor, meets with a student in the new Business center.
Latest Aquinas Hall upgrades debut for new school year When students arrived on campus at Mount Saint Mary College in August, they were greeted by plenty of upgrades and renovations made over the summer. Exciting additions to the School of Nursing included two doctor simulation offices, allowing students to practice their skills in a controlled setting, as well as enhanced classroom technology. The college’s School of Business suite now features a new seminar and conference room, as well as an analytics lab and three additional office spaces. On the third floor of Aquinas Hall, two additional classrooms and a new handicap-accessible bathroom were added. All existing classrooms and restrooms on the floor were also renovated.
Workplace wellness award
Members of the Employee Wellness Committee, from left: Robin Rosenberg, Dina Leduc, Elizabeth Harper, Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Melissa Caridi, Trevor Purcell, Doreen Bischof, and Orin Strauchler.
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Mount Saint Mary College was recently presented with the Health and Wellness Platinum Medal for Excellence by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of the college’s commitment to health and wellness. The college received the award for its ongoing efforts to increase wellness on campus for faculty and staff. The award comes on the heels of the Health and Wellness Gold Medal for Excellence, which the Mount’s Wellness Committee earned about a year ago. Over the summer, the Employee Wellness Committee held its second annual Employee Wellness Day online. Employees enjoyed workshops on topics including stress reduction, yoga, and healthy eating.
Walking into “a classroom had been as natural as eating, drinking, and breathing.
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Professor Emeritus James Finn Cotter
James Finn Cotter, Mount’s longest-serving professor, retires after 57 years Author, poet, and educator James Finn Cotter recently retired from teaching after 57 years of dedication and outstanding service to the Mount. Cotter, a professor of English within the Division of Arts and Letters, began his tenure with the college in 1963. In his nearly six decades with the Mount, Cotter has taught in or chaired the Divisions of Humanities, Arts and Letters, and Religious Studies and Philosophy. His legacy is truly part of the DNA of the college, from his administrative service to the thousands of students on which he imparted a love of literature. “Each day is a new day, and each class has new faces and voices that will share their learning,” Cotter explained. “Of course, I will miss the classroom, but my memories are real and remain in me alive and well.” In addition to having enhanced the education of thousands of Mount students, Cotter is a celebrated translator of Dante’s Commedia, a Fulbright-Hays lecturer, and a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Among a great many other publications, Cotter is the author of Beginnings: the First Twenty-Five Years of Mount Saint Mary College, A New Life: Learning the Way of Omega, and the Mount’s alma mater, which is sung at every Commencement ceremony. Cotter was master of ceremonies at 40 Mount Commencements, just as he was for the Mount’s first Commencement in 1964. Only two people have led the procession in the entire history of the college: Cotter and professor emeritus James McEnery, who passed away in December of 2015. In recognition of his contributions to the college, Cotter has been granted professor emeritus status.
Horodyski named chair of Board of Trustees The Mount’s Board of Trustees recently elected Michael Horodyski, president and CEO of Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan, as board chair of the college. A board member since 2017, Horodyski’s tenure as chair began in 2020. Horodyski is dedicated to honoring the heritage of the college’s founders – the Dominican Sisters – while improving the Mount’s rigorous academic programs. “The impact that the Mount has on not only the students, but also the greater Newburgh and Hudson Valley area, cannot be overstated,” said Horodyski. “I am excited to continue the stewardship of the Dominican educational tradition, and help provide a learning environment that forges students who bring a material impact to their chosen professions and their greater communities.” Born and raised in Highland, N.Y., Horodyski is a seasoned businessman and has been president and CEO of Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan for nearly a decade. Before that, he served as the bank’s executive vice president. The college honored Horodyski with the Joseph A. Bonura Leadership Excellence Award at its Seventh Annual Gala Reception in 2016.
New trustees join the board
Mount Saint Mary College recently welcomed six new members to its Board of Trustees: Philip J. DeAngelo; Christofer Guarino; Jake Kosack ’18; Sr. Catherine McDonnell ’69, OP; Ann Marie Murray ’70; and Jeremy Smith ’06. DeAngelo is the owner and managing director of Focused Wealth Management, an SEC registered investment advisor headquartered in Newburgh, N.Y. Guarino is director and senior relationship manager for Citigroup in New York City. He is honored to be the youngest senior relationship manager on his team. Kosack is an associate field producer and reporter for the news website TMZ. Sr. McDonnell, OP is prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. Murray was vice provost for Program Development and Strategic Initiatives at the University at Albany. Smith is director of Digital Workspace Engineering at Travelers Companies, Inc.
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PANDEMIC 2020
Responding with Resilience
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ount Saint Mary College hosted the first classes of the Fall 2020 semester on Monday, August 24, having welcomed hundreds of students to their residence halls over the weekend.
Just like any other year, several hundred freshmen began their college careers. And just like any other year, the mood on campus was upbeat: students were happy to be back at the Mount. But it wasn’t just any other year. With students donning face coverings and adhering to social distancing, the first day of classes for the Fall 2020 semester was a milestone for the college. It marked the first time that students had returned to take classes on campus since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and students made the transition to online learning for the remainder of the semester. It was a long journey from those first days of online instruction to living, working, and learning on campus again. But it was also through these hardships that the Mount Saint Mary College community grew, adapted, and became stronger.
