Special Issue:
Our Catholic Identity
a magazine for Neumann University alumni, family and friends
Vol. 40, No. 1 • Winter 2012
Winter 2012 1
Save the Date Watch the Alumni Online Community (www.alumni. neumann.edu) for more information on alumni events and networking opportunities.
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Saturday-Sunday, January 28 – 29
Wednesday, April 18
Brendan P. Kelly ’87 Memorial Weekend
Business Exchange
Mirenda Center
The Springhaven Club • 5:30 p.m.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Brendan P. Kelly ’87 by playing in a basketball tournament to raise money for scholarships in his honor. Events include alumni games, children’s activities, a Taste of Philly lunch, NCAA double header and family Mass. Visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/kelly12
The Division of Business and Information Management will hold its premier networking event at the Springhaven Club in Wallingford, PA. For more information, please contact Donna Bendistis at 610-558-5594.
Sunday, February 12
Parent Breakfast and Tour
Alumni Vow Renewal Bachmann Main Building, Sacred Heart Chapel 4:00 p.m.
Alumni will have the chance to renew their vows and their commitment to one another during a special mass followed by a dessert reception. For more information, call 610-558-5544.
Wednesday, March 14
Charter/Sponsorship Day Neumann University Campus • 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Join our 47th anniversary celebration. Highlights include liturgy at noon and the Dr. Dorothy A.P. Leunissen Presidential Lecture at 2 p.m. Edel Bhreathnach will speak about the 800th Anniversary of St. Clare’s Entrance into the Franciscan Movement, and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM, Cap. will receive an honorary degree. For details, call 610-558-5513.
Tuesday, March 27
Continuing Adult and Professional Studies Appreciation Celebration
Saturday, May 5 Mirenda Center • 10:00 a.m.
Neumann parents and families are invited to the annual breakfast with Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, president, followed by an insider’s tour of Our Lady of Angels Convent. For more information call 610-558-5544.
Saturday, May 12
Commencement South Lawn • 12:30 p.m.
More than 600 students will join the ranks of NU alumni amidst the traditional trappings of commencement exercises.
Friday, May 18
Blue Rocks Frawley Stadium, Wilmington, DE • 4:30 p.m.
Take in a ball game, picnic with friends and enjoy the great American pastime the way it used to be — with free parking and seats close to the field. Loads of fun in a family-friendly atmosphere. For tickets, visit www.alumni.neumann.edu/bluerocks12.
D’Ignazio’s Towne House • 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Monday, June 4
The Division of Continuing Adult and Professional Studies will host its annual networking and appreciation celebration for faculty, staff and alumni at the Media Towne House. For more information, contact Deb Knoblauch at 610-361-5440.
Eighth Annual Brendan P. Kelly ’87 Celebrity Golf Classic
Saturday, March 31
Thirteenth Annual Neumann University Scholarship Gala
The Springhaven Club • 1 p.m.
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a duffer, you’ll enjoy this day on the links with a host of celebrities who have Delaware Valley connections. All proceeds benefit student scholarships. For ticket and sponsor information, call 610-558-5513.
Hotel du Pont, Wilmington, DE • 7 p.m.
Various Dates
Enjoy an elegant evening of music and fine dining to support student scholarships at Neumann. The success of this event throughout the years has generated more than $1 million to provide young men and women the opportunity to experience Catholic education in the Franciscan tradition. Call 610-558-5513 for ticket and sponsorship information.
Career Management Series
A series of professional workshops for students, parents, alumni and community members sponsored by the Division of Continuing Adult and Professional Studies and the offices of Alumni Relations and Career Development. Visit www.neumann.edu/cms for more information.
Accent a magazine for Neumann University alumni, family and friends
Vol. 40, No. 1 • Winter 2012
f e a ture s
President
Rosalie M. Mirenda, Ph.D.
