Accent sum2017 web

a magazine for Neumann University alumni, family and friends

Vol. 45, No. 3 • Summer 2017

Welcome

DR. CHRIS E. DOMES Our Sixth President

Save the Date

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2017

October 12 – 15

Celebrating Alumni, Students & NU Families

Let us help you arrange your reunion with your classmates or cohort.

Congratulations to our class of 1967, celebrating their 50 Year Golden Anniversary, and Class of 1992, celebrating their 25th Silver Anniversary.

Other classes celebrating a reunion this year are: 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

To help plan your reunion of any size, please call the alumni office at 610-558-5544 or email alumni@neumann.edu

All things Homecoming:

Visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/homecoming

Best

Homecoming Picnic Ever 12 noon – 2 p.m. (rain or shine)

Saturday, October 14

 President’s Scholarship Reception  12th Annual King & Queen Pageant  Light the Knight Fireworks  Alumni Sports Games  Young Alumni Wine and Cheese Reception  Pastoral Counseling Reunion Breakfast & Lecture

Watch the Alumni Online Community (www.alumni. neumann.edu) for more information on alumni events and networking opportunities.

Featuring the

 Nursing Reunion Breakfast & PGH Endowed Lecture (CEU credits pending)  Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner  The Massey Breast Cancer 5K Fun Run /1K Fun walk

Keep an eye out for these events, too: • K night to Knight Student and Alumni Dinner (limited seating) • I nauguration of Dr. Chris E. Domes • President’s Thanksgiving Reception • T he American Theatre Christmas Show

DON’T MISS AN INVITE Join our facebook Neumann University Alumni #nuhomecoming17 #reunknight

Accent a magazine for Neumann University alumni, family and friends

Vol. 45, No. 3 • Summer 2017

President

F E AT U R E S

4 Stars shine at Commencement

Accolades for Dr. Mirenda fill the ceremony

Rosalie M. Mirenda, Ph.D. Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations

Henry A. Sumner, M.A., CFRE Executive Director, Marketing and Communications

Stephen T. Bell

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Meet Dr. Chris Domes

New president has 32 years of higher education experience

23 Jesus Lantigua: Success story ON THE COVER: Dr. Chris E. Domes, Neumann’s sixth president

Baseball dreams come true

Director of Publications

Carol DiAntonio Director, Alumni Relations and Special Programs

Judi Stanaitis ’07 ’13 Contributors

Christina Farrell Stephanie Fortunato ’13 Carolyn Seagraves ’84 Jill Weigel Photography

Kelly & Massa, Hunter Martin David Jackson Jerry Millevoi

D E P A R T M E N T S 3 From the President 4 Around Campus 24 Class Notes

Accent Magazine is published two times annually

by Neumann University, Office of Public Relations and Marketing, One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014-1298.

Tel: (610) 558-5549.

Copyright by Neumann University.

Accent Magazine is distributed free of charge to alumni and friends of Neumann University and is printed on recycled paper.

Information in this issue was received by 5/30/17.

Please send change-of-address correspondence to: Office of Institutional Advancement Neumann University One Neumann Drive Aston, PA 19014-1298 or to alumni@neumann.edu.

#NUKnightsgive

SAV E THE DAT E

Thursday October 5, 2017

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www.neumann.edu/Knightfunder

FROM THE PRESIDENT

W

e have arrived at yet another transformational moment for Neumann University with great promise for continued success in its future. Thank you for the very precious, sacred moments we have shared over the many years, and, most especially, thank you for the trust, the support and the assistance you provided while we added to the foundation laid by the founders, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.

Given this one, final opportunity to connect with you through ACCENT, I ask that you continue to engage with and support Neumann University’s endeavors and its future. Continue to help build its future!

Many have asked for that “final word” and, while humbling to be asked, I take the risk of answering the call.

Here I go! Never ever let go of asserting the Neumann brand: Catholic Franciscan, Uniquely Personal, and Career-Oriented. Continue the high impact marketing, advertising, and expansion of the radius for recruitment, and, most importantly, always and authentically role model the values of Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship. The importance of this work was heightened when the Board and the President committed to a strategic plan that calls us to lead a university that pervasively integrated its Catholic Franciscan identity and mission. The very good news is that this call to be Catholic Franciscan, Uniquely Personal and CareerOriented is foundational to who we are.

My dear Neumann friends and alumni, it is so important to accept the fact that Neumann’s future begins today, optimistic, grounded in who we are, capable of handling and managing risk.

A beautiful campus with no deferred maintenance and a multi-year capital project plan, a healthy portfolio that continues to grow through endowed scholarships, and continuing and emerging partnerships to expand our reach and program offerings. Neumann has a phenomenal team of administrators, faculty and staff including a dedicated, astute and eager Board of Trustees, and the sponsorship of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia — these are ingredients for continued success.

And now, the icing on the cake — meet Dr. Chris E. Domes and you will immediately realize the wonderful fit he is for Neumann into the future. Dr. Domes is ready, prepared in Catholic higher education, well-versed in matters of student development and enrollment, grounded firmly in the Catholic Franciscan world-view, and enthusiastic to get started. Trust him as you have trusted me. For that, I say “Thank You.” Tony and I are forever grateful for your support. We will always remember that which we achieved together in advancing Neumann’s mission.

Let us remain united in prayer for one another, for the Domes, and for Neumann University as we go forward with faith.

Pace e bene — signing off

Rosalie M. Mirenda, President Emeritus

Summer 2017 3

AROUND CAMPUS

Stars Shine through Rainy Commencement A retiring president, a scholar-athlete, a community servant, and four trail blazers highlighted Neumann’s 2017 Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 13.

Despite heavy rain that moved the ceremony to the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development, the University handled the weather disruption smoothly, awarding 791 degrees: 38 doctoral, 213 master, 536 bachelor, and four associate.

With the commencement crowd filling the Center to capacity, the ceremony was streamed live to three other locations in the Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center: the gymnasium, the Meagher Theatre, and the multipurpose hall.

Many family members and friends watched the graduation on large screens at those sites.

It was the last graduation to occur under the aegis of Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda, Neumann’s president for the last 21 years.

The University’s longest-serving president, Dr. Mirenda will retire on July 16, 2017. In a moving tribute to the Mirendas’ dedication and leadership, the Board of Trustees presented Dr. Mirenda and her husband Tony Mirenda, the University’s best ambassador, with honorary degrees. For her final recessional, the South Philadelphia native was accompanied by a Mummers string band.

Dr. Rosalie Mirenda and her husband Tony received honorary degrees for their leadership during her 21 years as president.

Valedictorian Haley Broomell ’17 urged her classmates to “find what gives you pure joy and pursue it to the fullest.”

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Haley with her five medals.

Embodying the Franciscan tradition of service, Mariah Powell ’17 collected hundrerds of coats for the homeless in West Philadelphia.

AROUND CAMPUS

During her more than two decades at the helm, the University has expanded its academic programs, become a residential campus, strengthened its fundraising capacity, added academic and recreational facilities, broadened its community service outreach, launched new athletic teams, captured national championships, and achieved university status — all the while remaining true to the Catholic Franciscan mission that has been at the heart of the University since 1965.

Valedictorian Other than Dr. Mirenda, the star of graduation was Haley Broomell ’17. A Biology/ Clinical Laboratory Science major, Haley won the university’s John A. Phillips ScholarAthlete Award and the Valedictory medal at the April 21 academic awards convocation.

The Valedictory medal is presented to the student who earned the highest GPA in the graduating class, and who demonstrated leadership and involvement in community service congruent with the University’s mission and core values. Recipients of the John A. Phillips Scholar Athlete Award are graduating student-athletes who have maintained academic excellence; earned

Antoinette Hemmerich ’17 and Christopher McIntosh ’17 earned the first Ph.D. degrees awarded

by Neumann University.

varsity letters in NCAA-sponsored sports at Neumann; and best exemplify scholarship, service for others, and commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.

In addition to these two awards, Haley won the Sister Margaret Lewis, OSF Award for Excellence in Clinical Laboratory Science, the David Barton Sumner Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship, and a certificate for completing the University Honors Program.

Addressing her classmates, Haley urged them to “seek balance, find what gives you pure joy and pursue it to the fullest, and step back to appreciate each and every moment that God has given you in this world.”

Haley has already landed a job at Delaware County Memorial Hospital and has been accepted into the master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy at Temple University. On the softball diamond, during the first week of April this season, Haley pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game in consecutive starts, going Cincinnati pitcher Johnny Vander Meer one better (Google him).

The community service prodigy in the class of 2017 is Mariah Powell. In the fall, Mariah decided that she wanted to

do something to help the homeless in her West Philadelphia community. Her mother runs Taylor Learning Academy, a child care center near 42nd and Haverford, and Mariah saw children come and go every day without coats or jackets. The Psychology major began collecting new and slightly used coats, marketing her efforts through flyers, social media posts, and word-ofmouth campaigns.

The response was more than she had hoped for, so she began to expand her plans.

She visited shelters and invited people to come to a distribution location for a free coat on January 20. When 150 guests arrived, Mariah didn’t let them down. Using her entrepreneurial skills, she had collected not only 300 coats but also recruited a clown, a face painter, a dance troupe, and served dinner to all of her guests.