Life goes on(line)
With COVID-19 cases increasing all over New York State, the Mount’s transition to online courses in March 2020 needed to be quick. In a matter of days, professors had restructured their
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Adrianna Smith, a freshman Nursing major, had help from her parents Annmarie and Thomas as she moved in to Sakac Hall in August.
courses from the ground up. It often was not an easy process, but the college community banded together to help each other whenever they could. While professors were getting the hang of online learning, so too were their students. Business major Leonard “LJ” Barone credited Jeffrey Kahana, associate professor of History, with helping him to get used to life in the virtual classroom.
Students, faculty, and staff have stepped up to the challenge of keeping each other safe by wearing face coverings and social distancing, while also continuing to enjoy one another’s company. From left: Cyan Scott ’21, Psychology; Meaghan Foster, Nursing ’21; Cullen Roper ’23, Business; and Gianna Roma ’24, Social Sciences and Psychology
“It was a difficult transition for sure,” said Barone, “but Professor Kahana has really been helpful. He sends positive emails to encourage us to do our best.” Mount Saint Mary College teacher candidates faced a different issue: How would they continue student teaching in area K-12 classrooms? The answer was simple: They too embraced the virtual classroom. Alec Durkin, a senior History major on the Adolescent Education track, had only begun the rigorous student teaching process a few weeks before the pandemic shut down New York State, forcing him to adapt to an online environment mid-semester. The change, however, has helped him to build new teaching skills he might not have otherwise. “This experience has taught me how important it is to be proficient in using online learning materials,” Durkin explained. “Remember, the students come first, and it is our job to do whatever we can to give them the proper education they need, no matter what grade they are in.” He added, “Just take everything day by day and keep working.”
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Service in three dimensions
When the pandemic was declared, the Mount’s School of Business began searching for a way to use 3D printing technology to aid healthcare workers, explained Tiffany Gagliano ’02, dean of the Mount’s School of Business. A breakthrough came when Peter Gregory, instructor of Business, designed and printed mask extenders. The extenders fit on virtually any mask and help to alleviate discomfort caused by tight straps. They allow essential workers to wrap the mask around the back of the head instead of strapping it behind the ears. With the help of the Information Technology department and Alex Valentin, director of Technical Services, Gregory was able to retrieve several 3D printers from the college and start creating the extenders at home. Gregory has been using a 3D printer to educate students for years. His experience helped the process to run smoothly, he said. To date, the School of Business has printed and donated 350 extenders.
Facing page: Orientation leaders were well prepared to help new students after they moved in to residence halls in August.
In the spirit of service
W
ith service at the core of the Mount’s identity, the college quickly proved that it would take more than a pandemic to stop students, faculty, and staff from aiding local communities. Among donations to other facilities in the area, the Mount’s School of Nursing sent about 5,000 disposable gloves to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall in Newburgh, N.Y.; 1,500 to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y.; and about 500 to Four Winds Hospital in Cross River, N.Y. All of the equipment came from the college’s supplies. The donations were coordinated by Susan LaRocco, dean of the Mount’s School of Nursing. “We are grateful for all that the nurses and others working in hospitals are doing to care for our community,” said LaRocco. The college’s Health Services office also donated PPE supplies, this time to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, which had been converted into a 1,200-bed hospital in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Doreen Bischof, FNP, ’17, director of Health Services, the donations included two large cases of surgical masks and two other large boxes that included N95 masks, disposable gloves, face shields, and impermeable gowns. “These were items that we already had on hand for daily use,” Bischof explained. “It’s important that these items get to those who need them most. We were more than happy to help.” When the college community ran out of PPE to donate, students, faculty, and staff simply decided to make more. Elaine Suderio-Tirone, an assistant professor of Nursing at the Mount, recruited her family to help sew more than 3,000 masks. Likewise,
the Mount’s School of Business used 3D printers to create hundreds of mask extenders for local healthcare workers (see sidebars). Many other members of the college community pitched in to the maskmaking efforts, including Anne-Marie Uebbing, associate professor of Nursing; Karidis Tubo, clinical placement coordinator; Fr. Gregoire Fluet, director of Campus Ministry and campus chaplain; and students. This protection equipment was donated to healthcare workers and other individuals in need throughout the nation. Closer to home, some Mount students were experiencing hardships brought on by the pandemic. Fortunately, the college’s Student Emergency Fund, which provides financial support during unforeseen crisis situations, was there to help. But as the pandemic intensified, the fund couldn’t continue without more capital. Enter Dr. Jason N. Adsit, president of the Mount. If the college community could increase the Emergency Fund to $24,000 in 24 hours, Dr. Adsit promised to shave his hair into a mohawk hairdo. The Mount banded together, raising the money to close the gap in a single day. True to his word, Dr. Adsit’s wife, Heather, gave him his new punk rockinspired hairdo as hundreds watched live on Instagram. The money raised from the Mohawk Hairdo Challenge was quickly put to use helping students in need. “Your generosity will allow me to buy some essential grocery items and pay various utility bills,” said one recipient. “This truly is a blessing that I will forever remember. [It] has inspired me to ensure that when I too have the opportunity, I will pay it forward.”
Professor sews 3,000 masks with family
Inspired by a news story about the shortage of personal protective equipment, Elaine SuderioTirone, an assistant professor of Nursing, recruited her teenage daughter, her brother, and her sister-in-law to help her sew and donate cloth masks. In addition to long shifts each week treating COVID-19 patients at a local hospital, a typical day for Suderio-Tirone and her family was to sew from 7 a.m. up to 3 a.m. the following day. They kept up this grueling pace for several months. At last count, Suderio-Tirone and her team had made about 3,000 masks. They have been sent all over the country, including California, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. In New York, Good Samaritan Hospital received Suderio-Tirone’s first 50 masks. She sent more to the Dyson Center for Cancer Care, Stony Brook University Hospital, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, area nursing homes, and even community members in need – from post office workers to the elderly. “It’s good to know that we are able to provide masks and help, in some degree, to slow down the spread of the virus and protect the community,” said Suderio-Tirone. In recognition of her selfless work to save lives, Suderio-Tirone was named one of the area’s COVID Healthcare Heroes by the Dutchess County Medical Society in July 2020.