4 Keith Primeau ’11 Honored
Former Flyers captain gets the inaugural Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development Award
en’s Soccer Reaches 6 MNCAA Sweet 16 Knights beat three-time defending national champions Messiah to get there
12 Our Catholic Identity ON THE COVER: A stained glass window in Our Lady of Angels Chapel, depicting St. Francis of Assisi.
A special section on how Neumann’s Catholicity affects every aspect of campus life
Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations
Henry A. Sumner, M.A., CFRE Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Stephen T. Bell Director of Publications
Carol DiAntonio Director, Alumni Relations and Special Programs
Judi Stanaitis ’07 Contributors
Nick DiMarino Christina Farrell Stephanie Horst Carolyn Seagraves ’84 Photography
25 Celebrate the Knight
A wrap-up of the biggest homecoming celebration ever
D e p a rt m ent s
3 From the President 4 Around Campus 28 Class Notes
Kelly & Massa, Hunter Martin David Jackson Jerry Millevoi 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, family and friends of Neumann University and is printed on recycled paper. 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.
“I am very grateful to have a generous benefactor who is making my education possible.” Grace Grant, Nursing 2014, Nora T. Carr Memorial Endowed Scholarship recipient
The Nora T. Carr Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established in November 1999 by Sr. Marie Therese Carr, OSF, in memory of her mother, Nora T. Carr, is awarded annually to a Neumann University student in good academic standing with financial need.
“Endowing a memorial scholarship at Neumann is the best way for me to remember my mother and support the University which was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.” Sr. Marie Therese Carr, OSF
Make Hi story Endow a Scholarship
Matching funds will turn your good intention into a sound investment. To learn more, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement and University Relations 610-558-5513.
Fro m the p re s ident
Letter from the President “ A Catholic university should state that, because it is Catholic, it aims to educate women and men of competence, conscience, and a compassionate commitment to service . . . ” William J. Byron, S.J.
I
n a recent article in Trusteeship, the publication of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Father Byron addresses the essential ingredients for trusteeship at today’s Catholic Colleges/ Universities. While focused primarily on the role of the trustee in the articulation of institutional mission and identity, the article provides all of us laboring in such institutions with insight into the essentials that a trustee must protect, nurture, and advance. These essentials are critical to be known and understood by the members of the university community no matter their role or position. Neumann University’s commitment to its Catholic Franciscan identity is deep, and we are desirous of the pervasive integration of this identity in all that we do. Being a Catholic Franciscan university is who and what we are — not an add-on or solely a tag line. The Chair of our Board of Trustees, administrators, and faculty share their understanding of this identity in the pages that follow. Some are more explicit than others, and all recognize that sharpening our articulation of institutional identity is important in the authentic fulfillment of the mission. Catholic identity serves to give direction to leadership and governance, to institutional decisions, curriculum, policy, and marketing; and it works to provide a distinctive image for our marketplace.
John Paul II (1990) in Ex Corde Ecclesiae wrote that every Catholic university, as Catholic must have and enjoy the following: • A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; • A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic Faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it contributes by its own research; • Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; • An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family . . . The future of Catholic universities depends to a great extent on the competent and dedicated service of lay Catholics. The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who sponsor Neumann University, and the Board of Trustees view the laity as a sign of hope not despair or grief. Each of us here, no matter our religious tradition or faith, is called to be a witness and educator of authentic Christian living, continually enhancing the distinctive Catholic Franciscan identity of Neumann. May our journey together continue to be blessed with all of God’s goodness. Pace e Bene!