Trail Blazers The trail blazers are the two students who earned the first Ph.D. degrees that Neumann has ever awarded and two others who were part of the first graduating class in 1967. Antoinette Hemmerich ’17 and Christopher McIntosh ’17 are the Ph.D. Continued 0n page 6

Lynne Lavelle ’67 and Sr. Kathleen Moffatt, OSF ’67, members of Neumann’s first graduating class 50 years ago, were recognized as Golden Girls.

Summer 2017 5

Stars Shine through Rainy Commencement Continued from page 5

Top: Sr. Kathryn Dougherty, OSF, received an honorary degree and told the graduates that they “have prepared for a meaningful life.”

Frank Janton received an honorary degree.

His beloved wife Marie ’13 received one posthumously.

The Mirenda Center was packed with families who came to celebrate.

6 Accent Magazine

pioneers who completed their course work and dissertations for doctoral degrees in Pastoral Counseling.

Dr. James Houck, director of the Ph.D. program, which began in 2013, said, “On March 20, Dr. Toni Hemmerich defended her research topic on The Integration of Reiki and Psychotherapy on Depression: The Lived Experience. Dr. Hemmerich’s dissertation contributed to the mental health profession by providing a healing model that benefits symptom reduction and overall wellbeing of body, mind, and spirit.

A week later, Dr. Chris McIntosh defended his research topic on A Comparative Study on Seminarian and Clergy Attitudes toward Seeking Psychological Services. Dr. Macintosh’s dissertation emphasized a more collaborative effort on the part of clergy and mental health professionals in the care and treatment of communities.”

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the University’s first commencement in 1967, two members of the original graduating class attended this year’s ceremony and sat in the VIP section. Neumann (then Our Lady of Angels College) awarded degrees to nine Sisters of St. Francis back in 1967. The two 2017 Golden Girls are Lynne Lavelle ’67 (literally the first graduate) and Sr. Kathleen M. Moffatt, OSF ’67.

Honorary Degrees Honorary degrees were presented to Sr. Kathy Dougherty, congregational minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia; Frank Janton, owner of F.J. Janton Company, a direct mail firm, and longtime member of the University Board of Trustees; and posthumously to his wife Marie Janton ’13, a concert cellist and partner in F.J. Janton Company.

Frank Janton advised the graduates to “Be aware that time is a thief. It is gone before you know it. Do not put off what is important” and to “Become involved. Share your time and abilities. . . . When you give of yourself you become more complete.”

“Tomorrow you continue your journey with an academic degree in your hand,” Sr. Kathy told the graduates. “Not only have you prepared for a professional career, but in attending Neumann, you have also prepared for a meaningful life. . . . Throughout your studies at Neumann, five values were emphasized that are rooted in the lives of Saints Francis and Clare. They are the values of Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. I encourage you today, to go forth from this institution continuing to make these values your own. They are values our world desperately needs.”

AROUND CAMPUS

Gratitude at Charter Day Winter Storm Stella couldn’t put a damper on the spirit of Neumann University’s fifty-second Charter Day. Commemorating the granting of an education charter to the school, originally Our Lady of Angels College, by the State of Pennsylvania in 1965, and recognizing in a special way the sponsorship from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the day featured the bestowing of an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, to His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, who also gave the annual Leunissen Lecture.

Amid the freshly plowed roads and lingering snow and ice left behind by the storm, activities to celebrate the day went full steam ahead as planned. The stately Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development was set up beautifully for the Academic Convocation and 13th annual Dorothy A.P. Leunissen Presidential Lecture, as well as the Mass that preceded it.

With so much to be thankful for, gratitude was one of the key themes during the afternoon. Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF ’70, vice president for Mission and Ministry, opened the events with remarks honoring the guests and sharing her gratefulness for many, particularly the Mirenda family. Dolan also expressed his thanks many times.

“I’m very grateful for your gracious invitation and your very warm welcome,” Dolan said in opening his talk.

The importance of service, one of Neumann’s five core values, RISES (Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship), was also a central part of the day. Neumann has given an extra special focus to the core value Service this school year and that dedication has been vivid in all aspects of the school.

“Whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant,” a verse from the Gospel at Mass, Mt. 20: 26, read. “We are blessed to be here to commemorate the chartering of an institution whose heart and soul is dedicated to the service

by Meghan Glass, Communication and Digital Media Major

Cardinal Timothy Dolan enjoys his honorary degree with James Delaney, chairperson of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Lawrence DiPaolo, Jr., vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, president.

of others, our very own Neumann University,” said Dr. Lawrence DiPaolo, Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“It’s clear to me [from] the gracious hospitality that I experienced that this is a campus where service is taken very, very seriously,” Cardinal Dolan expressed during his homily, a sentiment he later reiterated in his presidential lecture.

The Presidential Lecture series, named in honor of the late Dr. Dorothy A.P. Leunissen, who was a lifelong friend to the Sisters and a longtime supporter of Neumann, was established in 2004, and brings in speakers to address topics currently of interest in Catholic Franciscan higher education.

“I trust this might be as enjoyable as yesterday’s snow day,” Dolan remarked, setting a tone for his talk that was friendly and warm despite the formality of the event and the flurries that swirled in the breeze outside.

Dolan spoke on the intertwined nature of Christ and the Church, noting that there can be no separation between the two. He quoted Henri De Lubac, a French Jesuit priest considered one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century: “For what would I know of him without her?”

He expressed that at Neumann, the truth

of the intertwined nature of Jesus and the Church is lived each day.

“Here, at Neumann, we sense the nobility of God’s truth in everything: from literature to physical therapy, to theology and philosophy to history and chemistry,” Dolan said, later adding, “. . . here is communion realized in the gift of friends and classmates.”

The day was bittersweet, however, as it was Dr. Rosalie Mirenda’s last Charter Day as president of the school. Mirenda, closing her 21st year as president, is leaving behind a legacy both of leadership and of love.

“We’re sad, no doubt, we’re a little anxious, for sure,” she said of herself and her husband, Tony, who also has had a prominent presence at the school, “but we are at peace with the decision that we made back in August.”

“And we know that with folks like you, friends like you here today,” she continued, “Neumann University has nowhere to go but up. Up as a Catholic University in the Franciscan tradition. And I challenge each and every one of you . . . to support that Catholic identity in the Franciscan tradition. It will be the distinguishing feature for Catholic higher education as we go forward.”

Summer 2017 7

AROUND CAMPUS

Neumann and Drexel to Offer Early Admission Program in Math, Engineering The Knights and the Dragons are working together.

Neumann has partnered with Drexel University College of Engineering to offer students the ability to obtain a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Engineering in approximately five-andone-half years.

The Early Admission Program begins with students enrolling as Mathematics majors at Neumann University, where they will have to complete 75% of their bachelor’s degree requirements (approximately 90-92 credits) before transferring to Drexel University’s College of Engineering. Neumann’s program of study requires coursework over two summers to allow the student to transfer into Drexel University in the spring of their junior year in time to get in sequence for their first Cooperative Education (Co-Op) experience.

Drexel’s hallmark Co-Op program places students with employers in 35 states and 45 international locations. The majority of these Co-Ops are paid.

According to Dr. John DiNardo, senior vice provost for academic affairs at Drexel, “Students who enroll under the Early Admission Program and meet all requirements are eligible to transfer to Drexel’s College of Engineering in their junior year.

They can specialize in either Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.”

An added benefit of the cooperative Engineering agreement is that students who have successfully transferred to Drexel’s College of Engineering in their junior year may also have the option of studying for an M.S. in Engineering at Drexel.

The Neumann-Drexel agreement was signed by Dr. Lawrence DiPaolo, Jr., vice president for academic affairs at Neumann; John DiNardo, senior vice provost for academic affairs at Drexel; and M. Brian Blake, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Drexel.

“The Early Admission Program is highly selective and is open only to those students who have achieved a minimum score of 550 in the mathematics section of the SAT, a high school GPA of 3.0, and the ability to begin mathematics coursework at the level of Calculus I,” noted Dr. Lawrence DiPaolo, Jr., vice president for academic affairs at Neumann.

Students must also maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 while enrolled in the Early Admission Program. For more information about this program, contact Dr. Ryan Savitz at savitzr@ neumann.edu or 610-558-5587.

Neumann Scholars Thankful for the Maguire Foundation Neumann’s Maguire Scholars pose on the steps of the Franklin Institute for a photo with Mr. and Mrs. James J. Maguire and Megan Maguire Nicoletti, president and CEO of the Maguire Foundation. Based on a contribution from the Maguire Foundation, each Maguire Scholar at the University receives $5,000 per year for four years provided that the student pay at least $5,000 per year for tuition or other education-related expenses.

The Maguire Foundation was established in 2000.

Mr. and Mrs. Maguire are co-principals of the Foundation, a philanthropic enterprise that focuses its resources primarily on education. James Maguire is the founder and chairman emeritus of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Company.

A Korean War veteran and 1958 graduate of St. Joseph’s University, he is the author of Just Show Up Every Day, which chronicles his successful professional and family life.

8 Accent Magazine

AROUND CAMPUS

NU Nurses Below are the spring 2017 nursing graduates at the traditional pinning ceremony.

Author Shares His Undocumented Experience Undocumented. It’s the most politically charged word in the English language right now. It can generate emotions that range from sympathy to anger, from understanding to resentment.

