Mount Saint Mary College Magazine Winter 2021-22 by Mount Saint Mary College

NEWBURGH, NEW YORK

On the Road Again

Taylor Walton ’15 pursues her passion for photography and travel while working remotely

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Entrepreneurs seize the moment New programs for creative careers Families and alumni return to the Mount

WINTER 2021-22

Kayaking at sunset Students enjoyed an evening on the Hudson River in September.

Inside 4 6 9 14 20 28 30 34 36

New Programs News and Notes Community Wellness On the Road Mount Entrepreneurs MSMC Knights

Annual Gala Alumni Weekend Alumni Notes

Cover photo by Taylor Walton ’15 Volume 43, No. 2 EDITORIAL TEAM Dean DiMarzo MBA ’13 Lee Ferris Matt Frey ’05 MSEd ’10 Lauren Giacalone Noelle Martin Sten Miller Perkins CONTRIBUTORS Michael Doughty Michelle Iacuessa ’94

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

President Adsit had a great time catching up with Mount families at Family Weekend in October.

Letter from the President To the Mount Saint Mary College Community, This pandemic has brought its share of challenges as we all strive to learn, grow, and make progress toward our goals while still keeping our family and friends healthy. As our college community works to move forward as well, we are keenly aware of how this unusual time is impacting our students, and we are doubly committed to providing the environment and tools that they need to flourish and succeed. The Fall 2021 semester was our closest yet to a pre-pandemic campus environment, with very few cases of COVID-19 recorded on campus and the vast majority of courses taking place in person. More than 94 percent of our students and more than 85 percent of our employees are fully vaccinated, and that number continues to rise. While we remain vigilant about COVID-19, we have not lost sight of the future. This magazine issue is bursting with examples of how our community continues to move forward: Read on to see how students and alumni opened their dream businesses – from restaurants, to shops, to services – during the pandemic. You’ll also see how new programs in Graphic Design, Sports Journalism, Health Informatics, and additional 5-year MBA tracks offer our students new opportunities. The Dominican Sisters who founded Mount Saint Mary College built a legacy of service that continues to guide us today. This winter we are excited to launch the Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness with its new director, lifelong Newburgh resident Genesis Ramos. The center will house free healthcare programs, workshops, and more for our local community while providing impactful service learning opportunities for our students. We’re incredibly excited to see what the future holds for our students, our alumni, and our entire community. Dr. Jason N. Adsit President of Mount Saint Mary College www.msmc.edu

New Programs

at the birth of the program allows us the freedom to “Being explore and experiment as we define our own path... ”

Christopher Neyen, associate professor of Art and Graphic Design

Preparing the next generation of

creatives F

rom a cozy coffee shop’s logo, to those cool stickers small businesses leave out on their counter, to the graphics behind a beautifully designed video game – graphic design is the backbone to so much of what we visually consume every day. In a culture constantly seeking fresh visual content, skilled graphic artists are in high demand, and the Mount is committed to teaching the next generation of creatives how to be successful in the growing field of graphic design. Our Communication, Art, and Digital Media (CADM) program recently added Visual Communication-Graphic Design to their list of majors. Graphic Design majors will study visual communication with an emphasis on conceptual problem-solving and technical proficiency. They’ll learn to create and develop purposeful forms of visual art and how to apply this skill to various career paths, such as content creation, advertising, web design, and more. Students won’t just hone their craft as graphic artists, they’ll learn how to visually

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

communicate effectively and how to use that skill to inspire audiences with their work. The Graphic Design program is spearheaded by Christopher Neyen, associate professor of Art and Graphic Design and CMA Gallery coordinator. “Being at the birth of the program allows us the freedom to explore and experiment as we define our own path, one that is rich in inventiveness,” he said. “The discipline is imbued with passion and provides the opportunity to learn from history while envisioning what the future can be in how we communicate visually.” Also joining the CADM program lineup is the new concentration in Sports Journalism. For those who have a passion for writing and a love of sports, becoming a sports writer might just be their dream career. Regina Pappalardo, associate professor of Journalism, explained, “Students in this concentration will get a strong foundation in the skills that all reporters need – interviewing, research, writing, and producing – and then we’ll build upon that foundation by develop-

Students in [the Sports Journalism] concentration will get “a strong foundation in the skills that all reporters need ... ”

Regina Pappalardo, associate professor of Journalism Mount students Emily Gursky and Ashley Thomaz on the air in the Knight Radio booth. Below left: Christopher Neyen, associate professor of Art and Graphic Design, speaks at the opening of a student art exhibit.

More new programs 5-year undergraduate to MBA programs Students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, English, Healthcare Management, Mathematics, and Sports Management are now able to seamlessly transition from their undergraduate program into the MBA program – completing both degrees within five years.

ing those skills particular to Sports Journalism careers, including commentary, play-by-play, medical and financial implications, etc.” Sports Journalism students will also learn the role journalists play in our society and how that role specifically applies to the sports industry. The Mount has added a diverse range of new programs within the past year, including undergraduate majors in Exercise Science, Sports

Management, and an interdisciplinary program called Humanities@ Work; undergraduate Information Technology concentrations in Human Computer Interaction and Health Informatics; Cybersecurty certificate programs; various PreHealth Professional programs; a Nursing Master’s concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health; and new majors added to the 5-year undergraduate to MBA programs.

Health Informatics – Information Technology (IT) concentration Students study how to collect, store, retrieve, and analyze complex health data, enhancing what they learn in their general IT classes. By learning how to efficiently organize and manage these data systems to improve patient care, this concentration prepares students for professional careers that make a positive impact in the healthcare industry.

www.msmc.edu

News&Notes

McCorvey leads unified Student Wellness Center

lisha McCorvey, EdD was recently named the executive director of Student Health and Wellness, as well as Interim Vice President for Students. She was appointed to her current positions in the late summer of 2021. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to utilize my 25 years of experience in mental health, disability services, administration, and education to lead the student wellness offices and initiatives across campus,” said McCorvey. “I believe in a holistic and prevention-based approach to student wellness, developing the whole person intellectually, artistically, socially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We ask a lot of our students: to be conscientious and questioning, to be open to new ideas, and to be a willing participant in our community; and to do this, they need to feel their very best mentally, emotionally, and physically” As executive director of Student Health and Wellness, McCorvey is responsible for a team of nurses, mental health professionals, and disability personnel whose focus is on health, mental health, accommodation services, wellness promotion, and education. She provides leadership and program direction of the center, implements and assesses programs and initiatives focused on student wellness, and provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to an umbrella of student wellness areas including the Office of Health Services, Counseling Services, and the Office of Disability Services. This role is key to planning, developing,

a “lotWeof ask our

students ... they need to feel their very best mentally, emotionally, and physically.

”

Alisha McCorvey, EdD

maintaining, and evaluating the holistic mental health and well-being of our students. While serving as the interim VP for Students, she also assists in the planning, administration, and leadership of Student Affairs; provides leadership in planning, human resources, and policy development for all reporting departments; and more. McCorvey has served at the Mount since 2017, first as director of Disability Services and then as executive director of Counseling and Disability Services. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at the college, teaching courses in Education and Social Sciences. McCorvey earned an EdD in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Fordham University; an Advanced Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education; a Master of Social Work from Marywood University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz. She also holds a license in Clinical Social Work, School Building Leader Certification, School District Leadership Certification, and School Social Worker Certification.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Pettus named director of Health Services Deirdre Pettus BSN, RN, CRRN, a 2018 graduate of the Mount, returned to her alma mater as director of Health Services in October of 2021. Pettus oversees the college’s Health Services office, which aids students in their health management and hosts events that promote wellness and healthy living. “To work here at Mount Saint Mary College is such a blessing to me,” said Pettus. “I feel so appreciative that I have been given the opportunity to work with the students, faculty, and staff. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming.” She added, “As a mother of four children…I have seen the struggles and triumphs of these students and I want to be part of their journey. I want to help these students with their health and wellness.” Pettus comes to the Mount from Garnet Health Medical Center (previously known as Orange Regional Medical Center) in Middletown, N.Y. where she served for more than 20 years as a referral specialist for Inpatient Rehabilitation Services. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Mount and an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from SUNY Orange. Becoming the director of Health Services “has brought me full circle,” Pettus said. Pettus takes over for Doreen Bischof, RN, BSN, who helped to guide the Mount through the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time Bischof passed the torch to Pettus, more than 94 percent of Mount students were vaccinated and 100 percent were compliant with the college’s COVID-19 policy.

Left to right: Nursing students Constance Taibi of Astoria, Anna Grasso of New Fairfield, Conn., Alyssa Esteves of Mahopac, and Gema Vidals-Herrera of Newburgh.