Rosalie M. Mirenda President Winter 2012 5
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Primeau Receives First ISSCD Award Keith Primeau ’11 accepted the University’s inaugural Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development Award on October 12 in a ceremony on campus. After receiving the award, Primeau spoke on “The Ethical Value of Sports: Building Character through Competition.” After admitting that he had been “abrasive, callous, intense and difficult” early in his career, Primeau said that he now believes that “the proper approach should be in building strong, confident individuals who understand that winning is great as long as it is done with humility, and that losing is not a failure and can be done with tremendous integrity.” Primeau, a former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, skated with the club from 1999 to 2006. He appeared in the National Hockey League All-Star game in 1999 and 2004. A fan favorite, he is best remembered for his goal that ended the longest playoff game in NHL history, a 5-overtime contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins in May of 2000. The award is presented to individuals who exemplify the development of strong character through athletics and the embodiment of the good that exists in sports. Primeau has become a very public spokesperson about the dangers of concussions in ice hockey. He was diagnosed with the injury four times during his career, the last incident forcing his premature retirement. He appears on behalf of “Play It Cool,” a concussion prevention program that hosts education days for minor league hockey players across North America. His message is that players can be courageous and competitive without risking brain damage. A Neumann alumnus, Primeau has also agreed to donate his brain to science when he dies.
Keith Primeau ’11 (center), former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, received the inaugural Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development Award. Primeau is pictured here with Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF ’70, Neumann’s vice president for mission and ministry, and Dr. Ed Hastings, director of the Institute.
Independence Blue Cross (IBC) was the presenting sponsor of the inaugural award. The Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development is committed to the concept that sport possesses an inescapable spiritual and ethical dimension that merits academic exploration and practical application. The Institute supervises Neumann’s team chaplains, trains team captains in leadership, and produces practical resources for area coaches.
Tennis Courts Named and Blessed Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF ’70 (right) and members of the women’s and men’s tennis teams blessed the Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Fund Memorial Tennis Courts on September 14. Joseph Pappano and Alice Strine (left), trustees from the Foundation, were on hand as well as tennis coach Kayla Chamberlain ’10 (center) and Dr. Rosalie Mirenda (second from right).
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Celebrating the Spirit of Assisi More than 150 students and Sisters of St. Francis held a candlelight vigil on October 27 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi. On this same date in 1986, at the invitation of Pope John Paul II, 70 representatives of major religions gathered in Assisi to pray for world peace. Rain forced the celebration into Sacred Heart Chapel where students and Sisters participated in a brief prayer service for peace. The Praise Dancers and University Gospel Choir performed for the overflow crowd, which packed the chapel and spilled into the hallway in Bachmann Main Building. According to Sr. Pat Hutchison, OSF ’70, one of the organizers of the event, “the lighted candles serve as reminders that each of us can be a light to spread peace and to confront the threats to peace and to the environment that we face in our world today.” From afar, the group also rededicated the campus peace pole, which was recently relocated to the center of a circle of large rocks that stand between the Rose Garden and St. John Neumann Circle. Students filled every available space in Sacred Heart Chapel during a candlelight vigil to celebrate the Spirit of Assisi.
Art in the Heart of Camden Dalila Sosa works on a mural that college and high school students are creating for the Heart of Camden’s warehouse at Ferry and Fillmore Streets. The building houses supplies for Second Saturday volunteer days, coordinated by Heart of Camden. To create the art, designed by Sacred Heart parishioner Jim Schlicting, the students cut pieces of mosaic, troughed on the paste, and then applied the pieces of the mural to the façade of the building.
Ten Make Pilgrimage to World Youth Day In August a group of seven students joined in prayer and celebration with the Holy Father and more than two million young Catholics for World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. The group embarked on a ten day pilgrimage, starting in Rome, stopping in Barcelona, and culminating with a full week of World Youth Day activities. They were accompanied by Jim Gallo, the assistant director of student activities, Michael Martin ’11, campus minister, and Sr. Mary Beth Antonelli, OSF. While in Rome the group had the opportunity to visit the Vatican, along with the rare privilege of a tour of the excavations below Saint Peter’s Basilica where the tomb of the Apostle is located. The group was lucky enough to pass through the Vatican gates, and climb back 2000 years to see and explore the necropolis that lies beneath the great basilica, winding down corridors, peeking in ancient mausolea, before eventually reaching the bones that scholars believe to be those of Saint Peter himself. Other highlights of the pilgrimage included the Sistine Chapel, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, and, of course, the Pope’s visit to Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid, the pilgrims clearly saw the effects of World Youth Day. People danced and sang loudly in the Puerta del Sol, waving flags from every nation on earth. For an entire week the city of Madrid was alive with youthful excitement about the Church, and the Neumann pilgrims attended
programming throughout the city as part of the celebration, including a Franciscan village, visits to many of the Churches in Madrid, and the events surrounding the visit of the Holy Father. “It’s hard to believe there are so many young people who are so excited about being Catholic,” said senior nursing major Anastasia Anderlonis. “You just don’t realize it until you see everyone come together like this.”