Dan-el Padilla Peralta, author of a memoir entitled Undocumented, spoke in the Meagher Theatre on April 5 about his journey from a homeless shelter to the Ivy League as an undocumented immigrant in America.

Padilla was four years old when he arrived with his parents in New York City on travel visas. When the visas expired, his father returned to Santo Domingo, but his mother stayed in New York, hoping to build a better life for her two sons.

While Padilla was in elementary school, his family spent two years in homeless shelters. Thanks to a library and mentoring from a young shelter volunteer, his interest in learning blossomed until he was accepted with a full scholarship to an elite private school in Manhattan. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Princeton, a master's degree at Oxford, and a Ph.D. at Stanford.

At the end of his memoir, he writes, “As much as I love America, I’m angry with it, too. Every single day, the ambitions and aptitudes

of the undocumented millions are trivialized and marginalized by an immigration policy lacking in rationality and justice.”

After his presentation, Padilla took questions from the audience and signed copies of his book.

Dan-el Padilla Peralta

Summer 2017 9

AROUND CAMPUS

Eight Students Join the Church Eight Neumann University students joined the Roman Catholic Church in a ceremony performed by Bishop Edward M. Deliman on April 23. Front: Cassidy Deane, Andrea De La Cruz ’17 and Rebecca Cruice. Back: Jaclyn Hahn, Jessica Donovan, Matthew Zendejas ’17, Ashley Girard, and Kabreeze Sheed.

Eight Neumann students completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and joined the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, April 23, at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania.

The students are Jessica Donovan and Kabreeze Sheed from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Rebecca Cruice, Cassidy Deane and Jaclyn Hahn from the Diocese

of Camden; Andrea De La Cruz ’17 from the Diocese of Wilmington; Ashley Girard from the Diocese of Trenton; and Matthew Zendejas ’17 from the Diocese of San Bernardino, California.

“The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a program intended to provide those students who express a desire to be fully received into the Catholic Church,

with preparation for the reception of the sacraments,” explained Patrick McKenzie, director of Campus Ministry at Neumann.

“During this academic year, eight students requested to be part of the program offered here through the office of Campus Ministry. The candidates have spent countless hours in prayer, reflection, and service in preparation for the reception of their sacraments and are eager to share this moment with their families and the Neumann University Community.”

The Mass was officiated and the ceremony performed by Bishop Edward M. Deliman, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem and auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia.

University Chaplain Receives NCEA Award Reverend Stephen Thorne ’15, University Chaplain, received the 2017 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) for his dedication and commitment to excellence.

Fr. Thorne is one of 42 educators in the country chosen to receive the award. There are more than 150,000 Father Stephen Thorne teachers, administrators and diocesan leaders in the nation’s Catholic schools.

He was recognized during the annual NCEA 2017 Convention & Expo on April 18 in St. Louis, MO. The award honors those whose ministry is Catholic school education and who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy, exceptional ability, dedication, and results.

Fr. Thorne serves as pastor of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in North Philadelphia in addition to his duties as university chaplain and adjunct faculty member in the Division of Education and Human Services. He has also volunteered

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his time and expertise to assist Gesu School, an independent Catholic school in Philadelphia.

“From kindergarten to graduate school, I have benefited from Catholic school education,” said Fr. Thorne. “I teach and proclaim the Gospel as a college professor, mentor and, especially, a pastor.”

Since his ordination in 1998, Fr. Thorne has served as parochial vicar and parochial administrator for Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Chester, PA; theology faculty member and moderator of the community service corps at Saint John Neumann High School, South Philadelphia; executive director of the Office for Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Philadelphia; pastor at Saint Therese Catholic Church, Mt. Airy Philadelphia; and administrator of the Daniel Rudd Fund of the National Black Catholic Congress, Baltimore, MD. He has a special interest in urban education and has presented research at the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education and the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators.

AROUND CAMPUS

Bruce Alexander Turns Addiction Upside Down

Dr. Bruce Alexander

“I was advertised as a controversial speaker, and I aim to live up to that,” Dr. Bruce Alexander told his audience in the Meagher Theatre.

In his 90-minute presentation to more than 125 students and faculty, Dr. Alexander more than lived up to his billing.

“Drugs don’t cause addiction,” he said during his March 30 lecture entitled The Road from Rat Park. “Our problems are deeper than drugs, and we’ve used drugs as a smokescreen.”

In a soft-spoken and reasoned manner, he made his argument. First, he explained his famous Rat Park experiment in which he gave 60 rats doses of morphine over a long period of time to make them addicted to the drug. He then placed half of the rats in tiny Skinner boxes (one per cage) and the other half in a large, open area (rat park) where they could play and socialize. The rats in both environments were offered food, water and morphine. High numbers of the rats in cages kept taking morphine; in rat park, however, fewer and fewer of the rats kept taking the drug.

Alexander readily admits that the results of experiments with rats are not applicable to human beings, but the rat park phenomenon does indicate that the social environment seems to have an impact on the manifestation of addiction.

Next he cited a 2011 study, which found that people were addicted to a large variety of activities — shopping, pornography, eating and work, among others.

The study does not diminish or trivialize the seriousness of drug addiction, but it does illustrate that addiction is a broad issue, not confined to an unhealthy dependency on the drug du jour, whether it be heroin, crack cocaine or opioids.

If there were no drugs, there would still be addiction.

Finally, he referenced a study by the World Health Organization, which found that most people who use drugs recreationally do not become addicted.

So, if drugs don’t cause addiction, then what does? Alexander argues that the fragmentation of society (its emphasis on individualism and competition) causes widespread social and cultural dislocation. “Addiction,” he said, “is a way of adapting to dislocation.”

Is our society so fragmented that addiction of all kinds may become more common? According to Alexander, “The terrible mess of contemporary society” makes it difficult for large swaths of people to find stability. Witness the 900 people who died of overdoses last year in Philadelphia and the additional 900 overdose deaths in British Columbia, Alexander’s home Canadian province.

“Our social system,” he concludes, “is uninhabitable to many.”

Rather than accepting the common wisdom that “we have social problems because we have drugs,” Alexander believes that we have drugs because we have social problems.

Alexander has counseled hard-core heroin addicts, conducted psychopharmacological research, supervised field research on cocaine for the World Health Organization, and interviewed university students about their drug and process addictions.

Since retiring from Simon Fraser University as Professor Emeritus in 2005, Bruce Alexander has lectured frequently in Canada and Europe.

He was awarded the Sterling Prize for Controversy in 2007.

Students Impress PA Economic Association Four students in a Neumann senior seminar class produced a report on Cork Industries, a manufacturer of coatings and adhesives in Folcroft, Pennsylvania. The findings were presented at the Pennsylvania Economic Association (PEA) conference on June 1-3 at Alvernia University.

Under the guidance of Dr. Mehdi Hojjat, Amber Clements ’17, Welyne Jargbah ’17, Devon King ’17, and Samantha Mathis ’17 researched the company and presented an industry analysis, competitor analysis and SWOT analysis in their 42-page report.

The seminar team’s recommendations addressed the variety of products offered, the feasibility of expansion, and the practicality of the company’s website.

As a service to the community, Dr. Hojjat regularly arranges for business students to work with area executives and small business owners to develop plans to expand the scope and effectiveness of local firms. Students work closely with their professors, who themselves have extensive handson management experience, to assess the company’s competitiveness and create customized business expansion plans.

The PEA is a professional association of economists and allied social scientists in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

With Dr. Mehdi Hojjat are Devon King ’17, Samantha Mathis ’17, Amber Clements ’17, and Welyne Jargbah ’17, authors of a business report that was presented to the Pennsylvania Economic Association.

Summer 2017 11

Dr. Chris Domes with Sir Francis.

Neumann is the third Franciscan college for Dr. Domes.

Dr. Chris Domes: The Resume PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Silver Lake College (2013-2017) President

Marymount University (1996-2013) Vice President, Student Development and Enrollment Management Vice President, Enrollment Management Dean of Admission St. Bonaventure University (1986-1996) Director of Admissions for Recruitment and Retention University Registrar Director of Academic Records Associate Director of Admissions Assistant Director of Admissions

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND EdD — The George Washington University MS in Education — St. Bonaventure University BA in History and Secondary Education — St. Bonaventure University

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Dr. Theresa Pietsch, associate dean of Nursing, and Dr. Domes review some of the blueprints for the new Student Life and Health Sciences Center.

DR . CH R IS DOM E S :

“This Feels Like Home”

by Stephen T. Bell

Rural roots. Close-knit family. St. Bonaventure education.

These are the features that shaped the character of Dr. Chris E. Domes, the man who will become the sixth president of Neumann University on July 17, 2017.

He grew up in Sardinia, a small town about 40 miles south of Buffalo, New York. “It was a rural, farming community,” Dr. Domes explains.

“Both sets of my grandparents ran dairy farms. I was close to them, so I gardened, cut wood and learned to drive a tractor at a young age. My dad worked in manufacturing at Diamond Saw, a place that makes saw blades, for 45 years.

My mom had a variety of part-time jobs while my brothers and I went to high school. When we moved out, she took a full-time job at Motorola in Arcade, NY.” To illustrate just how close-knit the community was, Dr. Domes tells a story about his maternal grandparents. There was a one-room schoolhouse adjacent to their property until a new school was built in town, several miles away from the farming families. To transport the neighborhood children into town, his grandparents bought a wood-paneled station wagon and provided rides to school. The following year, the school district bought a small, makeshift bus (a Dodge truck chassis with the bus attached), launching his grandmother’s new career as a bus driver.