Business, healthcare management pros share their experiences

he School of Business hosted a pair of powerful panels during the Fall 2021 semester, featuring local business and healthcare leaders. The first panel, “Hospitality and Event Management in the Age of COVID and Beyond,” featured leaders in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Panelists discussed topics including the impacts of COVID-19 on their industry, efforts to move forward, and exciting opportunities that present themselves for future growth and activity across the Hudson Valley. Michael L. Fox, assistant professor of Business Law and MBA Coordinator at the college, moderated the panel. The panel members were Rob Affuso, president of Soulsystem Orchestras and former drummer for the band Skid Row; Susan Eisma, director of Human Resources for Legoland N.Y.; J’Rod Lang, owner of Blacc Vanilla Coffee Shop & Roasters; Bob Provost, president and CEO of NYS Tourism Industry Association; R. Scott Russell, assistant professor of Sports Management; Rick Zolzer, vice president of the HV Renegades; and Stephen Vittoria, marketing director of Turk Hospitality Group.

The second panel featured industry professionals discussing important topics from Healthy People 2030, the Health and Human Services’ national 10-year plan for addressing our most critical public health priorities and challenges. It was moderated by Dr. Cathy Rehfus-Wilsek, associate professor of Healthcare Management and MBA practicum coordinator. Hospital presidents, healthcare executives, academic professionals, and community leaders discussed topics ranging from how to increase the interprofessional education of health professions through curriculum development to what Mount students can do to provide prevention services within the community. Panel members were Dan Maughan, president and COO of Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital; Christine Berté, School of Nursing dean; Christian Plaza (owner) and Kyle Russo (manager), Cross Valley Health and Medicine; Steven Kelley, president and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital; and Col. Alicia A. Madore, deputy commander of Nursing & Health Services, Keller Army Community Hospital.

Nursing students share health info Students from the School of Nursing recently provided cancer screening information to the Newburgh community at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. The effort was in collaboration with Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital. Four undergraduate Nursing students spoke to members of the local community, who were attending the Armory’s Saturday morning programming, about lung, breast, and colon cancer. The students provided evidence-based information on poster boards and Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall provided information for screening services offered through the hospital. Anne-Marie Uebbing, associate professor of Nursing at the Mount, “has been instrumental in forming this partnership with patient education and patient navigators through the hospital,” noted Linda Kelly, assistant professor of Nursing at the college. Mount Nursing students consistently score well on the NCLEX-RN test. For example, May 2021 graduates of the college attained a 90 percent pass rate, which was well above the state average for that period. www.msmc.edu

News&Notes

A new dean for Nursing

hristine Berté was recently named dean of the Mount’s School of Nursing. As the dean, Berté provides vision and oversight for the School of Nursing, working with faculty to ensure that the curriculum provides students with opportunities to begin or enhance their nursing career. One of her major goals is to expand the Nursing programs available to Mount students. For example, the Mount recently began offering a new Master of Science in Nursing and Post-Master’s Certificate Nursing track: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, which focuses on care for clients of all ages and backgrounds. Berté will continue to maintain the community relationships that were started under the previous dean, Susan LaRocco, as well as forging new ones. It’s also very important, Berté added, to foster professional development of faculty, including scholarly

is a Family Nurse Practitioner with a post-master’s certificate as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Her main focus of practice has been incarcerated juveniles in Connecticut. She has been part of a dedicated Christine Berté team that achieved accreditation in the work and research. juvenile facilities, thus ensuring a “I have been mentored by very high level of medical and behavioral good professionals. And now, at this care to this special population. point in my career, I want to give Her teaching specialties include back,” Berté explained. “I want to maternal-child and psychiatric nursgrow our faculty, I want to see them ing in both graduate and undergradachieve, and I want them to explore uate programs, along with courses areas of academia that they might not designed to develop the role and have realized yet.” theoretical framework of Advanced Berté, who became a full-time Practice nursing. Mount Nursing professor in 2015, Recently Berté was awarded previously served as chairperson of the Daisy Award for Outstandthe School of Nursing and coordinaing Faculty, given by the Mount’s tor of the college’s graduate NursSchool of Nursing. She also earned a ing program. She holds an EdD in Certified Nurse Educator credentialNursing Education from Western ing through the National League of Connecticut State University and Nursing.

Mount recognized for Nursing and social mobility

ount Saint Mary College is proud to be named a top 100 school in the 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. On U.S. News and World Report’s comprehensive lists of top-tier regional universities, the Mount was ranked number 94 in Regional Universities North. These rankings assess academic quality, including first-year student retention and graduation of students; student excellence; graduation rate; and more. The Mount also clocked in as one of the 2022 Best Colleges in two additional categories. In Social Mobility: Regional Universities North, the Mount was ranked number 66. This measures how well schools gradu-

ated students who received federal Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come from economically disadvantaged households. The Mount was also ranked a top school in the organization’s national ranking of Best Undergraduate Nursing programs.

Additional accolades The Mount was also ranked seventh on College Factual’s 2022 Best

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Human Services Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. College Factual looked at 105 colleges and universities in the United States when compiling the ranking. In addition, College Factual ranked the Mount in the top 90 on their 2022 Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools. For this list, College Factual reviewed 600 schools in the U.S. Meanwhile, Grad Degree Search named the college number four in the category of Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. According to Grad Degree Search, the Mount earned this ranking by offering an affordable, quality education to students interested in Nursing.

Focused on community

Ramos takes helm as new wellness center prepares to launch

he Mount recently appointed lifelong Newburgh resident Genesis Ramos as executive director of the Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness. “It’s an amazing opportunity that the college is embarking on and it’s truly an honor to be at the helm of it,” said Ramos. “There is a critical need for this in our community.” The Desmond Center will be located on the college’s campus in what is currently Guzman Hall and will provide medical and educational services for low income individuals and families, including the uninsured. The center will offer educational workshops, family counseling services, fitness checks, immunizations, professional development events, and more for local residents. It will also house the college’s Desmond programing for adult enrichment. As the executive director of the Desmond Center, Ramos will oversee the staffing, program development, and community outreach, among other responsibilities. The position is a perfect fit for her, she notes, because of her background in healthcare administration and her desire to serve the city she loves. “Newburgh is home and near and dear to my heart,” said Ramos, who recently became the first woman of color elected to the Orange County Legislature. “A lot of this is about the invaluable experience I’ve been able to gain over the past decade and really wanting to bring it back home. I want to elevate our community

Above: A rendering showing one of the center’s versatile spaces.

I want to elevate our “community and the healthcare outcomes in our community.

”

Genesis Ramos

and the healthcare outcomes in our community.” Community has always been important to Ramos. In addition to being elected to the Orange County State Legislature, she currently serves as chair of the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission; co-chair of the Economic Development Committee in Newburgh; and as a member of both the Safe Harbors of the Hudson Board of Directors and the Newburgh Ministry’s Board of Directors. George Abaunza, vice president

for Academic Affairs at the Mount, headed the search committee for the Desmond Center position. Ramos’s knowledge of, and commitment to, the Newburgh community made her an excellent fit for the role, Abaunza noted. “Ms. Ramos has the skills necessary to help make this new venture successful for both the college and the local community,” he said. Ramos comes to the Mount from Sun River Healthcare, formerly known as Hudson River Healthcare. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a Public Management Concentration from Marist College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Human Services Concentration from SUNY New Paltz; and an Associate of Science in Human Services from SUNY Orange.

www.msmc.edu

News&Notes

Moved by faith and forgiveness

She opened my eyes to “how hardships impact people in different ways. ”

mmaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and a New York Times best-selling author, inspired an audience of about 100 people with her journey of survival and forgiveness. Ilibagiza was born and raised in a small village in Rwanda, Africa. The assassination of the Hutu president on April 6, 1994 sparked months of massacres of Tutsi tribe members throughout the country – known today as the Rwandan Genocide. She and seven other women hid in the local pastor’s bathroom for the next 91 days. During the ordeal, Ilibagiza turned to prayer. With the exception of one of her brothers, her entire family was murdered, along with one million of her fellow Rwandans. When Ilibagiza later met one of the men who killed her family, she forgave him.

Kaitlyn Corrigan, Mount student

Rwandan Genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza with Fr. Gregoire Fluet, chaplain and director of Campus Ministry.

“The talk was extremely powerful,” said Fr. Gregoire Fluet, college chap-

lain and director of Campus Ministry. He was touched by the message of forgiveness as empowering, as well as Ilibagiza’s “incredible insight...that the people who hurt us often do not fully understand what they are doing, because they are blinded by anger and hatred.” Kaitlyn Corrigan of North Massapequa, N.Y., a sophomore and executive vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), said “Immaculée was very inspiring to me.” “She opened my eyes to how hardships impact people in different ways,” Corrigan explained. “I now have a different outlook on struggles others face as well as myself and will restore that compassion, forgiveness, and faith into my life from now on.”