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In the trenches
Mount Nursing students fight back
A Shannon Christiano
Diana Gomez
Briana Irwin
Jovanna Cruz
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s the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, Mount Saint Mary College Nursing students fought back on the frontlines. Briana Irwin, a full-time medicalsurgical nursing assistant at Saint Anthony’s Community Hospital in Warwick, N.Y., is one of many Mount Nursing students, faculty, and alumni who have been caring for COVID-19 patients. “Never did I consider that I would be working on the frontlines of a pandemic,” Irwin explained. “We need to be extremely mindful of every single move we make when caring for those with COVID-19, not only to ensure our safety, but to ensure the safety of all of our patients, our community, and our colleagues.” Shannon Christiano was president of the Mount’s Student Nurses’ Association before she graduated in May 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she was working in the emergency room at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y. as a nursing assistant. With policies changing nearly every day and the number of COVID-19 patients rising, “The most difficult thing [was] trying to treat very sick patients while also keeping their anxiety and stress at a manageable level,” explained Christiano. Jovanna Cruz, a May 2020 graduate, was employed at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan as a float patient care associate when the pandemic was declared. She said that working triage in the emergency room “opened my eyes to the severity and magnitude of the pandemic. You start to think, ‘Do we have enough beds and staff to tend to everyone?’” The nurses agreed that their training at the Mount helped to prepare them for the challenges of COVID-19. Christiano noted that her classes enhanced her critical thinking and time
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management skills. Irwin added that their Nursing professors “provided us with up-to-date information and have been working diligently to educate the community about what is going on in our world right now. As difficult as these times may be, the Mount has gone above and beyond.” Working on the healthcare frontlines during the pandemic has helped to mold the students into even stronger nurses, explained Diana Gomez, a 2020 Mount Nursing grad. As the situation escalated in New York State, Gomez was working at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. as a patient care tech, a position she still holds today. “This pandemic has really taught me how to be an advocate for my patients and has taught me a great deal of compassion, patience, and hope,” she said. “These qualities are some of the most crucial to possess to be a better nurse.” These unprecedented times have also helped the students learn to work better as a team with their fellow healthcare professionals. “I feel that we will all come out of this stronger than ever,” Christiano said. “This situation is forcing everyone in healthcare to be flexible and open to learning new things.” Even though dealing with COVID-19 has been difficult – and continues to be a challenge to this day – the experience has served to strengthen the resolve of these young nurses. “Working on the frontlines of a pandemic has confirmed what I have always thought: that I know this is exactly what I was put on this Earth to do,” said Irwin. Cruz agreed. “I honestly love what I do and would not change it,” she said. “I chose this line of work for a reason and I want to continue to help others as much as I can.”
The new normal
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iven enough time, even a pandemic can start to feel ordinary. Mount Nursing students, faculty, and alumni began to adjust to the stress of working with COVID-19 patients. And while the switch to online courses took some getting used to, it soon became familiar territory for Mount students and faculty. Just like a physical classroom, professors began inviting guest speakers to enhance their teaching. For example, local artists Rita Leduc and Vernon M. Byron made a virtual visit to Art History Instructor Anna Adler’s course, Fine Art: Theory and Practice. Luduc noted that the fleeting nature of light and shadow are some of her biggest influences. Byron discussed a project of his, Vanishing Points: Architectural Interventions, which used materials like PVC, mylar, and camouflage netting. Sometimes, the Mount students were the ones making the guest appearances. The college community helped to bring the online classroom to life for the children of Bishop Dunn Memorial School (BDMS) through a variety of exciting storytelling and instructional videos. Students in Theatre for School, taught by Associate Theatre Professor James Phillips, normally perform live for the young students of BDMS. Last semester, the Mount students instead recorded their performances. Working with kindergarten teacher Colleen Middlemiss, the Mount students presented storytelling videos, cooking demos, and instructional videos on topics such as garden work and baton twirling. Student clubs and organizations continued meeting virtually. For example, the Student Government Association (SGA) had enjoyed mentoring the fifth grade class of
James Phillips
Pizza Tuesday with the Moores, above
Bishop Dunn Memorial School for several months – and they weren’t going to let COVID-19 stop them. In partnership with the college’s Student Activities office, the Mount’s SGA met with the fifth graders online several times to discuss new service projects and make sure the students were doing OK during a difficult time. Student events made the transition to an online format as well. The Mount community looked forward to several recreational Zoom meetings hosted by the Mount Activities and Planning Board (MAP) throughout the Spring 2020 semester. Live from the kitchen of their Montgomery, N.Y. home, Brian Moore, director of Purchasing, and his daughters Allison and Emily ’23 (a Mount student) presented “Pizza Tuesday.” The family demonstrated how to make the perfect pizza pie, as well as smaller snack-sized pizza treats using an English muffin as a base. Other members of the Mount community hosted similar cooking shows during this time, including meatballs and sauce made by Elaine O’Grady ’89, vice president for Students, and her daughter Kayla ’20; fresh baked bread and chicken francese made by Fr. Gregoire Fluet, chaplain and director of Campus Ministry; and penne alla vodka made by Student Government Association Vice President Joe Galasso ’20 and his dad.