“My grandmother was a small woman and couldn’t reach the pedals, so my grandfather put blocks of wood on the pedals so she could drive. She had that same bus route and drove three or four generations of families to school for more than 40 years.”

His family is Methodist, but exposure to the Catholic Franciscan tradition was driven by two men: Greg Feller at Pioneer Central High School and Fr. Dan Riley at St. Bonaventure University.

In Dr. Domes’ sophomore year of high school, Feller arrived as a new history teacher. “Greg was just cool, very cool.

He had a beard, long hair and drove a yellow Volkswagen Thing. He was funny and very animated as a teacher, so all of us were enamored with him. He was a graduate of St. Bonaventure and told us stories about all the experiences he had there and his great professors.”

The Feller role model sold the young Domes on a St. Bonaventure education.

It was not easy for Dr. Domes’ parents to afford a private college, but they made it happen. Dr. Domes recalls that St. Bonaventure was “an incredible transformational experience.” The place was “nurturing me as a person and creating a holistic path for where my life was going.”

He was a resident student and became friends with Fr. Dan Riley, a friar, who lived down the hall from

him. Taking theology and philosophy classes were new to Dr. Domes, as were participation in campus ministry activities and retreats. He became “a sponge, learning about the Franciscan intellectual tradition” and, at the end of his sophomore year, converted to Catholicism. Dr. Domes and Fr. Riley have remained friends for 30 years.

After graduating from St. Bonaventure in 1985, Dr. Domes taught for a year and then returned to his alma mater as assistant director of admissions. He earned a master’s degree there in 1989 and met his wife Mary, who also worked at the university, in the early 1990s.

His professional life has taken him from St. Bonaventure, where he spent 10 years, to a 17-year stint at Marymount University in Virginia, to the presidency of Silver Lake College.

Continued 0n page 14

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Domes can quickly establish a good rapport with students.

Summer 2017 13

Neumann University Presidents 1965 – 1971 Sister Mary Everilda Flynn, OSF † ✦

1971 – 1983 Sister Madonna Marie Cunningham, OSF † ✦

1983 – 1989 Sister M. Margarella O’Neill, OSF † ✦

1989 – 1996 Dr. Nan Hechenberger † ✦

1996 – 2017 Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda ✦

2017 – Dr. Chris E. Domes † Deceased

✦

Save the Date FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 For the Inauguration of

DR. CHRIS E. DOMES ✦

DR. CHRIS DOMES

Continued from page 13

His journey of the intellect and the heart has inspired him and provided clarity about a greater purpose in life. “I am first and foremost an educator,” he states with the certainty of someone who recognizes his calling. “I want to help young people gain access to higher education. I want to pay it forward.”

Through more than 30 years of front-line experience and leadership in higher education, Dr. Domes has learned that “at the center of every conversation with families are their goals, hopes and dreams for each other.” A vital factor in achieving these dreams is earning a college degree and experiencing the perspective provided by a liberal arts education.

At Neumann, his plan is first to “listen and understand where I fit into the story,” an approach that was successful for him at Silver Lake College. At the same time, he will “provide leadership around our strategic direction, champion NU and its mission to keep the institution moving forward, and recognize the talents, gifts and resources that we have.”

He is also eager to apply his experience — especially in enrollment management, fundraising and philanthropic support — to grow the institution.

“Each place I’ve gone, I have connected with the founders, and that’s a gift. They’re professed, religious people who have committed their lives to serving God. When Mary and I had dinner with the Sisters here at Neumann, it was a joyful experience, and I said to her, ‘This feels like home.’”

“I am first and foremost an educator,” says Dr. Domes. “I want to help young people gain access to higher education.”

14 Accent Magazine

AROUND CAMPUS

CLASSIC BLUE

In a nod to the green jacket given to the winner of the Master’s Golf Tournament, the University presented Tony Mirenda with his own Neumann-blue jacket at its June 5 Neumann University Brendan P. Kelly '87 Celebrity Golf Classic for his support of the event through the years. Helping him don the jacket are Tracey DiSerafino, women’s golf coach; Scott Bogard, director of external affairs; and Judi Stanaitis ’07, ’13, director of alumni and special programs. Vice President Henry Sumner is announcing the presentation as Larry Weathers, Lee Strofe, and Dr. Mirenda look on.

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Summer 2017 15

Jen Sieminski won the conference title game with a shutout against Immaculata and picked up the CSAC tournament MVP award.

AT H L E T I C S

Spring Sports: Softball Wins Third Straight CSAC Title Outdoor Track & Field

Men’s Tennis

The men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams celebrated several milestones over the course of the 2016-2017 season.

On the women’s side, the 4x800 meter relay team of Hayley Glah, Leigha Mayers, Rachel Wolters and Siobhan Cunningham set a school record with a time of 11:13.09.

Nafisa Saunders was also excellent for the women’s team all season, culminating with the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship meet.

At the meet, Saunders won the long jump (1.53 m), placed second in the 100 meter dash (13.30) and joined teammates Faith Fayiah, Amirah Guererro and Diamond Talley to finish second in the 4x100 meter relay (51.02). On the men’s side, Nathan Hawk set a program record in the 3000 meter steeplechase (11:42.40), while the 4x800 meter relay team of Kasib Darden, Pares Nichols, Nafees Norris and Stephen Battle set a school record with a time of 8:43.23. Francis Terry was also outstanding for the Knights on the season, winning the CSAC title in the 200 meter dash (22.35).

The men’s tennis team qualified for the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) postseason for the sixth straight season in 2017 and finished the season 5-6 overall and 5-2 in CSAC play. The team made the conference playoffs as the three seed and fell just short in the conference semifinals versus Immaculata.

Daniel Rival had a fantastic freshman season for the Knights, earning the CSAC Rookie of the Year Award. Zac Lazarro was also named a first team All-CSAC performer, while Jordan Collins earned second team honors.

Men’s Golf The men’s golf team finished fifth at the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship for the 2017 season with a two-day total of 685 (345-340).

Joe Mitchell led the way for the Knights with a two-day total of 161 (80-81) to finish 19th overall. Pat McCann also played well for Neumann, finishing the tournament with a score of 168 (83-85),

Women’s Golf The women’s golf team competed in its second season as a varsity sport during 2016-17 under head coach Tracey DiSerafino. Julia Fair, Brittany Naimoli and Chelsea Polidoro played well all season for the Knights, who will look to continue to improve next season.

16 Accent Magazine

Baseball The baseball team went 21-18 overall and 14-7 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action to qualify for the postseason for the ninth straight season.

Seven Knights were awarded with conference honors on the season. Cody MacNair and Zach Youngberg led the way on the first team, while Evan Emerich, Chuck Trentler and Matt McLaughlin were named to the second team. Eric Bergman and Grant Wallace also received honorable mention All-Conference accolades.

MacNair was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team.

Softball The softball team won its third straight Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship with a 5-0 win over Immaculata. Jen Sieminski picked up the win in the title game to earn the CSAC tournament MVP award.

The Knights finished 29-16 overall and 19-3 in conference action to pick up their 14th straight appearance in the conference playoffs. The team also played well in the NCAA tournament, picking up a win over Mount Saint Mary College (NY) before falling to Christopher Newport.

Haley Broomell, Julia Cox and Jackie Schneider were all named to the All-

Conference first team, while Becky Guinto and Taylor Sirolli received second team honors.

Broomell, Cox, Guinto and Schneider also received several other postseason honors.

Cox, Guinto and Schneider received NFCA and ECAC all-region honors, while Broomell, Guinto and Schneider were named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

Women’s Lacrosse The women’s lacrosse team went 10-9 overall and 7-2 in conference play, falling in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) semifinals.

Lydia Beckman, Brittany Cassidy and Kaitlyn Conrad all received second team All-Conference honors, while Shae Risley and Taylor Klever picked up honorable mention All-Conference awards.

Men’s Lacrosse The men’s lacrosse team showed tremendous improvement this season, finishing 6-9 overall and 3-4 in conference play. The team narrowly missed out on postseason play, falling in its final game in overtime at Immaculata to miss the playoffs by one game.

Chase Fraser led the team all year long and received first team All-Conference honors.

The senior led the nation in goals per game (4.74) and was also named to the first team in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South.

Additionally, Xavier Glanzel was named second team All-Conference, while Chris Augustine and Ryan Martin notched honorable mention honors.

Kaitlyn Conrad prepares to shoot in a match against Rowan. She was one of three Knights who made the All-Conference second team.

DeShawn Lowman pulls down a rebound against Catholic University.

He was named the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Player of the Year.

Winter Sports: Men’s Basketball Notches Best Season Men’s Basketball The men’s basketball team had its best season in program history this year, finishing the year with a record of 25-3 and 17-1 in conference play. The Knights took home their second Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship, beating Gwynedd Mercy by a score of 77-53 in the final.

The team was ranked as high as 11th in the country during the season and also hosted an NCAA regional for the first time in program history, falling in the opening round to visiting Nichols College by a score of 96-93.