Faculty artwork on display The Mount’s CMA Gallery is hosting a dynamic exhibition of photography, painting, ceramics, and mixed media showcasing the work of the Mount’s visual arts faculty. The Communication, Art, and Digital Media 2021 Faculty Exhibition features the works of Dean Goldberg, professor of Digital Media and Film Studies, and Director of the Communication, Art, and Digital Media (CADM) program; Chris Neyen, associate professor of Art and Graphic Design, and CMA Gallery Coordinator; and several adjunct professors. The exhibition will run through February 24, 2022 and is located in Aquinas Hall. For more information on the CMA Gallery exhibits, visit www.msmc.edu/CMAgallery

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

gave our congregation the “Agnes unreserved gift of herself. ”

Sr. Connie Koch, OP speaking about Sr. Agnes Boyle

Members of the Mount community gathered for the Founders Day celebration.

Celebrating the Mount’s founders

he Founders Day celebrations honored the legacy of St. Dominic de Guzman and the Dominican Sisters who founded the college. The events were sponsored by the Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI) and facilitated by Charles Zola, CDI director, assistant to the President for Mission Integration, and associate professor of Philosophy. Students enjoyed a dessert reception and learned about the innumerable contributions St. Dominic made to Christianity more than 800 years ago. It was the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh who, following in St. Dominic’s footsteps, founded the Mount in 1959. Later that evening, Mount faculty, staff, and about a dozen Dominican Sisters celebrated the life of Sr. Agnes Boyle OP, who served the college for nearly 50 years. She passed away in

November of 2019. At the reception, the vice president for Academic Affairs office was dedicated in honor of Sr. Boyle, who was best known for her tenure as vice president of Academic Advancement. Mount trustee and 1971 alumna Sr. Connie Koch, OP offered an opening prayer for the ceremony. “Agnes gave our congregation the unreserved gift of herself,” said Sr. Koch. “She will always be a part of us, and we are so much the better for that.” Sr. Catherine (Cass) McDonell OP, prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Hope and 1969 Mount graduate, discussed the impact Sr. Boyle had on the Mount and her fellow sisters. That night, CDI hosted the Founders Day Lecture, “Living Truth” by Ann Garrido, an associate professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Mo.

Watch faculty research series on YouTube

he Mount’s Investigating Research on Campus (iROC) series held another semester of passionate presentations, many of which are available for viewing on YouTube. iROC provides a forum for faculty, staff, and students to showcase their research endeavors with the college and local communities. Presentations this semester included: • “Humanitarian, War Correspondent, and Great American Novelist: Edith Wharton and World War I,” by Nancy Von Rosk, professor of English • “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Sport” by R. Scott Russell, assistant professor of Sports Management • “Analogies or Differences: Dickensian Déjà vu in Two Tales by Henry James” by Peter Witkowsky, associate professor of English/chair of the Division of Arts & Letters and alumna Elizabeth Hill-Caruso • “Helping teachers say ‘iROCk supporting CoLab-orative teams!’” by Micah Modell, assistant professor of Information Technology • “Sustainability Accounting and Reporting: The Evolution of Management Accountability” by Tracey Niemotko and Moira Tolan, professors of Business

iROC videos To see videos from iROC presentations and more, visit www.msmc.edu/WatchiROC

www.msmc.edu

News&Notes

Seniors snag trophy during Spirit Week

hile donning capes and t-shirts with Superman’s signature “S,” the senior class claimed victory at the 2021 Mount Olympics. The games were part of the college’s annual Spirit of the Mount Week, which features a variety of events celebrating the Mount, its students, and the college’s rich history. In keeping with the longstanding tradition, Spirit Week wrapped up with the Annual Bonfire. It warmed

the students’ spirits as they enjoyed fall foods and carnival games. The event included performances from the college’s cheerleading and dance teams, among other entertainment.

Mount professors and students hiked Mount Beacon.

Exploring the great outdoors From steep hikes to kayak trips, the Mount community did much to enjoy the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley during the Fall 2021 semester.

Top left: The Super Seniors took home the Mount Olympics trophy. Above: Mack the Knight greeted the cheer team at the Annual Bonfire.

School of Business students pitched a product or idea to a panel of judges at their Shark Tank event during the Mount’s Family Weekend.

Mount families get a glimpse of the Knight life

Students kayaked on the Hudson.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Students introduced their families to campus life during the Mount’s Family Weekend in October. It was packed with events that showcased the vibrant campus community, including a walking tour, a club fair, and more.

Back in the spotlight

From left, Kaeley Langan, Genie Polycarpe, and Blai Ulloa.

he Fall 2021 semester saw the triumphant return to the stage for the Mount’s theatre program with Everything Will Be Alright, a series of short plays written and performed by alumni, current students, and faculty. With the COVID-19 pandemic putting the brakes on live performances for nearly two years, James Phillips, associate professor of Theatre, was pleased to see the theatre program return to its in-person roots. During the Summer of 2020, some of Phillips’s former and current students workshopped several short plays. “The writing was a way to maintain theatre and community through 2020, but the enticement for the writers was the promise of a fully realized production,” Philips explained. Everything Will Be Alright featured six short plays that take a look at life during the pandemic, from the mundane to the supernatural. Hail Mary by Jessica Romaniello, a current Mount junior, follows two tenants living in a cramped apartment building. They form a close re-

Professor James Phillips.

lationship by speaking to each other through the thin walls, but things don’t end well when one comes down with the virus. “It means the world to me to be given this opportunity,” said Romaniello. I’ve loved theatre for such a long time, so to actually be the one who is having their work performed is unreal.” Roommate Bonding Activities by Joe Certa ’17 is about two roommates who accidentally summon a demon when trying out a new quarantine time killer. Once the demon arrives, the roommates must confront the issues they’ve been bottling up. “I thought of how many of us were stuck inside and spending much more time with our partners, family, and roommates,” said Certa. “It was

easy for little things to spiral into huge problems. But, this made us actually have to work out the things we might have otherwise ignored.” Phase 47 by Lauren Roberts ’10 (formerly Thayer) takes a humorous look at how the world reopened: “Everything was categorized by phases, and every phase was meant to be better than the last,” she said. “By the time we enter phase 47, there are so many rules that people can’t keep track of them anymore, so everyone wears government issued shock collars.” I, Elizabeth by Rebecca Ferretti ’16 (formerly Gordils) is about a man and woman whose wedding plans are up in the air, which causes tension in the relationship. The play was inspired by some real-life events, as Ferretti and her husband, John, had to postpone their own wedding in 2020. Not to worry: the couple, who met in one of Phillips’s theatre classes in 2014, were married in September 2021 – with Phillips officiating. Other short plays in the production included Where Am I? by Lily Chimenti ’19 and The Quarantine Book Club by Erin-Therese Vecchi ’13. www.msmc.edu

On the Road Again

Alumna finds a fulfilling balance of travel, photography, and remote work

Photos by Taylor Walton

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

From a “personal perspective, it’s been such a blessing for my restless soul.

aylor Walton is living a life most people could only dream about. Her work days are a lot like anyone else’s, noted the 2015 Mount grad. She wakes up, goes to work, and then enjoys her evenings. “The one difference is, the place isn’t always the same,” she explained. While the pandemic introduced a lot of us to the concept of working remotely, Walton has had that option for years. But instead of spending her days at her dining room table or home office, she hit the road in her souped-up van and began traveling throughout the United States, with her work computer – and her camera – at her side. And it all started with an internship she got with a little help from the Mount’s Career Center.

Life is a Highway

Walton is a Senior Actuarial Analyst at ConnectiCare, a Connecticut-based health insurance company. It entails, among many other responsibilities, analyzing data to determine what price the company needs to set for future premiums. “It’s fascinating because you're trying to predict the unpredictable,” Walton said, adding that she is thankful to Mount Math professors Jennifer Bready, Lee Fothergill, and Mike Daven for “cultivating my love for math, which grew into my career.” In the summer of 2014, Walton did so well at her internship with ConnectiCare that the company offered her a full-time position. With a little help from Bready and Monica Merritt, associate professor of Education, Walton was able to rearrange her courses and started working for ConnectiCare in January of 2015. In a preview of things to come, she finished her two remaining Mount classes online. “I guess I’ve always been into doing things remotely,” she observed. From 2016 through 2017, Walton transitioned to a fully remote work schedule. As someone who thrives on freedom, natural lighting, and travel, the switch has been a game changer.

”

Taylor Walton ’15

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “If anything, I work more because I don’t have a commute to worry about and I have a setup I can jump on at any time, so it’s easier to put in extra hours. From a personal perspective, it’s been such a blessing for my restless soul.” Originally from Avon, Conn., Walton has traveled far and wide while working remotely. From the historical landmarks of Massachusetts to the fresh water springs of Florida (and everywhere in between), she has seen places and things people wouldn’t believe. For example, the calmness and beauty of Acadia National Park makes it by far one of her favorite places in the Lower 48. “It took my breath away,” said Walton. “There’s a magic that lingers in the air and that I swear you can physically see all around you. Being so removed from everything, it’s untouched and wild and free.” The best part, she explained, is the stars: “I’ve never seen so many in my life. It’s so dark and every star gets to shine there. I went on a 4 a.m. hike and spent most of my time looking at the sky.” Also ranking high for Walton is Washington state. “It’s just so full of nature,” she explained. “You walk outside and see these beautiful massive mountain ranges off in the distance and you can’t help but be reminded of how tiny you are and how amazing this world is.” Through it all, Walton’s Nikon DSLR camera has come along for the ride. A talented photographer, Walton has documented her one of a kind journey from day one. The results, as seen in this article, are nothing short of stunning. www.msmc.edu

Photos from Walton’s travels across the U.S.