Stronger with service By helping others, the students of James Phillips, associate professor of Theatre, were also helping themselves. The educational videos they produced for Bishop Dunn Memorial School last semester gave the kindergarten and pre-K students interesting content during a difficult time. But the videos also helped Phillips’ students to grow their performance skills, which can be transitioned to careers in acting, teaching, business, and more – just like the original in-person course. “Our Mount students are getting as much out of this service project as the BDMS students,” explained Phillips. The college enjoys a close relationship with Bishop Dunn. Mount Education students do fieldwork at the school and many Mount grads work at Bishop Dunn, including Principal Nancy Benfer ’04. Phillips values this partnership, especially at a time when education looks much different than it has in the past. “My daughter went through Bishop Dunn, so I have a deep connection to the school,” Phillips said. “We love working with them and get attached quickly. They get attached to us as well. Hopefully, we can let them know that we’re still here to help them get through this time of crisis.”
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have had to be more forgiving of ourselves, in terms of “notWeholding ourselves to Pinterest standards of parenting. ” Orin Strauchler, assistant dean of Student Support Services
Working… with children
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Orin Strauchler works at home with his new assistant.
hile students began to find success in their online endeavors, Mount faculty and staff became accustomed to working from home. For many, every day has become Take Your Child to Work Day. Orin Strauchler, assistant dean of Student Support Services and director of Counseling at the college, is working from home with his wife, Danielle. The couple has three children, including a new baby. Like many parents in this situation, they sometimes get stretched thin, Strauchler explained. “Danielle and I are both very driven, conscientious people who want to give our all at our jobs, but we also don’t want to feel as if we aren’t being good parents who just plop their children in front of the television,” he said. “Our work responsibilities don’t always allow for one of us to be working while the other one is handling childcare, so we wind up doing a lot of juggling and rejiggering of schedules.” For Strauchler, the keys to navigating these new challenges are good communication with his spouse and not placing unrealistic expectations on himself. “We have had to be more forgiving of ourselves, in terms of not holding ourselves to Pinterest standards of parenting,” he explained. “Everywhere you turn on social media,
Mount welcomes new honor societies
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ear the end of the Spring 2020 semester, the Mount introduced two new honor societies in recognition of the dedication and skill of dozens of students: Chi Rho Iota for Criminology and Chi Alpha Sigma for student-athletes. Chi Rho Iota and Chi Alpha Sigma joined nearly 20 other honor societies at the Mount, alongside societies for Science, Mathematics, English, Education, and more. The induction ceremonies for both new honor societies were held online.
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The Chi Rho Iota (CRI) Criminology Honor Society seeks to develop a community of young scholars dedicated to understanding the causes, prevention, control, treatment, and responses to crime and delinquency. While there is a national honor society devoted to the discipline of Criminal Justice, there is no national honor society devoted specifically to Criminology. Thus, faculty advisors Jenifer Lee-Gonyea, associate professor of Criminology, and Kate Burmon, assistant professor of Criminology, decided to create this new honor society to celebrate hardworking
I think the key is children just wanting “toUltimately, feel that they haven’t been forgotten about. ” Tabatha Mays, marketing assistant
it seems there is someone who has just baked beautiful sugar cookies with their kids or built them a two-story treehouse. Even before the pandemic, people only tended to show their best selves on social media, so it can really skew your view on things. At this point, we are happy if our daughter is happy and has all of her arms, legs, fingers, and toes in place by the end of the day.” Tabatha Mays, a marketing assistant with the college’s Office of Marketing and Communications, agrees that the last few months have been a little difficult. But there are definitely positive aspects of the situation too, such as getting to spend more time with her 5-year-old son. “Working from home with a child has its challenges, yet it is quite rewarding!” she explained. “This has allowed me more time to reflect on and implement some life goals with my child, such as practicing religion/ faith, and life skills, such as learning to wash dishes, cooking, and cleaning.” Mays makes plenty of time for her
son throughout the day – even if it’s in small doses. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but the results have been positive. “I find that taking 5 to 10 minute breaks just to have a little fun with my child, like participating in a tickling tournament, an arm wrestling match, or even an intense staring standoff, lightens the mood despite the challenge of putting my attention in multiple places at once,” Mays noted. What her son really wants, says Mays, is to know that she cares about him and that his voice is being heard. “Acknowledging him, if even for a few minutes, shows him that he is equally important as anything else, and as a result, he is content with doing his own thing,” she explained. “Ultimately, I think the key is children just wanting to feel that they haven’t been forgotten about. Knowing that mom and/or dad cares about what they have to say gives them a sense of confirmation that you love them and you’re genuinely interested in them. Then they are good to go – until the next tantrum, of course.”
Mount students. The two even created a seal for Chi Rho Iota for use on the society’s documents and certificates. Chi Rho Iota inducted the following students: Angelina Dragonetti, Samantha Mazzella, Albert James Bolger, and Victoria Guglielmo. In addition, the Award for Excellence in Criminology went to Troy Grant. The Mount’s Athletic Department announced that nearly 50 student-athletes were inducted into the college’s second new honor society, Chi Alpha Sigma, New York Alpha Si Chapter. A nonprofit organization, Chi Alpha Sigma
Tabatha Mays’ son had some extra time to study with Mom during the pandemic.
was established to recognize college studentathletes who excel in both the classroom and on the field. Chi Alpha Sigma honors studentathletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester, and earn a 3.4 or better cumulative grade point average. The Mount welcomed 48 student-athletes into the inaugural cohort, covering 20 of its 21 varsity sports. Women’s tennis and women’s track and field led the way with five inductees each, with women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and cheerleading clocking in at four inductees each.