Despite the setback, the Knights finished first in the country in scoring margin, outscoring their opponents on the year by an average of 18.5 points per game.

Darian Barnes was named the CSAC Defensive Player of the Year and was joined on the All-Conference first team by DeShawn Lowman. Carl Wallace was named second team All-Conference, while head coach Jim Rullo was named CSAC Coach of the Year.

Lowman was also named the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Player of the Year.

Women’s Basketball The women’s basketball team finished the season with a record of 18-9 and 13-3 in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC)

play, falling in the conference semifinals to Gwynedd Mercy. The Knights also qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament for the second consecutive season.

AAliya Hayes led the team all season and was named both the CSAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Joining her in All-Conference honors were Nafisa Saunders (second team) and Lauren Legler (honorable mention).

Hayes was also named an ECAC all-star, a D3hoops.com first team All-Atlantic Region performer, and a member of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Academic All-Area team.

Women’s Ice Hockey

Men’s Ice Hockey

The men’s and women’s indoor track teams had a successful 2016-17 season, setting several records during the season. On the women’s side, Siobhan Cunningham set the program record in the 1000 meter run, finishing with a time of 3:37.38. On the men’s side the 4x400 meter relay team of Francis Terry, Nafees Norris, Kasib Darden and Pares Nichols set another school record with a time of 3:31.93. Terry also qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships in both the 200 meter dash and 400 meter run, with season best times of 22.70 seconds in the 200 meter and 50.64 seconds in the 400 meter.

The men’s ice hockey team finished the season with a record of 16-8-3 overall and 7-6-1 in Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West play, dropping a heart-breaker in the conference semifinals versus Utica.

It was a solid year for the Knights that featured a national ranking as high as 11th in the country. Neumann was led by first team All-ECAC West performer Jory Mullin, who led the country in goals per game (1.04) while also being named a CCM/ACHA second team All-American.

Jake Davidson and Anthony Pupplo also received postseason accolades, each earning honorable mention awards from the ECAC West.

The women’s ice hockey team wrapped up its season with a 7-15-3 overall record to go along with an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West record of 3-12-3.

Bek Lucas led the way for the Knights over the course of the season, finishing 9th in the country in points to garner first team All-ECAC honors. The junior forward was also named to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s All-Area women’s at-large team.

Indoor Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

Summer 2017 17

Scholarship Gala

HONORS

Anthony Mirenda, Neumann University ambassador, and Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, University president, presented Presidential Humanitarian Awards to Eileen McDonnell, Sr. Clare Christi Schiefer, and Mario Civera.

Tony and Dr. Rosalie Mirenda surrounded by the 2016-17 Presidential Ambassadors.

18  Accent Magazine

ADVAN CE M E NT

HUM A NITA R I A NS

Pennsylvania Representatives Leanne Krueger-Braneky and Stephen Barrar presented Dr. Mirenda with official recognition from the Commonwealth for her extraordinary service.

Jersey Gina, daughter of faculty member Dr. Gail Corso, provided entertainment during the reception at the Drexelbrook.

Neumann University bestowed three Presidential Humanitarian Awards during its 18th Scholarship Gala on April 1. 2017, at the Drexelbrook Catering and Special Events Center. Honored were Mario J. Civera, Jr., Eileen C. McDonnell, and Sister Clare Christi Schiefer, OSF. Civera was born and raised in Delaware County, and lives in Drexel Hill. He is a public servant with 41 years of experience in various levels of government. He is now chairman of Delaware County Council.

McDonnell has been chairman and chief executive officer of Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since July 2013. She previously served as chief executive officer, president, and chief marketing officer for the company.

Sr. Clare Christi serves as president of the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association. She directs the efforts of a statewide organization comprised of Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, health care systems, sponsoring religious congregations, dioceses, and other related groups.

Donna Crilley Farrell, former Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray, and respected New York professor Sandra Sollod Poster.

The crowd of 350 guests also recognized Dr. Mirenda, Neumann’s retiring president and longtime resident of Middletown Township, with several standing ovations during the evening.

James Delaney, chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, led a special toast in which he called Dr. Mirenda “Neumann’s guardian angel.”

Dr. Mirenda thanked the donors, saying “Your financial support of Neumann University and scholarships provides the much-needed assistance for scores of young women and men who otherwise might not be able to experience Neumann’s uniquely personal Catholic Education in the Franciscan tradition.”

In its 18 years, the Scholarship Gala has raised more than $2 million for student scholarships. The 2017 event netted more than $186,000 — a record for the annual Gala.

The award was established anonymously in 2002 in honor of Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda, president of the University, and her husband Tony, Neumann’s ambassador-at-large. The award is given to those whose lives reflect: a commitment to serve humanity and empower the underserved; a devotion to religious and family values; an appreciation for philanthropy and giving back; a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of vision; and a demonstrated respect for education and positive intellectual life.

Many past Humanitarian Award recipients attended the Gala to recognize the service and dedication of Dr. Mirenda, who has led the University for 21 years.

Among them were veteran journalists Bill Baldini and Pat Ciarrocchi; U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan, Judge Dominic Pileggi and Pennsylvania Representative Stephen Barrar; University Trustees John Ford and Frank Janton; Congregational Minister Sr. Kathy Dougherty, OSF; communications expert

Summer 2017 19

ADVAN CE M E NT

Forward with Faith Forward with Faith is a special campaign to honor the legacy of Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, former president of Neumann University, and her husband, Tony, Neumann’s best ambassador, for their years of leadership, vision, and commitment to students and to the University’s Catholic Franciscan mission. The campaign has three components.

Student Life and Health Sciences Center The Student Life and Health Sciences Center will facilitate the education of nurses, physical therapists, social workers, athletic trainers, and exercise and nutrition specialists. These professionals are needed to address market demands in health care, the career that brought Dr. Mirenda to Neumann University more than 40 years ago (1973).

Goals of the Center’s educational programs include the prevention of illness, and the care of the aging, children and individuals experiencing acute or chronic illness. With this construction, Neumann University will be in a position to increase its graduate and undergraduate enrollment and to prepare young women and men to serve in the health care professions in Pennsylvania and the region.

Endowment for Two Institutes Enhancement of the endowment for the Institute for Franciscan Studies, already established with a gift from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, will ensure Neumann University’s Catholic Franciscan character and identity through consistent, systematic education, formation, and

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Endow Scholarship The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick has endowed a Neumann scholarship with a $25,000 gift. The scholarship will provide recognition and financial assistance to students who participate in study abroad or other related University travel programs to Ireland.

Eligible students are full-time undergraduates at Neumann who travel to Ireland to engage in academic or service programs.

Recipients will be selected by the University annually, the number of such scholarships determined by the Office of Financial Aid. As explained on its website, “the Society exists to promote Irish culture, education and provide aid. It performs these duties in the form of scholarships and benevolence, as well as through events and activities. The Society has always been nondenominational, welcoming male and female members from all religious backgrounds. Citizens of the United States of Irish lineage, over eighteen years of age and of good moral character are eligible for membership.”

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research/writing focused on the continual deepening of the integration of mission into the University’s academic instruction.

This Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development was founded in 1999 and has already been established with multiple gifts from individual donors.

Enhancement of this endowment will ensure this unique and distinctive ministry — dedicated to the practical application of the role of sport in the spiritual, faith, character and leadership development of student athletes and coaches — continues to transform perspectives, inspire behavior, and deepen awareness of self, others and God in a manner reflective of Neumann’s Catholic Franciscan identity.

To learn more, visit www.neumann. edu/ForwardWithFaith.

Thank you!

The Offices of Alumni Relations and Admissions would like to thank the 70 alumni volunteers who wrote personal notes of congratulations to hundreds of applicants across the country, encouraging them to make Neumann their college of choice. A uniquely personal touch from a uniquely personal University!

Volunteering at Neumann is a perfect way to stay engaged! To check out volunteer opportunities, visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/volunteer

ALUMNI NEWS

Dear Alumni, It is a bittersweet time in our University’s history as we witness the retirement of our beloved president, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, and welcome the leadership of our new president, Dr. Chris E. Domes.

Throughout this transition, I have reflected on how to introduce Dr. Domes to you. As we recall the University’s history, a story starts to take shape. We have graduates of Our Lady of Angels College, Neumann College and Neumann University.

All of you collectively tell the story of this institution and represent its rich history.

I could explain who our alumni are by using a more statistical approach: 80% of our graduates live within 100 miles of campus, alumni are located in each of the 50 states and in 14 different countries around the world, etc. Those statistical descriptors, however, fall short of portraying who all of you truly are and the love you have for Neumann.

So, as we welcome Dr. Domes to campus and I introduce him to you, our Alumni Association, I need only look at the degrees earned, your personal and professional accomplishments, and the impact you have made within communities. You are leading, educating and inspiring a new generation of thinkers. You are nurturing, healing, researching and dedicating your lives to others.

You are the innovators who move organizations from ordinary to extraordinary. With pride, I can say that you are true to our Franciscan mission — using your education in the service of others.

Continue to share your stories with the Office of Alumni Relations so that we may share them with pride. Whether by email, letter or personal visit, I encourage you to get to know Dr. Domes as he immerses himself in the blue and gold!

Sincerely,

Judi Stanaitis ’07 ’13 Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement

ALUMNI EXECUTIVE BOARD

Four Sisters, Four Neumann Nurses: Erica Spielman ’13, Jennifer Zoch ’17, Sarah Raiburn ’11 and Elizabeth Raiburn ’09.