Go Your Own Way

So how does one go from college grad to Carmen Van-Diego? Ironically, Walton’s life of travel was born from her desire to settle down. “I’ve been in love with tiny living and tiny houses since I was a teenager,” she said. “I would talk about getting a tiny house all the time.” For the uninitiated, tiny houses are just what they sound like: homes of less than 400 square feet that offer the same commodities as a normal house by utilizing all available space as efficiently as possible. In the last decade or so, thanks in part to television shows like Tiny House Nation and Tiny House Hunters, the movement has gained a lot of traction. It was a beautiful dream, but one that Walton thought she might never fulfill. “It was one of those things you want to do so badly, but there’s that part of you that holds you back, that’s scared because it’s not the norm,” she said. And so, she tried the norm. After finishing her degree at the Mount, Walton moved to Boston, which brought new opportunities for her photography, new friends, and new adventures. But it wasn’t long – only about a year – before Walton began to feel like she had outgrown that life. Her tiny house dream was calling again, but so too was her passion for travel. “No matter where I was, I always wanted to get out and explore and see what the world had to show me,” said Walton. “For the first two years out of college, I almost always had a suitcase packed for some trip and was flying coast

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

to coast, but living out of a suitcase gets old.” How does one reconcile the desire to travel, but also to have a familiar space all one’s own? Simple, said Walton. Live the van life. It’s “a space that’s cozy, comforting, and safe no matter where I [am] – a tiny house on wheels!” With the support of her friends and family, Walton and her father headed to a dealership, bought a van, and Walton started down the rabbit hole of converting it into a mobile living space. “After months of research, lots of tears, and help from my family, I had a home I could travel in,” she said.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Stuck in a Moment

While the COVID-19 pandemic had little impact on Walton’s work, it slammed a roadblock on her personal life. When the pandemic was declared, she had just started a cross country trip with the goal of settling on the West Coast. Just as the country went on lockdown, Walton rolled into Florida to visit some family members. “Everything shut down and everyone was staying put, waiting to see what would come next,” Walton noted. “Traveling wasn't much of an option anymore.” Three months went by as Walton laid low in the Sunshine State, but there was no end to the pandemic in sight. During that time, she suffered another blow: Her grandma passed away. With the pandemic still raging and her family coming to terms with their loss, she hopped in her van and set her sights on familiar territory. “We as a family had mourning and healing to do, and for us, it was best done together,” she said. “So instead of continuing my trip, I headed back to the Northeast to be with my family.” One of Walton’s favorite places has always been one that’s close to home: The Jersey Shore. In those summer pandemic months, she spent her days fixing up her grandmother’s summer house on the shore. “It was a way to keep the sadness at bay and honor her at the same time,” Walton said. “In hindsight, it all happened for a reason. I ended up meeting my significant other, who’s not only embraced all that I am, but he’s also embraced van life! I'm so grateful for the ways life redirects us and for the reminder that the best things can be born from the toughest times.”

Walton’s travels took her to many scenic locations.

You’re My Home

Things are up in the air at the moment, with Walton still living in New Jersey. “My life has changed a lot since I started this journey, but nowadays I’m almost always with or near family,” she explained “This gives me a stationary, consistent place to work, but after work and on days off, holidays, and weekends are when I make sure to get out and explore!” With her boyfriend Ryan at her side and the country opening up again, the future looks bright for Walton. After all, a new journey is always just a tank of gasoline away.

“Even as I look forward and have begun the process of putting down some roots for myself, I know I’ll always be escaping on adventures,” Walton said. “It’s something my soul needs and I’ll forever make sure we get it.”

www.msmc.edu

Our newest entrepreneurs is kind “of...Marketing like evangelization. Jesus is the brand. ”

Emily Ricci, founder of Gloriam Marketing, LLC, relaying an observation from her pastor

hroughout the rich history of the Mount, there has been no shortage of alumni who use what they learn at the college to go into business for themselves. Colm Sullivan ’84 became owner and president of Sullivan Steel Services, Inc.; Audra Woodruff Smith ’04 cofounded the media company Turn Card Content; and Jeremy Smith ’06, a Mount trustee, founded communications company SKYWIREme.com. These are just a few out of dozens of examples. Even in the present day, the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t put a dent in our graduates’ entrepreneurial drive and spirit. From providing valuable services to shops of all sorts, Mount alumni – and even some current students – are pushing ahead with their dreams of success.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Running a business “during nap times Marketing evangelization in the digital age

In a way, it all started with a single Facebook page. Emily (DiBiase) Ricci ’15 sat at her computer on the night of August 11, 2016, putting the finishing touches on the first social media page for Gloriam Marketing, LLC, a Catholic marketing and creative agency. When the page went live, Gloriam was born. “That’s the moment it felt official,” explained Ricci, president and founder of the company. Gloriam combines Ricci’s devotion and vast knowledge of her Christian faith with the formidable marketing skills she learned at the Mount. Through Gloriam, Ricci works with Catholic churches, schools, and businesses everywhere to provide marketing services focused on evangelization. From email and social media marketing to web design and content development, Gloriam helps Catholic organizations to better promote themselves, their faith, and their community offerings. The idea to start Gloriam came from a conversation Ricci had with her pastor about her love of marketing. “Well, marketing is kind of like evangelization,” he observed. “Jesus is the brand.” “That just resonated with me ever since,” Ricci said. Since that August night in 2016, Gloriam has served almost 100 churches, businesses, and ministries, with the company’s calendar booking out months in advance. After earning a Master’s in Theology from Augustine Institute, Ricci made Gloriam her full-time job. The business continues to expand as she has recently taken on a business partner as well. Not only is Gloriam growing, but so has Ricci’s family – the entire business is conducted from her home, while caring for her toddler, Emma. “Running a business during nap times and after bedtime is certainly

and after bedtime is certainly a challenge, but a beautiful one.

”

a challenge, but a beautiful one,” she noted. “I’m really proud that this little dream I had right out of college is now a thriving, female and momowned business in a largely male field.” Ricci made her mark on the Mount as a student – from Campus Ministry to her excellent academic performance – and later as a member of the college’s faculty and staff. Not long after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and minors in Religious Studies and Public Relations, she joined the college’s Marketing and Communications department. In less than two years, she earned two major promotions, ascending to Assistant Director of Digital Communications. She also served as an adjunct professor at the Mount, teaching Introduction to New Testament and Introduction to Theology. And the Mount, she noted, made quite a mark on her: “The Mount gave me the confidence I needed to become a business owner. It was at the Mount that I learned to dream big dreams and chase after them. It was at the Mount too that I learned how to look at faith from an academic perspective, something I’d never really encountered before outside of religious education growing up.”

She added, “Before my college experience, I never could have imagined that I’d own a business one day.” Ricci credits her Mount professors with fostering her interest in marketing, helping her discover her confidence, and deepening her faith and commitment to service. One professor who had a major impact on her was Robert Miller, associate professor of Religious Studies, Chair of the Division of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and now, godfather to Ricci’s daughter. “Robert Miller was my mentor from day one; he opened up the Bible to me in a way I’d never considered before and encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree in Theology,” Ricci explained. “Without his guidance, I definitely would not be able to integrate the faith so deeply into my work as I am today.” Back when she first published the Gloriam Facebook page, Ricci didn’t know that her company would become such an important part of her life. She also didn’t know that Aaron Ricci ’16, her best friend, would propose to her on the Mount campus the very next day. It’s been a sort of real life fairy tale for the pair that would have them both living, as they say, happily ever after. But that’s a story for another time. www.msmc.edu

Ya Shot is something that my brother and I wanted to do for a while. “ItShoot was one of our dreams. The pandemic gave [us] time to work on this dream. ” Joseph Borden ’16 MBA ‘17