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the most of the changes this semester “andWearemade ready for what lies ahead. ” Alexander Perlak ’20, Senior Class president
Pomp, circumstance, and social distance
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fter an unusual semester, Mount Saint Mary College was proud to recognize more than 550 graduates at its virtual Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 16. Of the graduates, 111 earned master’s degrees and 444 earned bachelor’s degrees. The graduating students hailed from 11 states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. Dr. Jason N. Adsit, president of the college, congratulated the seniors on a job well done. “Your achievements, your amazing work, should be celebrated,” he said. “I am so proud of you, your families are so proud of you, and you’re going to go on to do amazing things…These are dark moments: Be the spark, make the change, and set the world on fire. I tip my cap to you, I celebrate you – congratulations.” Alexander Perlak ’20, Senior Class president, said that the same tenacity that got the graduates through college will serve them well as they move on to the next chapters of their lives. “Many of us started our academic journeys four years ago, and we all knew it was going to be a unique experience because the Mount is such a special place,” he said. “We did it, not as
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MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
Alexander Perlak ’20
we initially planned to, but we did do it…We are adaptable. We made the most of the changes this semester and are ready for what lies ahead.” Perlak added, “Always remember, the Mount is your home away from home.” The day before Commencement, the School of Nursing honored the graduates of its prestigious program. At a virtual ceremony, Susan LaRocco, dean of the School of Nursing, congratulated the Nursing students on a job well done. “Your faculty and I could not be more proud of your accomplishments,” she said. “Not only have you persevered through a rigorous curriculum, you have provided service to the community in many ways.” Over the last four years, the 2020 Nursing
Shannon Christiano worked with with Newburgh Free Academy students last fall.
graduates assisted at local food pantries, taught young children about hospitals and nurses, and mentored high school students who are considering careers in nursing. In addition to these and other service initiatives, two dozen students from the college’s School of Nursing recently volunteered at Bon Secours Charity Health System to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Several students from the class of 2020 were recognized for excellence in their studies and dedication to the field of nursing. The award recipients were: n AMA NY Future Nurse Leader Award: Shannon Christiano n School of Nursing Clinical Excellence Award: Erica Sitler and Jessica Koch n School of Nursing Leadership Award: Vanesa Mazza n Perseverance Award: Haley Cool n General Excellence in Nursing Award: Soleil Bent n Spirit of Nursing Award: Amanda Krom and Jennifer Turci n Sigma Nursing Award: Emily Leath n The DAISY Foundation Nurse Faculty Award was presented to Linda Kelly, assistant professor of Nursing, honoring her for her dedication to the Mount and the community.
The road ahead The Fall 2020 semester at Mount Saint Mary College, and at institutions of higher learning throughout the United States, is simultaneously a return to the college experience we remember and proof that we must continue to act with both caution and compassion. Mount students, faculty, and staff are working hard to shield their fellow Knights from illness. The Mount community is wearing masks on campus, maintaining social distance whenever possible, keeping meetings small or virtual, and more. Throughout the day, main areas, classrooms, and residences halls are being cleaned regularly. First-year student Kylie Dragonetti, a Nursing major, is pleased about these new precautions. “I’m going to wear my mask, I’m going to follow every guideline I can to keep others safe and keep myself safe, and we’ll deal with what we’ve got,” she said. “It might not be exactly what we planned, but we’re still going to have fun and study hard.” Studying hard is exactly what Mount students are doing this semester, in courses that are a mixture
of online/virtual and in-person education. Through the Mount’s Hybrid Flexible (Mount Hy-Flex) model, professors are utilizing many methods of instruction, from inperson to fully online/virtual – and everything in between. Most courses are blending online and in-person elements, creating a hybrid learning experience. Mount officials are planning to remain on campus for the entire Fall 2020 semester, but the protocols are in place if this must change. Hy-Flex allows professors to more easily accommodate students who may need to quarantine. It also ensures that if a quick transition to online learning becomes necessary, it can be carried out that much more easily and efficiently than could be done on short notice. A few days into the Fall 2020 semester, Dr. Adsit posted a photo of the sun rising over the Mount campus. His caption read, “Let’s keep it going.” It was a reminder that we have not reached the end of the COVID-19 pandemic yet. But we will. And we’ll do it together.
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CLASS OF 2020
SUCCESS in these strange times
Victoria Guglielmo, Class of 2020
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ount Saint Mary College’s Class of 2020 graduated into a world rocked by COVID-19. However, even with the complications caused by the pandemic, the
new Mount graduates have found success in these strange times. 18
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CLASS OF 2020 “Do things that might scare you. You never know what you’re going to end up enjoying.”
First-gen grad goes international
V
ictoria Guglielmo, a 2020 Mount grad, is a trailblazer: Not only was she a firstgeneration college student, but she was also one of the first students to enroll in the Mount’s Criminology program. Thanks to her love for the Spanish language, Guglielmo quickly added a second major: Hispanic Studies. The move afforded her an opportunity to study abroad in Granada, Spain, where she would teach an English as a Second Language class. As a senior, Guglielmo was inspired by that study abroad experience to apply for the Peace Corps. It paid off: After the COVID-19 pandemic
subsides, she will serve as an English teacher in Costa Rica. Two majors and a minor in Art would have been enough for most students, but Guglielmo’s determination didn’t end in the classroom. She was founder and president of the First in Family Network, a campus club that helps prepare other first-generation college students for the rigors of college life; she was named a member of both the Criminology (Chi Rho Iota) and Hispanic Studies (Sigma Delta Pi) honor societies; she volunteered at the Newburgh Armory teaching an English as a Second Language (ESL) class; she was a Dominican Scholar of Hope; and more.