Anastasia Anderlonis, Erika Cruz, and Cristina Hammond pose at the Roman Forum during their trip to World Youth Day.
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Men’s Soccer Wins CSAC, Reaches Sweet 16
Fall Sports Wrap-Up
The men’s soccer team stunned the Division III soccer world by defeating Messiah College, 1-0, and reaching the Sweet 16 in the 2011 NCAA tournament. Messiah was the three-time defending national champion and had won eight of the last 11 national titles. Andrew Leissing headed in a free kick from goalie Bob Mastrillo in the 97th minute to complete the upset. “It’s everything you dream of,” said Mastrillo of the victory, which came on Messiah’s field in overtime. Mastrillo made five saves for the Knights in the match. The loss was Messiah’s first of the season (18-1-1) and its first home defeat since 2001. Neumann reached the tournament by winning the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship for the second consecutive year, defeating Marywood University, 2-1, in the title match. In the first round, the team defeated Salisbury University on penalty kicks, 5-4, to notch the first tournament victory in program history. After the shocking defeat of Messiah, the Knights fell to Montclair State, 2-1. The team finished the season at 14-5-1.
Sloan Honored by Soccer Coaches Neumann University’s head men’s soccer coach Kevin Sloan was named the 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III Middle Atlantic Coach of the Year. Sloan was one of eight coaches in Division III to receive this honor. Coach Sloan and the Knights won their second straight Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Title and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament in 2011, the furthest the program has ever advanced.
Two other fall teams made postseason tournaments. The volleyball team lost in the CSAC championship match to Cabrini College but won an invitation to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) South tournament as a #5 seed. The Knights lost to Moravian College, 3-0, in the first round. The team’s final 2011 record was 22-14. The women’s soccer team also fell in the CSAC title game to Cabrini but earned selection to the ECAC South tourney as a #7 seed. They were eliminated in the first round by Stevenson University, 7-0, and finished the season 12-7-1. The field hockey team closed its season at 6-13, losing in the CSAC semi-finals. Women’s tennis finished at 6-7 with some promising performances from freshmen providing a positive outlook for seasons ahead.
Ostracism in Sports: How We Heal “The longing we all have is to be embraced for who we are.” With that opening thought, Dr. Dan Gottlieb tackled the issue of alienation in sports during a two-hour program in the Fred P. Meagher Theatre. Dr. Gottlieb, a psychologist, has been hosting “Voices in the Family,” an award-winning mental health call-in radio show aired on WHYYFM, since 1985. In November, he led an audience of more than 150 students, coaches and parents through an examination of how sports can wound and how people can heal those psychological injuries. Gottlieb presented video clips from three former college athletes (two of them Neumann alumni). All three had experienced alienation in their past. Chelsea was not allowed to be the captain of her high school ice hockey team because she cut and dyed her hair into a red Mohawk. Brandon was the recipient of very public criticism when he joined his high school girls’ lacrosse team after the boys’ team had been discontinued. Ed lost confidence and his sense of identity when his college basketball team began to lose in his senior year. According to Gottlieb, all three individuals experienced hurt, shame and depression because others failed to see them for who they were. The pain has remained with them for years. 8 Accent Magazine
What heals the pain caused by alienation, explained Gottlieb, is quick intervention combined with honesty and openness. He urged coaches to be role models by sharing stories of their own experiences and being willing to be vulnerable. Brandon provided his own cure in his video interview. “Put yourself in somebody else’s shoes,” he Dr. Dan Gottlieb urged suggested. “Be compassionate.” everyone to use four words Gottlieb urged everyone to use four that change everything: words that change everything: “Tell me “Tell me your story.” your story.” The willingness to say these four words and then to listen — not only in a sports setting — is the first step in embracing others for who they are. The program was co-sponsored by the Pastoral Care and Counseling Program; Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development; Division of Education; Counseling Center for Wellness; and Athletic Department.