Joe’s juice bar

In both sports and business, you’ve got to be in it to win it. And Joseph Borden ’16 MBA ’17 is playing for keeps. The phrase “Shoot Ya Shot” might evoke images of sinking a threepointer from downtown, but it’s also the name of the juice bar that Borden, his brother Joshua, and his sister Tamara are opening on Broadway in Newburgh during the first quarter of 2022. The family’s goals are simple, Borden said: “to provide healthy food options to my community and a safe place to enjoy those options…We all deserve a space where we can go and feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Shoot Ya Shot provides that space.” Though he currently lives in another state, Borden never lost his love for his hometown. “Newburgh has given me so much,” he noted, “and now it is time for me to give back.” So how did the siblings come up with the idea of a juice bar? The answer is simple – because the city needed it. “I am a proponent of healthy, clean living,” Borden explained. “It’s alarming…that practically no health food-centered businesses are located in Newburgh. Well, that is until Shoot Ya Shot came to town!” With 2020 essentially a global mulligan and COVID-19 still a presence to this day, some might wonder why the trio chose to open their business at this time. To that Borden counters, why not now? “COVID gave us all a moment to pause and gather ourselves,” he said. “Shoot Ya Shot is something that my brother and I wanted to do for a while. It was one of our dreams. The pandemic gave [us] time to work on this dream. Now, our dream is reality.” This journey, like all others, began with a single step. For Borden, that step was choosing the Mount for his

college education, which gave him the tools he needed to take control of his career. “I have been able to use my business knowledge at the Mount as an accountant and for my corporate clients as an attorney,” Borden said. “Now, I am using it to start my own business.” Borden’s Mount experience was enhanced by professors like Tracey Niemotko (Accounting), who taught him “to be persistent and thorough in my work.” She “pushed me to go beyond myself, understand business principles, and to think creatively.” He added, “The Mount has had an undeniable effect on my life. I have gained friends and shared experiences that have molded me into the person I am today. Both of my parents, along with a host of relatives, went to the Mount…I cannot recall a moment when the Mount was not a part of my – or my family’s – identity.” Newburgh is just the beginning for Shoot Ya Shot, says Borden. In the coming years, he and his siblings hope to expand throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Above: Joshua Borden, left, and Joseph Borden ’16 MBA ’17 outside their business on Broadway in the City of Newburgh. Facing page: Joseph and Joshua Borden in the space that they are transforming into Shoot Ya Shot.

[Our goal is] to provide “healthy food options to my community and a safe place to enjoy those options.

”

www.msmc.edu

Love of literature becomes dream job Coming from a family with three generations of English teachers – her grandmother, father, and sister – it’s not surprising that Mayde Pokorny MBA ’16 would one day own a bookstore. “Literature and education have always been important in our family,” she explained. “I grew up playing school and reading books at the dinner table, so turning that childhood passion into a full-time career just made sense.” Pokorny and her husband, Dan, recently opened Well Worn Books, an independent bookstore offering new and used books, stationery products, and more in Middletown, N.Y. It was an idea that came to fruition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pokorny has always been an avid reader, a trait that was magnified by her sudden extra time at home.

Unfortunately there wasn’t a bookstore nearby and libraries were operating on a limited schedule. That meant that every time she needed a new book, Pokorny would

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

have to drive nearly an hour to the closest bookstore. It was one of life’s annoyances that most people would have begrudgingly accepted. Not Pokorny.

and education have “Literature always been important in our family. ”

Mayde Pokorny MBA ’16

Facing page: Mayde Pokorny MBA ’16 in her new business, Well Worn Books in Middletown. Left: The sign and storefront of Pokorny’s new shop.

“It occurred to me that if I was having this problem, there must be others in the area who could also benefit from a new local bookstore,” Pokorny explained. “I decided to take matters into my own hands and put my business degree from the Mount to good use.” In September 2021, Well Worn Books opened its doors to the public. “It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m proud to have fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning my own bookstore,” Pokorny said. Well Worn Books is far from the Pokorny family’s first business venture. For the last three years, Pokorny has worked as an independent contractor selling real estate in the Hudson Valley. Before that her husband opened his own tattoo parlor in Middletown, No Man’s Land Tattoos and Piercings. Since opening in 2017, it has won Times Herald-Record Readers’ Choice Award for best tattoo shop every year. Before that, Pokorny had worked in the Mount’s Office of Marketing and Communications, under the title of assistant director of Digital Communications. From earning an MBA to her time as a college employee, Pokorny’s Mount experience helped pave the way for her success. “My business degree from the Mount gave

me the confidence to invest in myself and start a new business from scratch,” she said. “My coursework, along with the professional work I did in the Mount’s Marketing Office, gave me the skills I needed to not only start and run my business, but also to get the word out about it.” As small business owners, Pokorny and her husband have used some creative ways of marketing and promoting the store. Social media has been a godsend, she noted: “We’ve received an incredibly positive response so far! It’s been such a pleasure sharing our love of literature with the local community, and they’ve welcomed us with open arms.” The Pokornys have so far been focused on getting their brick-and-mortar store up and running, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t thinking about the future. It looks like 2022 is going to be a great year for Well Worn Books. “We hope to expand to online sales as well as in-person events such as author readings and book signings,” she explained. During those many nights reading at the family’s dining room table, a young Pokorny envisioned her life as a bookstore owner. If she could have seen a glimpse of her future selling the books she loves, it surely would have made the English teacher’s daughter smile. www.msmc.edu

Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff owners at their shop: Matt Wyant (front left), Kellen Sela (front right), and Jack Sheehy (back).

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

From ice cream in a bag to high-end dessert

What makes Matthew Wyant and Jack Sheehy different from this impressive list of Mount alumni paving their own way to success? Well, they’re not alumni. In June, current Business majors Matthew Wyant and Jack Sheehy, along with their friend Kellen Sela who is studying Digital Marketing at Baruch College, turned what began as a high school science project into an exciting new business venture when they opened Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff. Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff, located in the Hudson Valley Food Hall on Main Street in Beacon, is a dessert shop selling homemade ice cream, fresh cones, hot waffles, and other sweet stuff. According to Wyant, the business was sparked in high school. Born and raised in Beacon, the long-time friends were deemed “the Shmucks” by their chemistry teacher; in the back of that same chemistry class, they concocted their first batch of ice cream – in a bag – as a science experiment; and the blueprints to their business plan were drafted in an economics class. A dream sparked in high school was then ignited at the Mount. Wyant explained, “The School of Business helped me gain a general background on the basics of econom-

In good company

Many Mount alumni have started successful business ventures. For example, Christian Plaza ’14 MSN ’18, MBA’18 founded Cross Valley Health & Medicine in 2007 with his husband, Dr. Paul Saladino. Other Mount grads have joined Plaza at the practice over the years, including Kyle Russo ’17 MBA ’18, Practice Manager; and Mark Olsen ’20 MBA ’21, Business Development Associate. In 2018, Plaza was the only Mount student to earn two master’s degrees simultaneously.

ics, management, and finance.” He said the Mount’s wide variety of professors and their wealth of experience in the business world helped prepare him to take on this endeavor. In particular, Thomas Fitzmaurice, assistant professor of Finance, “was an excellent professor in whom Jack and I learned a lot regarding financial models, cash flow statements, and more,” he added. Sheehy said that since opening Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff, “I have found myself realizing a number of things that I have learned [at the Mount] directly relate to the upkeep of the shop and everything we do to run on a daily basis,” from product systems management, to banking and finance, to learning how to keep customers happy, and more, he explained. In alignment with the Mount’s core mission, the Shmucks have made service an integral part of their business. Shortly after opening, they participated in a fundraiser organized by Sonya Abbye Taylor, associate professor of Education and

Other Mount entrepreneurs include: Barbara Citarella ’80 – RBC Limited, owner, president, and CEO Elise McKenna ’81 – Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, director and owner John Hughes ’84 – The Gardner Farm Inn, owner and proprietor Jo-Ann Yaun ’88 – The Sunflower Health Food Store, owner Michael Bulich ’89 – Mushrooms Inc., owner and operator

co-counselor for Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the Education Honor Society on campus. After learning that Wyant and Sheehy recently opened a dessert shop just across the river from campus, Taylor reached out to the Shmucks and suggested they do the fundraiser together. “It was arranged that 20 percent of sales from Mount customers would be given back to KDP,” Taylor explained. “I went to Shmuck’s that day. They sell amazing ice cream and baked goods.” In addition to giving back to their college community, “Sweet Stuff for All” is the shop’s slogan. From glutenfree ice cream options, to keeping vegan flavors on-hand, to maintaining a 100 percent nut-free environment – Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff aspires to serve desserts everyone can enjoy. The Shmucks hope to expand their business by bringing their natural and wholesome ice cream to multiple locations within the Hudson Valley someday. “We are looking to create a loyal customer base that will perceive Shmuck’s Sweet Stuff as a high-class, yet affordable place to fill their sweet tooth,” Wyant said. “We appreciate all the love and support from the community, because, after all, if it were not for our fellow shmucks, we would not be able to do what we love.”