Guglielmo credits Jenifer LeeGonyea, associate professor of Criminology, with helping her to develop her critical thinking skills, and Kate Melody Burmon, assistant professor of Criminology, for encouraging her to study abroad in Spain. Victor Azuaje, associate professor of Spanish, “pushed me out of my comfort zones and showed me that it was possible for me to do things I never thought I could,” she added. Guglielmo’s advice to new college students speaks to what made her years at the Mount so successful: “Try new things!” she said. “Do things that might scare you. You never know what you’re going to end up enjoying.”
Kadamani lands HR job months before graduation While many of her classmates searched for the jobs that would launch their careers, Pascal Kadamani, a recent Mount grad, had started hers months before. Kadamani, who studied Psychology and Business, has been a full-time human resource assistant at Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors, D.P.C. in Mountainville, N.Y. since January. She started with the company as an intern almost exactly a year earlier, in January 2019. Human resources clicked with her, and the decision to stay in the field was an easy one, she said. “I enjoy my work so much that it’s hard for me to comprehend that it is, indeed, a full-time job,” she explained. The young grad will never forget her time at the Mount, which will always be her home away from home. “What I will miss most about the Mount is the sense of community,” she said. “It has become the thing I love most about calling myself a Knight.” www.msmc.edu
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CLASS OF 2020 Learning through adversity: teaching during a pandemic
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or teacher candidates in 2020, adaptation is the name of the game. Sarah Quade ’20, who was on the Mount five-year Education track, served her final student teaching experience at a familiar locale: the Minisink Valley Central School District in Slate Hill, N.Y., where she had earned her high school diploma five years earlier. Quade was student teaching US History and Government when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. “It was definitely an adjustment,” she explained. “Suddenly I went from seeing my students every day to only communicating via email. I was sad to not see them, but I was relieved that everyone was safe at home.” Instruction continued online, forcing Quade – and the rest of the country’s teachers – to adapt quickly.
While COVID-19 created educational hardships, it also provided an opportunity for some very unique on-the-job training. “My lessons changed from daily plans to weekly plans,” Quade said. “I started recording my lessons for students to watch at home and changed the teaching timeline overall.” The experience left some lasting impressions. For example, when planning her teaching strategies for the future, Quade will make sure that her lessons can be moved to an online format at a moment’s notice. She credited her courses at the Mount with helping to turn her into the professional she is today. “My time here has given me priceless skills and an incredible network of support,” she said. That support network included professors like Glenn Reynolds, associate professor of History; Frances Spielhagen, professor of Education; and David Gallagher, associate professor of Education. “Everyone in the History and Education departments have been so supportive and invaluable over the years,” she noted. The future looks bright for Quade, who is planning on pursuing a doctorate in History before getting back to the classroom.
Senior jumps right into accounting career Just days after graduation, Matthew Connoly, a Mount Accounting major on the five-year MBA track, began working as a staff accountant at the public accounting firm Judelson, Giordano, and Siegel (JGS), CPA, PC. The Career Center “did an excellent job of setting me up with an internship at JGS,” he said. Helping to mold Connoly into the professional he is today, he explained, were his professors: Tracey Niemotko,
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professor of Accounting; Ivan Rubel, lecturer of Accounting; Neirouz Watad, instructor of Accounting; and Michael Fox, assistant professor of Business Law, MBA coordinator, and Pre-Law advisor. Connoly is the third person in his family to have graduated from the Mount, the first two being his sisters Sarah and Cindy. Both women are currently frontline healthcare workers.
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Combining creativity and compassion Creativity, innovation, and compassion: Micaela Croniser ’20 exhibits these traits in spades. Croniser says that Nursing is one of her greatest passions. Like many of her fellow Mount grads, she’s been fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines of health care since March. Another of her loves is art, including painting (traditional and spray), drawing, and graphic design. As a Mount Nursing student, she found a way to combine these talents. When she wasn’t in class or at work at a local hospital, Croniser designed and published Everyone Goes to the Hospital from Time to Time, a 22-page coloring book for children who visit the emergency room. The book, currently being distributed at a local hospital, was designed to bring “comfort and a feeling of familiarity” to the children who must spend time in the ER, Croniser explained.
CLASS OF 2020 Cybersecurity grad earns job at West Point
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yan Bellows, a May 2020 graduate of the Mount’s Cybersecurity program, didn’t have to wait long to start working in his field: Weeks after graduating, he began a career as an information technology specialist (Security/Systems Administration) at the West Point United States Military Academy. Bellows landed the job after completing an internship at West Point. The Mount’s Career Center and Sagar Raina, assistant professor of Information Technology, helped him obtain the internship. Cybersecurity is more than just a career for Bellows – it’s a passion. In this field, every day is a new adventure, he explained. “I am mostly excited about the unknown. Cybersecurity is a relatively new field of study,” Bellows said. “I have witnessed the field’s evolution over the
course of my four-year college career alone. The ever-changing nature is what I believe keeps this career path interesting.” Offered as both an IT concentration and major, the Mount’s Cybersecurity program provides the skills to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in software, operating systems, networks, and more. “My favorite part of the Mount’s Cybersecurity program was the non-stop challenge of learning the many aspects of computer/network security,” Bellows explained. “Each challenge was difficult, but rewarding.” Bellows says he’ll never forget the contributions the Mount made to his personal and professional development. “I am going to miss everyone’s positive demeanor – and some of the best views of the Hudson River,” he noted.