Colorwalk Each year students, faculty, parents and alumni gather at the NU Colorwalk to raise money for the Riley Scholarship. What started as a student project to endow a scholarship has captured the imagination of students and become a staple in spring programming.

Beginning with activities in the Mirenda Center (such as poster boards to raise awareness of certain types of cancers and glow stick fun) and ending with a walk past luminaries that signify someone’s battle with cancer, each person has the chance to participate.

This year, almost $5,000 will be added to the endowed scholarship that helps support Neumann students who have lost a parent or guardian to any type of cancer.

Seeks Members

The Neumann University Alumni Executive Board (AEB) is seeking new board members.

All graduates of Neumann University are eligible to apply.

Alumni Board members must attend and actively participate in all AEB meetings (6-9 per year), participate in the Neumann Fund, and be a knowledgeable and informed ambassador for the university and the Alumni Association.

Board experience is preferred but not necessary.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/aebapply or call Judi Stanaitis at 610-558-5544 (stanaitj@neumann.edu).

Summer 2017 21

ALUMNI NEWS

Alumna Receives Franciscan Federation Award Sr. Pat Hutchison, OSF ’70 has received the 2017 Franciscan Federation award from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. An announcement by the Sisters describes the awardee as someone who “embodies the best of our Franciscan teaching tradition and exhibits in her ministry a personal, communal, transformative presence as she engages and develops servant leaders.”

As director of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies at Neumann University, she has been instrumental in integrating the Franciscan spirit not only in campus ministry but into student activities and the curriculum at all levels. She served as the editor of the AFCU journal for 12 years and chaired the AFCU 2016 bi-annual symposium on the theme of revitalizing the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition.

Sr. Pat, a teacher and principal in her early years, was one of the first administrative assistants of the Federation, from 1993 to 1995. She, along with 20 other Franciscans, created and presented the Facing the Christ Incarnate national program of the Federation from 1994-1997. As sponsorship director of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Sr. Pat assured that the Franciscan charism was alive in every sponsored ministry. Her doctoral dissertation from Widener University addresses the integration of the Franciscan Intellectual Life in higher education.

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Knight-2-Knight Student & Alumni Dinner On Monday, March 6, 2017 over 40 students and eight alumni gathered to take part in a networking event hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations. The purpose of the dinner is to connect students with alumni in their intended field while sharing a meal.

Discussions focus on topics that help students reflect upon and further discern their career choices, with the added benefit of an intimate networking opportunity with a professional.

Students who attended enjoyed the opportunity for open conversation with alumni and the chance to network in a professional capacity. We are grateful to the alumni who volunteered their time to be a part of this event: • Joanmarie Curtis ’09, Director of Marketing at Brinker Simpson & Co, LLP • Lindsay Hochman ’14, Food Safety Specialist at Lipman Produce • J oseph Marano ’11, Patrolman and TAC Officer at Haddonfield Borough Police Department • David Naphy ’08, Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance at Rowan University • W illiam O’Hanlon ’10, Teacher, Mount Pleasant High School/President, Brandywine Education Foundation • Kevin Oleszewski ’12, Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Bank • Julianne McAbee Spitalieri ’11, English Teacher at Williamstown High School • Noelle Stack ’09, Interim Nurse Manager at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia If you are a Neumann alumni who would be interested in participating as a table host at a future dinner, please email alumni@neumann.edu.

Alumni connected with current students who share their professional interests during a networking dinner in the Bayada Atrium.

Dreams Come True for a Baseball Alumnus It is a universal dream for young boys growing up in the Dominican Republic to play Major League Baseball. Jesus Lantigua ’16 knew that dream all too well. He was born in the Dominican Republic and started playing baseball when he was six years old.

“I told my grandmother that I was going to be a professional baseball player one day,” Lantigua said.

Baseball soon became Lantigua’s life. He kept playing when his family moved to New York City and continued baseball at Keystone College. After playing against Neumann University while he was a member of the Keystone team, Lantigua liked what he saw in the Neumann team and the University.

“I thought Neumann would be a better fit for me, and I transferred there when I was a sophomore,” he recalled.

Coming to Neumann University truly changed Lantigua’s life.

While he excelled on the ball field, he had struggled academically at Keystone. He credits his academic success to the tutoring help he received from Neumann’s John C. Ford Academic Resource Center (ARC).

“One of the reasons why I believe that I thrived at Neumann University was because of the support that I received from coaches, academic advisors and the professors. I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to attend Neumann,” said Lantigua.

One particular person stands out in Lantigua’s mind as a major player in his academic successes at Neumann.

Jesus played for the Knights and graduated in 2016.

Jesus worked at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida, before being assigned to the Dominican Republic.

“I can say I’m where I am because of all that Neumann did for me, especially Katie Callahan (ARC Coordinator of the Program for Success). I was in her office 24/7. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her,” he said.

For Lantigua, “here” is working for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Dominican Republic as a baseball operations assistant. The Pirates have a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, as do most Major League teams.

According to Lantigua, baseball is the number one sport in the Dominican Republic. The baseball academies provide training for teenage boys who have a shot at the big leagues.

Lantigua’s dream job was a result of the networking opportunities he had through the Neumann Sport and Entertainment Management major. Professor Caleb Mezzy had introduced him to Tyrone Brooks, an executive with Major League Baseball who focuses on Diversity Placement. Brooks knew that Lantigua desperately wanted to work with a Major League Baseball team.

“We stayed in touch and soon he sent me an email asking me if I was interested in the position with the Pittsburgh Pirates,” said Lantigua.

In March 2017, Lantigua was sent to Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida, to work with the spring training program for the Minor League teams. In addition to having played baseball most of his life, perhaps Lantigua’s biggest strength was that he is bilingual.

This was especially beneficial when he was sent to work in the Dominican Republic.

“Basically I am being trained in every aspect of baseball operations. Currently, I’m the assistant of the academy in the Dominican Republic. I keep stats and do advance scouting, too.

Baseball is practically my life. My goal was to play professional baseball. But you never know what the future will bring. I love being involved with baseball and I love what I do,” Lantigua said.

Summer 2017 23

CLASS NOTES

EDUCATION:

WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS:

David Naphy, ’08, M.S., received his

Amanda Biagi, ’09, B.A., married Rafael

Mariann Gilbride, ’11, B.S., graduated

Julia Keenan-Pickul, ’11, B.S., recently married Andrew Pickul, ’11, B.A., whom

Doctor of Education degree at Rowan University in 2016. this past May with her Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology.

Kelsey Mazur, ’13, B.A., graduated from

South Carolina State University with a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in May 2017.

Nieves on March 19, 2016.

she met at Neumann. Pictured below from left to right: Angelica Atkinson ’15, Regina Durso ’12, Julia Keenan-Pickul ’11, Andrew Pickul ’11, Sean Knowles ’10, Bill Cunningham ’13 and Brian Keenan ’15.

practitioner at Johns Hopkins Hospital and regional chair of the National Pancreas Foundation. She was recently featured as a spotlight in the April edition of Johns Hopkins Advanced Practice Exchange Newsletter.

from Shippensburg University with a Master’s degree in Science in Counseling/ College Student Personnel.

Chrisheena Boyd-Duncan, ’10, B.A., secured

a position in admissions for Grand Canyon University.

Clarissa Hayes, ’15, B.S., has been accepted

Matthew Sheneman, ’15, B.S., has been

accepted to Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and will begin in July 2017.

Thomas Johnson, ’16, B.S., is enrolled at

Lauren Strack, ’11, B.S., became engaged to Matthew Ciabattoni, ’11, B.S., on July 30, 2016.

Kayla Buckley, ’10, B.A., is the new tennis

Maria Sotomayor, ’13, B.A., and Scott Giacomucci, ’13, B.A., celebrated their

Sarah Kurpel, ’10, M.S., ’02, B.A., was

marriage on January 6, 2017.

the University of San Diego in the Master in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership program.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Haley Broomell, ’17, B.S., has been

laboratory scientist in the blood bank at Lankenau Medical Center. Nancy is also the music director at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Secane, PA.

accepted into Temple University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program.

Ciara Travers, ’17, B.S., will be attending

Widener University in the fall to pursue her dream job of becoming a pediatric nurse.

BIRTHS AND ADOPTIONS: Jessica Dickinson, ’12, B.S., and her husband Alexander Dickinson, ’12, B.S.,

recently welcomed Cole Thomas into the world.

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position as the vice president and chief operating officer of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in March 2017. He remains with the organization as a special advisor to the president and board of directors. He has been a member of the Atlantic District Coaching Education staff for 18 years and is currently the Atlantic District’s Associate Coach in Chief for Development.

Jim has attained the Level 4-Advanced Level Coaching certificate from USA Hockey.