Kathryn (Gagnon) Rose ’91 – wiseHer, founder and CEO Sean Creighton ’92 – Echelon Culture, co-founder and managing director Karina (Cabrera) Bell ’01 – B-Impact, founder and Chief Culture Strategist Jacqueline Powell ’03 – Virtual Business Solutions, founder Justina Tozzi Grunow ’07 MBA ’09 – Justina Tozzi Agency (Allstate Insurance), founder www.msmc.edu

MSMC Knights

Knights snag second place at Skyline Conference Championship

t was a classic David and Goliathstyle contest when the Knights Women’s Soccer team took on the top seeded Farmingdale State Rams in the 2021 Skyline Conference Championship Final. The Knights fought hard, but suffered a 2-0 loss as Farmingdale State won its fifth straight conference championship and its 12th in the last 13 seasons. The Knights came home with second in the Skyline Conference Championship. The game marked the Knights’ 10th trip to the conference championship final in the last 11 seasons, and the ninth time the two sides have met with the conference crown on the line. Neither team made a goal in the first 70 minutes of the game, then Farmingdale State broke the ice with the game-winning goal. They added

an insurance goal with less than three minutes left in regulation time. For the Knights, Christina Kakavas of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. finished the afternoon with five saves in goal. Meanwhile, Lauren Engel of Red Hook, N.Y. took half of the Mount’s four shots in the game, with

Volleyball duo earn Skyline accolades A pair of players on the Women’s Volleyball team were honored with All-Skyline Conference recognition: Grace Riddle of Wantagh, N.Y., a junior, earned First Team All-Conference honors and was voted the league’s Player of the Year by the head coaches, while Francesca Cammarata of Carmel, N.Y. was named Second Team All-Skyline Conference. Riddle had one of the most productive seasons in program history in 2021, finishing the year with 451 kills, 72 service aces, 324 digs, and 27 total blocks. Riddle closed the season as the Skyline Conference leader in both total kills and kills per set (4.25) while ranking second in total service aces and fifth in digs. On the national

Riddle

Cammarata

stage, Riddle ranks sixth in points per set (5.08) and total kills, seventh in service aces, and 11th in kills per set. Riddle established the three set, single match record for kills with 24 against St. Joseph’s-Brooklyn. In a tight 3-2 loss to Mount Saint Vincent in the First Round of the Skyline Conference Championship, Riddle put away 19 kills and added nine digs, setting a new single season record for winners, breaking the previous mark for 2007 by a single kill. In addition to her Player of the Year

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

both attempts on target. After producing a 2-0 win over Sarah Lawrence in the first round and a tight 1-0 win over Manhattanville in the Semifinal Round of the 2021 Skyline Conference Championship, the loss brought the team’s record to 11-7-2 overall for the season.

citation, Riddle was also named to the league’s All-Sportsmanship Team. Cammarata rounded out the season with 740 assists for the Knights, averaging 7.71 helpers per set. Cammarata finished off a solid allaround season tied for fourth on the team in service aces with 31 and fifth on the team with 227 digs. She closed the year ranked first in the Skyline Conference in total assists and second in assists per set. Cammarata handed out at least 20 assists in 22 matches in 2021, including a career-high 49 helpers against Russell Sage College in September. The Mount closed the 2021 season with a 14-15 overall record and a 7-4 mark in Skyline Conference play, earning a berth in the Skyline Conference Championship for the 14th straight season.

Barrett runs to program best at ECAC Championship Kenneth Barrett of Wantagh, N.Y., a senior, closed out his Mount athletics career strong, posting the best individual performance in program history at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship with a ninth-place finish. The finish garnered Barrett AllECAC accolades for the second time in his career. Barrett completed the 8K course at the Hudson Valley SportsDome in a time of 28:58.7 to collect the top 10 finish in a field of 71 runners. In doing so, he broke the previous program mark of 14th place, which he set as a freshman in 2018 with a time of 31:21.7. In the final race of his Mount career, Barrett finished one of the finest three-year stretches in Men’s Cross Country program history after earning First Team All-Skyline Conference accolades three times and All-ECAC honors twice. Barrett holds the program’s best individual finishes at both championships, placing third at the Skyline meet in 2018 and ninth at the ECAC meet. The Mount also received a strong run from Christian Pangione of Edgewater, N.J., who ran to a time of 36:21.4. The run was good for the 55th position overall.

Mount Athletic Director Drew Brown, left, helped induct the college’s newest Hall of Fame class (left to right) Vinnie Carminati, Kaileen Spadaro, Chelsea Dexter, Donte Howell, and Sean Lockwood.

2021 Hall of Fame induction

ive outstanding athletes were inducted into the Mount’s 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame. Vinnie Carminati ’14 MBA ’15 hit .377 over 451 at-bats during his career as a Knight, and totaled 170 hits. After graduating, he began working at Essensys, a software company. Carminati and his fiancé are set to be married in May of 2022. Chelsea Dexter ’16 led the softball program to the top of the Skyline Conference and drove in the game-winning run in the Mount’s first NCAA Tournament victory. She was named All-Skyline Conference twice. Dexter is currently an RN at Garnet Medical Center in Middletown, N.Y. Donte Howell ’14 matched the basketball program record for wins in a season with 23 and claimed the ECAC Championship title. He scored a total

of 1,235 points in his career. Howell teaches physical education at Democracy Prep Endurance High School in NYC and coaches the school’s basketball team. Sean Lockwood ’14 MBA ’15 turned the Men’s Soccer program into a Skyline Conference contender and led the team to its first Skyline Conference title. Lockwood, an associate at Goldman Sachs, resides in Jersey City with his fiancé Tara McDermott, a 2019 Mount Hall of Fame inductee. Kaileen Spadaro ’13 was on the Mount’s first Women’s Lacrosse team. She helped lead the Knights to the Skyline Conference Tournament in their first season and she finished the year ranked 50th nationally in goals per game. Spadaro teaches third grade and coaches youth lacrosse in her home town of Islip, N.Y.

www.msmc.edu

College Advancement

Left: Mount Saint Mary College president Dr. Jason N. Adsit with honorees, from left, Nick Citera, Nicolas DiBrizzi, and Michael J. Quinn. Below: Patricia Larkin, widow of former state senator William J. Larkin, and her daughter, Patricia McGuirk.

Celebrating leadership Gala honors local legends Quinn, Citera, and DiBrizzi

riends of the Mount enjoyed celebrating live and in-person at the college’s 12th Annual Gala Reception, which honored three outstanding pillars of our local community. Michael J. Quinn, president and CEO of Rhinebeck Bank, and Nick Citera and Nicolas DiBrizzi of Cosimo’s Restaurant Group, were honored with the Joseph A. Bonura Award for Leadership Excellence. The award recognizes individuals or organizations whose professional accomplishments, service to the community, and leadership reflect the same commitment to quality, concern for neighbors, and shared prosperity that have exemplified the career and character of local restaurateur Joseph A. Bonura. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the previous Gala to be hosted virtually, patrons welcomed the return to a face to face event by catching up with old friends and enjoying a fine meal. The Gala raised more than $153,000 in gifts, sponsorships, and ticket sales, which will be used to support the Annual Gala Endowed Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded to academically strong students with financial need, with preference given to students pursuing a degree in Business. Mount scholarships provide an affordable, values-based education to thousands of deserving students, many of whom are among the first in their families to attend college.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

From left, Michael and Niki Quinn, Nicolas and Alyssa DiBrizzi, and Rossana and Nick Citera.

Student Activities director Barbara Mulligan with student representatives. Student Government Association president Joshua Laskowski, left, gave a speech at the event.

The Bonura family with the honorees and their spouses.

College trustee Michael Catania with his wife Amy, Debra Zambito MBA ’98, and Jim Zambito.

MSMC board member Steve McCarthy with Sr. Margaret Anderson OP ’67 and Christine McCarthy.

Chris and Nancy DelGiorno, Rossana and Nick Citera, and John and Deb Rath.

Christini and George Abaunza, Newburgh mayor Torrance Harvey MSE ’03, Genesis Ramos, and Colin Jarvis.

Patti Irwin, Niki Quinn, honoree Michael J. Quinn, and Bill Irwin.

Honoree Nicolas DiBrizzi with his mother, Angela, and honoree Nick Citera with his mother, Enza.

www.msmc.edu

College Advancement

Go Blue fundraiser supports scholarships

he Mount’s annual Go Blue fundraiser earned more than $61,000 for a variety of departments and scholarships at the college. This unique fundraiser allows participants to support what they love about the Mount. From Athletics to Campus Ministry and everything in between, many areas of the college benefited from the generosity of its friends, alumni, faculty, and staff. Karen Eberle-McCarthy, professor emerita of Hispanic Studies, donated a whopping $20,000 to establish a new scholarship. It will support current junior and senior students with financial need from the City of Newburgh. “Having spent 37 years teaching Spanish at the Mount and taken hundreds of students on immersive study abroad experiences, I have witnessed the incredible impact a college degree can have on young minds and their future success,” said McCarthy. “College graduates from the City of Newburgh are role models for their families and community, which is why I decided to establish a new scholarship. I see this scholarship as an additional bridge between

graduates from “theCollege City of Newburgh are role models for their families and community, which is why I decided to establish a new scholarship.

”

Karen Eberle-McCarthy

Karen Eberle-McCarthy, professor emerita of Hispanic Studies.