Two of a kind: Mount twins head to same grad school
Twins Eleni (left) and Stefanie Drautz graduated from Mount Saint Mary College this May.
Four years ago, twins Eleni and Stefanie Drautz started their academic careers at Mount Saint Mary College. Now they’re taking on the challenges of grad school together as well. The Drautz sisters, who both studied Human Services at the Mount, began earning master’s degrees in Social Work at SUNY Stony Brook this fall. They thanked Robin Rosenberg, a career counselor with the college’s Career Center, for helping them to polish their résumés and applications, and Psychology professors Paul Schwartz and Lawrence Force for writing them recommendation letters. Going to the same college “was definitely a lot of fun, especially entering a new school and living away from home with a built-in best friend,” explained the Drautz twins.
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Alumni Notes [2]
[1]
1975
Linda Fagan Squires has retired after 35 years of service from the Dutchess County Health Department Communicable Disease Control Division. Since her retirement in 2016, Linda has assisted Sullivan County Health Department with the 2019 measles outbreak response and 2020 COVID pandemic response. She has been a Community Health Nursing clinical instructor at the Mount since 2015. Linda has been married to her husband, Harry, for 44 years. They have six children and five grandchildren. Joan Conway Sternitzke has retired and is living in upstate New York on Lake Schenevus. She enjoys kayaking and volunteering at her church and food pantry for her community. Barbara Stevens is now retired and spent seven years in bedside nursing before going to a career in the pharmaceutical industry. “My years of nursing were the best,” she notes.
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1977
Michael Vega retired from teaching after 32 years (26 years with NYC Dept. of Ed. and 6 years. with International School of Stockholm, Sweden). He achieved two master’s degrees, one in Special Education and one in International Education/Administration. He now lives in the Bronx with his wife of 35 years, Gunilla. They have two daughters, Sarah and Anna.
1982
Michael J. Fraser continues to work as a sports psychology consultant with various teams and athletes throughout the country. [1]
1987
Susan Croteau Kindley has worked as an RN for 33 years, 30 of them as an Oncology nurse. Susan has been married to a wonderful man for 11 years and is soon to be a grandma again. Her oldest stepdaughter is having a baby girl in February!
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[2]
1990
John DiChristina would like to give a big thank you to all the frontline workers. Thank you for keeping us safe and healthy. John gives a big shout out to the Class of 1990 nurses and the others that he knows well. Stay safe, and you are the best!
1996
Stephanie Betti Jackob has fully enjoyed the flexibility of the profession of nursing. While enjoying a career, she feels that she has also been able to enjoy motherhood and married life. Stephanie has worked in med-surg, stepdown, and critical care on the night shift for more than 20 years. For 15 years, she was a critical care float RN and has been in the Cardiac ICU for 5 years. She enjoys precepting new nurses, getting CCRN certified, and now starting her master’s degree. Thank you MSMC! Stephanie is grateful to be a nurse and cannot imagine any other profession!
[3]
2000
Joseph Polvere completed a master’s degree in History from the University of Nebraska. It is his third master’s degree. He is entering his 20th year of teaching.
2004
Lori Kasprzak is working for Round Point Mortgage Servicing Corporation and received a promotion to the triage department from customer service that began on July 20th. She has been there for three and a half years.
2009
Ashley Lombardi Carr is an adjunct clinical instructor at Mount Saint Mary College. Ashley has been an RN for 8 years and now NP for 3.5 years.
2010
Marissa (Stolz) Tamburi was one of the nurses honored as Hudson Valley Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing 2020.
2014
Gretchen Hafner’s paid summer program in the operating room between
Alumni Notes
[4]
junior and senior year at the Mount helped develop her mission to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. After three years of working in stepdown and critical care units as a registered nurse, she was accepted into the Rutgers CRNA program. Although the program is extremely rigorous, she knows every day that it is what she is meant to do! She is thankful to the Mount for providing her with such a strong undergraduate foundation and feels that she was adequately prepared to succeed in such a difficult graduate program.
2015
Brianne Smith recently received her degree as an adult geriatric acute care nurse practitioner. She has accepted a job at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Brianne is super excited to begin her career as an NP!
2016
Alvin Mann has been in a voluntary quarantine since mid-February. So far, so good! He is getting to appreciate his peace and quiet.
2017
Clarissa Espinosa has worked in plastic surgery at Crystal Run for a year. She now works at Garner Health on a medical telemetry/medical surgical unit and has been there for two years. Clarissa is currently working on getting her medsurg certification. Malaina Hynes has been working for the last three years as an elementary substitute teacher on Long Island with the determination to earn a position as a full-time teacher with her own classroom. In December 2019, Malaina graduated from Adelphi University, receiving a master’s degree in Literacy Education. In her spare time, she has been creating custom creations for her small business. [2]
2020
Jessica Koch is happy to announce that she has been offered a full-time position in a hospital. Caitlyn Venditti passed the NCLEX in July after graduation on the first try. Caitlyn has been hired to start at Vassar
[5]
Brothers Medical Center. She is very excited to begin her career as a nurse after four years of nursing school.