Christi Knight Walsh, ’07, B.S., is a nurse

Alexandria Maurizzio, ’14, B.A., graduated

to Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

James Britt, ’06, M.S., retired from his

Nancy Liebsch, ’81, B.S., is a clinical

Nicholas Verticelli, ’93, B.A., accepted

a position as a fiber customer support analyst for Verizon at the Fiber Solutions Center in Wilmington, DE. Eric Melanson, ’04, B.S., works as a

website coordinator in Technical Support at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in CT. About his experience at Neumann and those who supported him along the way, he says, “Fast forward 10 years and I was able to land a job working at a Catholic retreat center using the skills and talents I started to develop while at Neumann.”

business manager at Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, PA. appointed the new athletic director at Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA. Heather Smith, ’10, M.S., was recently

appointed director of major giving, Pennsylvania, at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In this capacity, she secures private funding to support clean rivers and streams in the Commonwealth portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, a watershed that includes parts of six states (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York) and Washington, D.C. Cecily Ridgeway, ’11, B.A., landed a

fourth-grade teaching position at Chester Community Charter School and was accepted to Neumann’s Master of Education Program.

Evan Zielinski, ’14, B.A., was appointed the

coordinator of new media, communications and events for Neumann University’s Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. He will still hold the role of assistant men’s lacrosse coach at Neumann University.

CLASS NOTES Mark Blount, ’15, B.A., is currently

a member of the World All-Stars basketball team, and has traveled the country with the Harlem Globetrotters. He says, “The best part is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. I’m really enjoying this experience and I’m just grateful to be having this opportunity.”

Lisa Roberts Cadorette, ’16, M.S., ’89, B.S.,

accepted a position as the new executive director of the Providence Animal Center in Media, PA. Travis Hall, ’16, B.A., was sworn in

as an Upper Darby police officer on April 13, 2017.

Christopher Karr, ’16, B.S., a six-year

veteran assigned to the Upper Darby Police Department Detective Division since 2015, was recognized as 2016 Officer of the Year. Karr has a diverse background in emergency services as a tactical paramedic and volunteer firefighter.

Gary Loesch, ’16, B.S., was

named deputy commissioner of operations within the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Tiffany Martorana, ’16, B.A., has accepted

a position as the information assistant in the Office of Alumni Relations at Neumann University.

Christine Swanson, ’16, B.A., continues

advancing within Elwyn by accepting a new position with the Professional Development Department.

Chase Fraser, ’17, B.A., of the Neumann

Dequilla (Dee) Hurt, ’15, M.S., received the

Anthony Sneidar, ’17, B.S., was named

Barbara Selletti, ’07, B.A., her husband, Anthony L. Selletti, ’03, B.S., and their son Anthony J. Selletti, ’04, B.S., have

University Men’s Lacrosse Team, was drafted third overall to the Nanaimo Timbermen in the 2017 Western Lacrosse Association draft held on February 16, 2017.

deputy commissioner of technical services within the Philadelphia Fire Department.

IN THE NEWS: Gabriel Angemi, ’17, B.S., a graduate

of the Public Safety Administration program and captain in the Camden Fire Department, was recently featured on the front page of the Courier Post for his art.

He created a skateboard deck out of his Camden chronicle photography and is donating all proceeds to a Camden skate park to draw attention to the importance of this creative outlet for youth.

Eastern PA Geriatric Society Nancy Tatum Award for distinguished geriatric service in nursing on December 5, 2016 at the Union League of Philadelphia.

been widely involved in World War I projects throughout Delaware County, PA, honoring the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I. Visit http://www.wwonedelco.com/ for information and news on the various events.Additionally, Barbara and Anthony Selletti accepted a resolution presented

by Council Chairman Mario Civera, Jr. read on April 8, 2017, in Courthouse 1 of the County Courthouse in Media. The resolution is in recognition to the Sellettis and the World War One Centennial Committee organized by the couple, to commemorate the service people who contributed to their efforts and lives to the Great War which began for America on April 6, 1917.

Lori DiGuardi, ’14, M.S., was a presenter

for TEDx Tucson’s Breathing Fire Salon, held at Creative Machines, Tucson, AZ, on March 4, 2017.

WHERE are you and WHAT are you doing?

Let us know of any changes in your life that you would like to share at

www.alumni.neumann.edu/classnotes

Summer 2017 25

IN MEMORIAM Gerald A. Dallahan, Jr. Larry S. Friedman Sr. Phyllis Greco, O.S.F. ’70 Elizabeth A. Hahn ’80 Denise A. Kweeder ’89 John W. Laufer R.L. Abraham Leunissen, M.D. Mary Theresa Petit de Mange Beatrice M. Proctor ’89 Robert L. Wallace ’05 Larry S. Friedman served as University Registrar and assistant professor of English and Humanities for twenty six years. In addition to his regular duties, Larry served on over forty task forces, committees and panels during his tenure. He was awarded the Honorary Alumni Award in the fall of 2014 in recognition of his commitment to and passion for higher education and the advancement of Neumann University. Neumann was Larry’s extended family and Larry was part of Neumann’s family as well. He even chose The Rose Garden as a place to memorialize his late mother with a bench. He will forever be remembered by the staff, administration, faculty and the students he taught and served.

Elizabeth A. Hahn ’80, known as a giver to those in need, was a dedicated nurse and transplant coordinator for the Gift of Life Donor Program at CHOP. She enjoyed traveling and creating special memories with her family. Beth believed that every day was a gift, and she will long be remembered for having shared her gift with others.

R.L. Abraham Leunissen, M.D. dedicated his life to medicine as a cardiologist and internist in private practice and was a published author along with his wife, Dorothy A. Piatnek-Leunissen, Ph.D., M.D. The Drs. Dorothy A. P. and R.L. Abraham Leunissen Scholarship at Neumann University, initially established in memory of Dorothy A. P. Leunissen, Ph.D., M.D. by her loving husband, is a lasting tribute to the Leunissens for their outstanding service and leadership for their patients and the medical profession.

Mary Theresa Petit de Mange, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, was a life-long volunteer, first for in-school programs and then for extra-curricular activities for her children. Later in life, she became a board member of the Cultural Arts Forum at Neumann University which provides support for needy students through the Dr. Margaret Mary Kearney Endowed Scholarship. In addition, she served as the Program Director of the University’s monthly Cultural Arts events.

26 Accent Magazine

ALUMNI PROFILE

From the Holy Hill to Capitol Hill Not many Neumann University graduates can add “crafted a piece of Pennsylvania State Government legislation” to their resumes, but Patrick McCann ’17 most certainly can. McCann, who graduated in May with a degree in political science, spent last fall in Harrisburg working as an intern on Capitol Hill. It was an experience that shaped his future.

During McCann’s junior year he applied for the Temple University Capital Semester. Neumann has an agreement with Temple which allows NU students to participate in this internship and receive credits for the semester.

“I was the first student from Neumann to do the Capital Semester,” McCann said.

Through this program, students have the opportunity to explore government affairs, policymaking and implementation first-hand while being full-time students. Depending on placement, interns might work on specific legislation, legislative analysis, constituent service, policy research, public relations, grassroots campaigns, or special events. Some write press releases and newsletters, work on economic development projects, report on legislative hearings, engage in lobbying and advocacy efforts, or provide web design and maintenance.

“I was placed in the Urban Affairs Committee working for Representative Tom (Thomas) Caltagirone (D-127) from Berks County. I assisted the executive director in getting a bill through the legislation process,” McCann said. “Every day, part of my duties were to attend the Democratic caucuses and brief him about what was going to be voted on.”

In addition to being selected for the Capital Semester, McCann also applied and received a paid fellowship through the Bi-Partisan Management Committee Fellowship Program. While in Harrisburg, he worked 37 hours a week and has classes at night. Needless to say, McCann had little downtime.

At the end of the fellowship program, the students are required to create their own original legislation.

McCann researched the taxi cab medallion process, which is the license issued by cities to operate taxi cab businesses. He had realized the growing popularity of ride-sharing businesses such as Uber and Lyft and the impact that these companies were having on the taxi business.

“My first day on the job I met with a taxi cab lobbyist and a lightbulb went off.

That is where I figured I could make my contribution,” McCann recalled.

He created legislation called the Philadelphia Taxi Medallion Reform which sought to level the playing field for taxi companies with the increased competition from Uber and Lyft.

The life of a bill is a lengthy one —think of the School House Rock song I’m Just a Bill! McCann explained that it can take up to nine months for a proposed bill to become a law. He had to leave the program before his bill was brought before the House of Representatives for a vote; however, McCann left with a plethora of knowledge and insights regarding the political process.

“You can’t beat it and you’re not going to find a better political internship out there.

Being able to do a program like this was doubling the networking opportunities for me,” McCann said. “I was able to get an idea of the political spectrum. It was really hands on with plenty of networking opportunities,” McCann has applied for an intelligence position with the Air Force Reserves and is currently waiting on his acceptance.

Patrick McCann ’17 on the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Summer 2017 27

KUDOS

Faculty and Staff Publications, Conferences and Awards Heather Dillon Anderson, DPT, assistant professor of physical therapy, published the article “Outcome Measures for Persons with Acute Stroke: A Survey of Physical Therapists Practicing in Acute Care and Acute Rehabilitation Settings” in the Journal of Acute Care and was selected to receive the 2016 JACPT Best Manuscript Award.

Lisa Bjorkelo, instructor of nursing, is on the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Editorial Board and contributes articles to their newsletter three times a year. Her most recent article, “Certification in Academia,” is about nursing faculty with sub-specialty certification, difficulties in maintaining certifications while teaching full-time and the role of educating students about certifying.