Newburgh and the Mount. The college can’t do this alone – we need more donors and more scholarships.” The fundraiser was the brainchild of Margaret Treacy, director of Annual Giving. “Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other friends of the college really came together to show their love and support for the Mount,” Treacy said. “I’m proud of what we were able to

do with Go Blue and grateful that a new scholarship has been created for local Newburgh students, thanks to Karen Eberle-McCarthy’s commitment to supporting local Mount students. I can’t wait to see how all of the Go Blue participants will benefit from these funds to become more active students and more engaged members of our community.” To aid the Go Blue campaign, Mount President Jason Adsit’s wife, Heather, agreed to go skydiving if the effort earned $50,000 or more. With that goal met – and then topped by an additional $11,000 – she will be taking the plunge in the spring of 2022. There’s still time to donate to the effort. Visit www.msmc.edu/goblue for more information.

A thank you to donors supporting scholarships Mount donors and scholarship recipients had a chance to meet and get to know each other better at the college’s Scholarship Appreciation Brunch in October. Keep an eye out for our Donor Impact Report to learn more.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

M A T R N Y I C A Thank you donors, S you make a difference!

E LEG OL

MOU NT

SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS

The Donor Scholarship Fund allows donors, at any level, to

support scholarships that are awarded based on high financial need and academic success. A scholarship can be the differ-

ence between achieving the dream of a college education and

dropping out halfway through, especially for the 88 percent of

our students who receive financial aid. The college contributes

DO in financialRIaid approximately $21 million - to students, which CE VE M accounts for about 45 percent annual EM budget. E of the TAT

In its first few years, the fund has already had a significant

impact for a number of students at the Mount, thanks to the efforts of alumni and friends!

Donor Scholarship Fund established

115 Donors contributed to the fund

$81K

. N

2019

Donated to noteworthy students

B U R G H,

To donate, please visit msmc.edu/lovemsmc

www.msmc.edu

Left: Whitney Stow, Claudia Larson ’20, Anthony Lockhart ’20, Christopher Blackwell ’20, and Samuel Young ’21 Below: Christina (Bart) Bilsky ’85, this year’s James V. McEnery Alumni Service Award recipient, with Mount president Dr. Jason N. Adsit, James Cotter, professor emeritus of English.

Coming home

Alumni Reunion Weekend draws a crowd

undreds of successful grads, spanning decades of Mount history, journeyed back to their alma mater from November 5 to 7 for the college’s annual Alumni Weekend. Alumni and their families celebrated their accomplishments, caught up with old friends and professors, and saw what’s new at the college that launched their careers. They enjoyed a barbecue with their classmates and professors; class dinners and other reunions; and more. During the festivities, James Finn Cotter, the longest-serving professor the Mount has ever known, was honored by the Alumni Association for 57 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the college. Cotter retired in August of 2020. Christina (Bart) Bilsky, a 1985 Nursing graduate, was presented with the James V. McEnery Alumni Service Award for her continued service to her alma mater. Also, journalist Enny D. Pichardo ‘06,

The Class of 1971 danced the afternoon away as they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

host of #EnNYConMas, was honored with the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his contributions to society through professional and volunteer work.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

Linda (Dobias) Dombroski ’82, Anne (Fitzgerald) Conway ’81, Nancy (Robinson) McKenney ’81, and Peggy Quinn ’81.

Members of the Class of 1986 and the Class of 1990 enjoyed catching up at Alumni Reunion Weekend.

Lynn Maelia, professor of Chemistry, Irene Nunnari, professor emerita of Arts and Letters, Matthew Sautner ’90, and Sr. Catherine Walsh OP ’70, professor emerita of Communication Arts.

Jackie Governale ’11, Sarah Johnson ’11, Lynn Maelia, professor of Chemistry, Rebecca Seepersad ’13, Suparna Bhalla, associate professor of Biology, Tom Sarro, professor of Biology, and Alyssa Scagnelli ’11.

John Como ’10, Allison (Hauser) Como ’10 MSEd ’13, Erin Symons ’10, Melinda (Burke) Canary ’10 MSEd ’12, and Joseph Canary ’12 MBA ’13.

A gathering of graduates from the 1980s enjoyed returning to their alma mater for Mount Saint Mary College’s Alumni Weekend.

www.msmc.edu

Alumni Notes

Brian ’75 and Denise (Slabicki) ’74 Carrington

1964

MaryAnn (Kennedy) Fitzpatrick is a retired schoolteacher of 24 years from New York. She currently resides in Florida. MaryAnn was the first lay student accepted into Mount Saint Mary College. She lost her husband 19 years ago, but has remained busy with her wonderful family. MaryAnn has two daughters and six grandchildren, with her first great grandchild on the way. Her pride and joy are her two grandsons who are both US Army Special Forces.

1972

Patricia (Collins) Crispell is excited for the Class of 1972’s 50th anniversary coming up in 2022. “Wouldn’t it be great to have a big turnout for Alumni Reunion Weekend? Let’s make it happen. We are not getting any younger!”

Dr. Mary Ellen (Scannell) Doherty ’72

Mary Ann Kadera Klicka ’74

Dr. Mary Ellen (Scannell) Doherty was honored at the 75th Anniversary celebration of the College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island. Mary Ellen was named one of the “75 Luminaries” whose clinical, academic, research, and scholarly work has identified them as “bright shining stars” in their profession.

husband, five children, and six grandchildren enjoy their New Hope, Pa. home and their Gandeeville, W.Va. farm.

COVID, he noted.

1974

James Dolan retired from the Airport Group New York. He was the supervisor of the Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Department.

Denise (Slabicki) Carrington ‘74 and Brian Carrington ’75 were honored to speak at the 50th Anniversary of the first kidney transplant at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut on April 22, 2021. On August 6, Brian and Denise, who met at the Mount in 1971, will celebrate the 18th anniversary of Brian’s kidney transplant, performed at Hartford Hospital. Denise gave Brian the gift of life by being his kidney donor.

Dr. Joseph O’Connor spoke at St. Agnes Senior Club on November 3, 2021. His topic was: “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves.” The “new normal” is a challenge but there are techniques and methods anyone can use to optimize their spirit despite

Mary Ann Kadera Klicka, a retired professor emerita of Bucks County Community College’s STEM Department, continues in her position as treasurer of PA-NOSS, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Organization for Student Success. She, her

1973

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

1980

Janet (Luedtke) NelsonNickerson recently moved to Glen Arden located in Goshen, N.Y. She continues to serve as the organist at Kings Lutheran Church in New Windsor, N.Y. Janet will continue to teach piano and organ from her new location.

1981

Jeannie Fitzpatrick started her nursing career in Boston in 1981. She moved to Philadelphia in the late ’80s. Jeannie worked for 24 years in clinical IT. After a lay-off, she went back to nursing in 2009. Jeannie was an administrator for a dialysis company in Philadelphia. She is now working as a cardiology RN for Penn

Medicine and a volunteer EMT for her community ambulance company. She is blessed with an amazing daughter and two wonderful sons.

1982

Michael J. Fraser worked the fall of 2021 as a sports psychology consultant with the University of Texas Arlington Softball Program. He continues to lecture and consult with various programs, athletes, actors, and musicians throughout the United States for peak performance purposes. Paula (Parisi) Peaden continues to practice estate and trust law in Richmond, Va. She was delighted that her former roommate, Kathy, visited this summer. They had a wonderful time reminiscing about fun times at the Mount and are looking forward to the reunion.

1987

Debbie (Gade) O’Neill, after teaching for 32 years, retired in June of 2019 from the Middle Country School District. Debbie has three children, Niko (26), Jaymie (19), and Kaylee (17). After Kaylee graduates in June, Debbie is looking forward to being a snowbird and traveling during non-peak times.

1993

Christine (Larsen) McDonald is the English as a new language coordinator and teacher at the New York French American Charter School in Harlem, the first bilingual French-English charter school to open in the

US. She lives in Middle Village, Queens with her family. Christine, and her husband Keith, share their daughter Juliette and son Sean. She received her TESOL certification through SUNY Stony Brook in December 1999.

Iris Petrillo ’84

1994

Lewis Leoce is currently an adjunct professor of Marketing at the Mount, teaching Principles of Marketing and International Marketing.

1997

June (Kelley) Pierce taught k-5 in the New Paltz school district and loved every minute of it. She is now a published author and hopes you will check out her five novels, beginning with Keeping Secrets, and her 10 children’s books. If you are interested in her books, visit junekelleypierce.com

2000

Joseph Polvere (’00 MBA ’01) is in his 21st year of teaching in Demarest, N.J. He has worked as an adjunct professor of Education and History at Montclair State University, Mercy College, New Jersey City University, Bergen Community College, and Seton Hall University in various semesters since 2006.

2003

Alicia (Hock) Plevritis recently accepted a procurement manager role with Pfizer and relocated her family to Tampa, Fla.