Marriages
1993
Dawn (Sempervive) Kiss married Edward Kiss on Sept. 21, 2019 at Bernard’s in Ridgefield, Conn. They went to Hawaii for a two-week honeymoon. Dawn and Edward live in Ridgefield, Conn. with their two German Shepherds, Nikita and Ellie. [3] Mary (Koutrakos) Abbott married Rick Abbott on February 2, 2020 at The NoMad Hotel in New York City. Christine (Batthany) Amen '93 was a bridesmaid. Mary is the controller for ClearDATA. Rick is the COO for Circuit of the Americas and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, a first-round draft pick for the Milwaukee Brewers, and a five-time Emmy Award winner. Mary and Rick reside in Austin, Texas. [4]
[6]
2013
Brian Klose-Koehler married Allen Koehler in Disney World this past January. The two met while working in the Admissions office at the Mount. They now live in Pennsylvania and both work for Penn State. [5]
2017
Allison Sciucco married Ryan Walsh on December 29, 2019 in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary in the Dominican Center. Fr. Gregoire Fluet officiated, and Durward Entrekin, professor of Music, provided the music. The bridal party included several alumni, including Maid of Honor Regina Zeoli ’17, as well as bridesmaids Amanda Bocekci ’17, Jessica Daigle ’17, Marissa Catania ’18, Danielle Hughes ’18, and Samantha McGregor ’18. Ryan’s brother, Kevin Walsh ’07, was a groomsman. Jack Deragon, former assistant lacrosse coach, was also a groomsman. Ryan is serving in the United States Air Force, and the couple currently reside at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, N.D. [6]
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Alumni In Memoriam Joanne (Cashdollar) Taylor ’72 passed away on July 24, 2020.
Michael Reeve, 46, brother of Kristi (Reeve) Larson ’00 and brother-in-law of Peter Larson ’00, passed away on October 31, 2019.
VOLUNTEER AT THE MOUNT
Why give back to your alma mater?
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ren’t your college days over? We don’t think so! As an alum, your voice is valuable in helping shape the future of the Mount. Have a say in how future generations experience the Mount and stay connected with your college family.
Social Media Ambassadors John Hennessy, father of Karen HennessyBernsley ’93, passed away on April 9, 2020.
Nelson Manuel Franky, father of Jason Franky ’08, MBA ’11, passed away on April 14, 2020.
William Minze, father of Ann Marie Minze Hollywood ’01 and father-in-law to Tom Hollywood ’02, passed away on April 28, 2020.
Cheryl E. Robinson ’84 passed away on June 22, 2020.
This is the perfect opportunity for busy alumni who want to give back, but don’t have the time or ability to make it to campus to attend meetings. The Alumni Association Social Media Committee assists with keeping fellow Knights connected and in the know. Volunteers will be asked to post/share events and college news on their social media platforms. A simple and easy way to give back!
Regional Ambassadors We’re proud to have Mount alumni all around the country! Help keep the connection between local Knights and the college by planning and hosting fun, low-key regional events and activities. Don’t worry — we’ll help you plan! Our regional ambassadors also act as liaisons between alumni and the college and are encouraged to attend a semi-annual conference call to keep informed.
Alumni Reunion Weekend Committee Help plan the biggest alumni event of the year! Members of our Alumni Reunion Weekend Committee assist by offering feedback and helping plan events for Alumni Weekend, reaching out to classmates to encourage them to attend, and assist with fundraising efforts for their reunion class gift. Participation in conference call meetings to plan are required.
Dennis Shannon, father of Nicholas Shannon ’03, passed away on June 24, 2020.
Hire a Mount intern/alum
James T. Siddle, brother of Donna (Siddle) Borcherdt ’69, passed away on August 11, 2020.
Alumni Admission Program
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Do you have an internship or open job position? Consider a Mount student! Join the MSMC Knight Network database and share your listing with qualified Mount candidates.
Share your love of the Mount with prospective students! Our Alumni Admission Program offers enthusiastic alumni the chance to connect with future Mount students to share their experiences and spread the word about this amazing hidden gem of the Hudson Valley. Volunteers assist at regional college fairs and information sessions as well as speak at admitted student events. Training is provided; just bring your passion for MSMC!
MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
Looking Back
Santacroce's legacy of love
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any Mount alumni knew Lorraine Santacroce, former athletic director at the college, as Coach.
Santacroce, an honoree in this year’s Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away in September of 2020, leaving behind a long legacy of love and dedication. She began her tenure as athletic director during the college’s early days in 1961. Santacroce taught volleyball, tennis, bowling, and basketball and coached cheerleading, in addition to establishing a basketball team. In 1969, Santacroce’s aid gave that basketball team the edge they needed to earn an important tournament victory. Although Santacroce left the Mount in 1979, she remained in close contact with her students and the Dominican Sisters. Over the years, she
donated the benches at the south end of the Dominican Center, the flagpole at the baseball field, and the jackets the women’s basketball team wears today. She also established a scholarship for Sports Management students. A true Knight for life, she was often at Mount home games, cheering on our teams. “I want people to know that I loved what I did for the Mount,” Santacroce said in a recent interview with the college. “I was very enthusiastic in all that I did because of love. I worked with excellent administrators, excellent parents, and excellent students. I love Mount Saint Mary.” www.msmc.edu
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Mount Saint Mary College 330 Powell Avenue Newburgh, NY 12550
SAVE THE DATE
MSMC
ANNUAL
Gala
Join us in person or virtually! Saturday, December 5, 2020 msmc.edu/gala