Etsuko Hoshino-Browne, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, wrote the chapter “War and peace from an ethnocultural psychology perspective” in the book Social Issues in Living Color: Challenges and Solutions from the Perspective of Ethnic Minority Psychology, Volume 2: Societal and Global Issues by A. Czopp (Ed.), Santa Barbara, CA, Praeger Books. The co-authors of the book chapter — Andrea Kressley and Alex Fasone — were Neumann University undergraduate students who graduated in 2016.

Stephanie Smith Budhai, assistant professor and director of graduate education, received the 2017 Award for Excellence in Teacher Education from the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE). The Award for Excellence in Teacher Education honors an outstanding teacher educator who advances the field, demonstrates vision and innovation, and improves learning and teaching.

Lee DelleMonache ’05, director of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality & Character Development, attended the Sports at the Service of Humanity regional conference in June 2017. The conference, hosted by the Big East and Villanova University, is the first to be sanctioned by the Vatican following its inaugural conference on faith and sports in Rome in October 2016. Joe Glass, faculty athletic representative, Chuck Sack, director of athletics and recreation and Marco Sifoni, programming coordinator of the Institute also attended the conference.

28 Accent Magazine

David DiMarco, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, along with Ryan Savitz, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, have created a series of math colloquia hosted at Neumann University. The fourth and most recent speaker was Sister M. Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN, Ph.D., assistant dean, school of arts and sciences, Holy Family University, who presented on April 5, 2017. She spoke on Sabermetrics, which is the application of mathematical and statistical analysis to baseball records.

William Hamilton, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, presented “Activating student ownership of writing and voice via biography” at the 68th Annual Conference on College Composition and Communication, in Portland, OR, March 2017. In addition, he presented “For the blood is the lifeforce: A polyhistory of vampiric dialogization” at the International Vampire Film and Arts Festival Conference, held in Transylvania, Romania, May 2017.

Timothy Hanna, Ph.D., assistant professor of pastoral clinical mental health counseling, presented the workshop “Supervision in a political age: Responding to the impact of politics on client and supervisee well-being,” at PCMHC Supervisors’ Gathering in April 2017.

James Kain, assistant professor of English, presented “Becoming your own hero: Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as a model for successful students” at the 2017 On Course National Conference in Anaheim, CA, April 2017.

Geoffrey Karabin, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy and women’s rugby coach, had the book chapter “Living Existentialism: Essays in Honor of Thomas W. Busch” published in Gregory Hoskins and J. C. Berendzen’s book Reflections on Gabriel Marcel’s Belief in the Afterlife, Pickwick Publications, Eugene, OR, 2017.

In addition, the Neumann University women’s rugby team qualified for the National Small College Rugby Seven’s championship in the spring 2017. He is the coach of the rugby team.

Robert Kennedy, Ph.D., academic advisor, presented at the April 2017 NACADA Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, “Emotional intelligence and you: Understanding your student is as complicated as understanding yourself.” His presentation was selected from over 100 proposals and was wellreceived by his peers from the Mid-Atlantic region.

Claudia Kovach, Ph.D., professor of English and French, presented “Polidori, Stoker, Rice: The Scapegoat as Self and Other” at The International Vampire Film and Arts Festival Conference, Transylvania, Romania, May 2017.

Julie Lanzillo, Ed.D., assistant professor of sport & entertainment management, Larry Burgee, Ph.D., dean of business and information management, and Caleb Mezzy, instructor and industry relations & media specialist, presented “Blending Academics and Practitioners: Utilizing a Business Advisory Council for MS Sport Business Program Redesign” at the Alliance for Sport Business (ASB) Conference in Philadelphia, PA, April 2017.

Jason Mensinger, instructor of athletic training, presented “Incorporating performance enhancement principles into a rehabilitation plan” in June 2017 at the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium in Erie, PA. Caleb Mezzy, instructor and industry relations & media specialist, attended the MLB Winter Meetings with four NU Sport Management students and two alumni. He was there for networking and to provide guidance for the students who were there to seek internships and launch their networking opportunity. The MLB Winter Meetings is a convention for everyone in Minor and Major League Baseball from workers and scouts to front office personnel and vendors of all sorts. One student secured an internship. Another scored a one-on-one meeting with the CEO of Minor League Baseball and upon his return home found out he landed a sales internship with the Philadelphia Phillies.

KUDOS

Andrew Miller, history instructor, had his book Williamson College of the Trades published in January 2017. The book has received a Delaware County Heritage Award for best 2017 publication on the history of Delaware County.

The award was presented after the meeting of Delaware County Council on May 24, 2017.

John Mizzoni, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, had his book, Evolution and the Foundations of Ethics: Evolutionary Perspectives on Contemporary Normative and Metaethical Theories, Lexington Books, published in February 2017. In addition, he also published the book Ethics — The Basics, 2nd edition, Wiley-Blackwell, in May 2017.

Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF, ’70, vice president for mission and ministry, presented the following: “New Presidents Institute — A Conversation with Mission Officers: Hiring for Mission and Formation of Faculty and Staff” at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, January 2017; “Celtic Presentation” at St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, DE, March 2017; and “What it means to be a Naturalized Citizen” at the Naturalization Ceremony, Delaware County Courthouse, Media, PA, March 2017.

Wendy Ostendorf, Ed.D., professor of nursing, recently published the book, Clinical Nursing Skills & Techniques with Anne Griffin Perry and Patricia (9th ed.) St. Louis: Elsevier, (2018).

Robert Post, PT, Ph.D, program director and professor of physical therapy, presented “Effect of low-level 830 nm infrared Laser on median nerve distal motor conduction latencies in healthy subjects” along with several colleagues at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, TX, in February 2017.

Mary Powell, Ph.D., associate professor and director of graduate nursing program, was awarded post graduate certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the University of Massachusetts Boston on December 31, 2106, and received national certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In addition, she has also been certified in Healthy Steps for Older Adults through the PA Department of Aging. This will allow her to increase service opportunities with graduate nursing to deliver this workshop to adults over fifty students in the community Amy Brown-Savitz, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, presented a paper entitled “A Learner-Centered Approach to Teaching Undergraduate Organic Chemistry” at the spring 2017 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, CA. Ryan Savitz, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, and Neumann University student Helen Cooney were awarded a Clare Boothe Luce grant to conduct mathematics research this summer. The grant comes from the Clare Boothe Luce Foundation. It provides outstanding female math and science majors (Cooney) with the opportunity to conduct summer research under the guidance of a faculty mentor (Savitz). They will be investigating the history of the definite integral. In addition, Savitz presented “Comparing the proportion of climate change affirmers within the scientific community and the popular media” with 2016 Neumann University graduate Jess Cadorette at The National Association of Environmental Professionals 2017 Annual Conference in Durham, NC, March 2017.

Barbara Selletti ’99, ’07, interlibrary loan/reserves, presented a program called “Beginning Your Genealogy on the Right Foot” at the Aston Public Library in January 2017. She and her husband Tony became board members for the non-profit organization Saving Hallowed Ground, and are involved with the county’s WWI Centennial memorials. They are on the WWI DelCo Committee and the PA WWI Centennial Committee.

Lisa Selby-Silverstein, PT, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy, along with colleagues Tiffeny Atkins, DPT., associate professor of physical therapy, A. Liebrand, and C. Russen, published the article “Reliability and Validity of Measurements for Infants with Plagiocephaly including Development of the Skull Cap Test in Pediatric Physical Therapy” 29(1), E7-E43, 2017.

Laura Taddei, Ed.D., assistant professor of education, and Louise Whitelaw, assistant professor of education, wrote the chapter “Using reflection to explore cultural responsiveness of preservice teachers” in Fostering Reflective Teaching Practice in Pre-Service Education by author/editor Zineb Djoub.

Karen Thomas ’14, instructor communication and media arts, co-authored an article with Ryan Savitz, titled “The Value Added of Specific Long Range Temperature Forecasts” in the Journal of International Business and Economics, 17(1) in April 2017.

Reverend Stephen D. Thorne ’15, university chaplain and adjunct faculty, received the Lead, Learn and Proclaim Award from the NCEA (National Association of Catholic Education) on April 18, 2017, in Saint Louis, MO. He was among 41 national educators to be honored for excellence in Catholic education.

Sr. Diane Tomkinson, OSF, Ph.D., associate professor of theological studies, recently attended the 52nd International Medieval Congress at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, in May 2017, where she was the organizer for two sessions of papers sponsored by WIFIT/Women in the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition (a network of scholars supporting research on medieval Franciscan women).

Mary Beth Yount, Ph.D., assistant professor of pastoral and theological studies, copresented with Beth Toler, Th.D., assistant professor of pastoral clinical mental health counseling, “Competencies and identities: Ecumenism, pluralism, and interfaith engagement” at the 63nd Annual Convention of the College Theology Society (CTS) at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, in June 2017.

Summer 2017 29

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One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014-1298

www.neumann.edu CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Save the Date FRIDAY OCTOBER 6, 2017 for the Inauguration of

Dr. Chris E. Domes as President of Neumann University

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2017

October 12 – 15

Celebrating Alumni, Students & NU Families Featuring the

BEST Homecoming Picnic Ever 12 noon – 2 p.m. (rain or shine)

Saturday, October 14 All things Homecoming: Visit www.

All things Homecoming: Visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/homecoming alumni.neumann.edu/homecoming