2006

Sean Glander was promoted to vice president of

Grad founds Hudson Valley Lupus walk When tragedy struck Iris Petrillo, she used it as inspiration to help the community she loves. Petrillo (formerly Heller) is a proud 1984 graduate of the Nursing program. In 1992, she was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Sadly, her mother suffered from Lupus as well and passed away in the year 2000 from complications of the disease. In her mother’s memory, Petrillo founded the Hudson Valley Walk to End Lupus Now. “We needed awareness of Lupus in this region,” explained Petrillo. “At that time, the closest walk was in New York City.” Since 2015, the walk has grown tremendously. In its first year alone, it earned more than $10,000 for the Lupus Foundation of America. In total, the Hudson Valley Walk to End Lupus has raised more than $100,000. “I am forever grateful to my family and friends that supported my original idea for a local walk,” said Petrillo.“It’s good to know that I have made a difference. I hope to continue to make positive changes, embrace my community, and be a support to those that need it.” Petrillo owes much of her personal success to her alma mater, she noted. The college “helped me to become who I am because I was able to get a great education close to home,” she said. “I truly feel that my nursing career started off on such a great note because the education that I received at MSMC helped me realize my capabilities.”

www.msmc.edu

Alumni Notes

Left, the Class of 1990 with Alumni Engagement Director Michelle Iacuessa ’94 and Campus Chaplain Fr. Gregoire Fluet at the blessing of the memorial pavers, in honor of Julia Garau Chvatal ‘90.

Michael J. Fraser ’82 with the University of Texas Arlington Softball team

Taxation and Accounting Processes at Big V Property Group in Florida, N.Y. Big V Property Group invests and manages commercial retail real estate for long-term wealth preservation and growth.

2010

Brandon Roberts received his PhD in 2016 in Public Policy and Administration Criminal Justice. Currently, Brandon is an associate professor of Criminal Justice and the Criminal Justice

Program director at Piedmont University in Georgia. He is a subject matter expert on serial murder and enjoys sharing his criminological expertise with his students. He is married to his beautiful wife Jennifer and they have two sons, Thomas and Michael.

2011

Jacqueline Governale became the new director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Notre Dame School of Manhattan in August 2021.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

2012

Katie Milano was promoted to assistant director of Marketing at Mercy College. Katie was previously the senior writer and content developer.

2016

Victoria Goldbach is celebrating her five year reunion and is so thankful for her time at the Mount. After working in the ICU for five years, Victoria is now pursuing her doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jacqueline Governale ’11

2018

Jennifer (Gambuti) Volino is self-employed as a (virtual) mental health counselor. In 2021, Jen married Michael Volino, the man she met during her sophomore year as an undergrad at the Mount. She thanks the Mount for the memories, education, and ability to make her dreams become reality. Dan Wolff has been working for the MTAPD, on patrol in Grand Central, for three years.

In Memoriam Carol Blados, mother of Carleen Blados Washington ’86, passed away on October 11, 2021. Giuliana Garau Chvatal ’90 passed away on August 24, 2021. Shirley M. Dobias, mother of Linda Dobias Dombroski ’82, passed away on July 10, 2021. Barbara Currier Gregory ’73 passed away on July 21, 2021. John F. Jaffarian, grandfather to Kieran O’Keefe ’14, Colin O’Keefe ’15, Clare O’Keefe ’17 and father/father-in-law to longtime Mount employees, Kathleen (Jaffarian) O’Keefe and Michael O’Keefe, passed away on September 3, 2021. Kathleen M. Mullane, mother of Maureen Mullane Browning ’67, Kathleen Mullane Kastrup ’69, and Eileen Mullane Garger ’72, passed away in December 2020.

Marriages Ariana (Marcello) Giammarusco ’16 and Stephen Giammarusco ’15 got married in June 2021 in Westport, Conn. Bryan Frank ’15 served as a groomsman and Kerianne (Lynch) Aran ’16 and Stephanie (Babcock) Sanders ’16 were also in attendance. The couple is now residing in Fairfield, Conn.

Joseph J. Quinn, father of Patrick Quinn ’99 and father-in-law of Myra (Riles) Quinn ’99 passed away on December 7, 2021. John F. Richardson, father of Mary Teresa (Richardson) Evans ’82, passed away on June 28, 2021. Dennis F. Riordan, father of Buffy Riordan Horan ’92, passed away on September 5, 2021. Michael Rossi, father of Megan Rossi ’13, passed away on December 10, 2021. Eileen McDonald Sassmann ’66 passed away on November 16, 2021. Catherine Shepherd, the mother of Sarah (Shepherd) Frey ’05, passed away in May of 2021.

Grace Wendling

Bryn Botta

Births Diana (Gillette) Wendling ’15 married her husband, Peter, in July of 2020 and welcomed their daughter, Grace, in April of 2021. Mark ’15 and Sarah (Kelleher) ’15 Botta are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Bryn Elizabeth Botta. Bryn was born on August 23, 2021.

David J. Tolan, father of Michael D. Tolan ’91, passed away on July 6, 2021. James J. Walsh, father of Laurie Walsh ’83, passed away on October 7, 2021. Brian Weaver ’93 passed away on August 9, 2021.

www.msmc.edu

Alumni Notes

Serving the community At 22, Martinez elected Newburgh councilwoman Giselle Martinez ’20 of Newburgh, N.Y. recently returned to her alma mater to discuss her journey from graduate to local political candidate. She told the audience of current Mount students about her love for Newburgh and her plans to improve the city where she grew up. Just four days later, she won the election, becoming a councilmember for Newburgh City Council, Ward 1. At 22 years old, Martinez is one of the youngest people to ever fill the role. When Martinez, a first-generation college student, earned a bachelor’s degree from the Mount, throwing her hat into Newburgh’s political ring wasn’t initially in her plans. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Martinez worked with several local nonprofit organizations to get food, face coverings, and other essentials to those in need. “I grew up in this community and I’ve always loved this community,” she said. “I went out a lot on days where I probably shouldn’t have…but all I could keep thinking about was how there’s so many families around me that don’t have food.” When Councilwoman Karen Mejia announced that she would not be seeking reelection, Martinez began to wonder who could fill the shoes of a leader she had always admired. The answer quickly became clear: She would run for Mejia’s seat on the city council. “If I didn’t do it, then who was going to?” Martinez asked. “I had enough experience at this point working for the state government. I figured that I had enough empathy

Giselle Martinez ’20 returned to the Mount to discuss navigating life after college and her journey from graduate to local political candidate.

because I grew up in this community.” In mid2019, Martinez wrapped up a semester in Albany as the session assistant for Senator Jessica Ramos (D), Senate District 13. The internship offered talented students such as Martinez an immersive experience in the legislative process, including legislation development, legislative sessions, and interacting with constituents. It also led her to a job working for Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh). The Martinez campaign was a grassroots effort, with her and her supporters meeting face to face with the people of Newburgh. The work was exhausting, she said, but “I don’t regret a single day of it.” In the end, her campaign paid off, and Martinez won the democratic primary in June 2021. Her election win followed on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2021-22

“I grew up in this community and I’ve always loved this community.” Giselle Martinez ’20 Newburgh City Councilmember

As a Mount student, Martinez was active on campus. She was president of the Latino Student Union, a resident assistant, and consistently made the college’s Dean’s List. A student of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), she attended leadership development conventions throughout the U.S.; served the community; mentored her peers; and more. Martinez had some simple advice for her audience: “Say yes to all your opportunities and take a risk,” she said. “A lot of my best experiences on and off campus have been because I decided to say yes to [taking a risk].” She added, “Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Everything you put out there…comes back to you tenfold.”

LOOKING BACK

Dawn of the new millennium

n 2001, students carried cell phones with monochrome displays, movies still came on VHS tapes, and the Mount’s computer labs looked quite a bit different than they do today. This image of the college’s Curriculum Library in Hudson Hall illustrates modern technology from two decades ago: boxy monitors, wired computer mice, and CD-ROMs with a whopping 700-megabyte data capacity. For reference, current smartphones can hold about 200 times that or more. Technology was moving rapidly, and CD-ROMs would soon be eclipsed by DVDs – thanks in part to the PlayStation 2 video game console, which hit North American shores in the year 2000. Both disc formats would eventually give way to the flash drives and cloud solutions we use today. In 2014, the Curriculum Library and Curtin Memorial Library were absorbed into the college’s state-of-the-art Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center. The former Curtin Library is now home to the School of Business, and the Curriculum Library became a student lounge. There are more computers on campus too, with flat screen monitors and storage capacity that would have boggled our minds 20 years ago.

www.msmc.edu

Mount Saint Mary College 330 Powell Avenue Newburgh, NY 12550

Mount professors and students hiked Mount Beacon during the fall semester.

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine Winter 2021-22

Articles inside

On the Road

News and Notes

Community Wellness

Alumni Weekend

Mount Entrepreneurs

New Programs

MSMC Knights