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Bock Book Honors Nobel Prize Winner Neumann University presented the 2011 Frances and Wesley Bock Book Award for Children’s Literature to Mama Miti, written by Donna Jo Napoli. The book tells the story of Wangari Maathai, who was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work with that organization. Maathai was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. In 1976, while she was serving the National Council of Women, she introduced the idea of community-based tree planting with the organization that became known as the Green Belt Movement. Since that time, she has assisted women in planting more than 40 million trees on community lands. Children from the Child Development Center at Neumann and Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester came to watch Napoli read her book and show the illustrations. The award acknowledges Franciscan values in children’s books. Selection criteria include text that is values-oriented, interesting and stimulating for readers between ages 3 and 8, and illustrations that instill a reverence for and compassion for all creation.
Conversing with Spirits Jim Kain started the creative process for his new book by “exploring my past and looking for what changes have brought in my life.” Conversing with the Spirits, a book of poetry, is based on the concept of life as a journey. “Along the journey you have these adventures and experiences that you have to overcome, and, in doing that, you learn about yourself and the support you have in your life,” explains the author. “The book is a collection of meditations on the experiences and voices that influence a life on the journey that makes us who we are.” An assistant professor of English, Kain has published three other books: Coming to My Senses and Curved Space & the More Delicate Time, both poetry; and Sweet Tempo, a novella. Conversing with the Spirits is available at Amazon and XLibris Publishing.
Author Donna Jo Napoli with children from Drexel Neumann Academy at the Bock Book Award ceremony.
Confronting Hatred: The Laramie Project Christopher Ulrich is one of 14 cast members who staged The Laramie Project in November. The play is based on reactions to an infamous 1998 hate crime, the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. A 21-year-old University of Wyoming student, Shepard was beaten to death because he was gay. Ulrich portrays a Laramie resident, dealing with the crush of media in the aftermath of the slaying.
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K-9 Blessing
Fr. Philip J. Lowe blesses a member of local law enforcement at the annual Blessing of Animals, held on October 2 in St. John Neumann Circle. More than 50 pets came with their owners to be blessed at the event that marks the feast of St. Francis, which is celebrated on October 4.
26 Installed into ODK Twenty-six qualified juniors and seniors were installed into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the National Leadership Honor Society, on October 6, 2011. ODK stresses exemplary character, responsible leadership, service in campus and community, genuine fellowship, and consecration to democratic ideals. According to Sr. Peggy Egan, OSF ’70, dean of students, “the ODK mark of distinction is well recognized by leaders in both academic and business worlds.” Sr. Peggy played a pivotal role in getting the University accepted for membership in ODK.
Live Nativity Scene Students, faculty and staff members participated in the Greccio that drew more than 200 people to campus in early December. Baby Jesus is Gabriel D’Angelo, son of Mike D’Angelo ’05.
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Student Credits Neumann with Helping Her Shine
Neumann student Liz DeCarlo, second from left, stands with Debora Pellicano, NAAF Board of Directors, Kayla Martell, former Miss Delaware, and Maureen Frail, Wilmington Support Group Member, at the “Have a Ball and Bowl” benefit for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. DeCarlo personally raised $2,500 for the event.
For Elizabeth DeCarlo, the third time was the charm at Neumann. DeCarlo attended the open house for adult students three times before finally deciding to enroll in the degree completion program in fall 2010. “I always ended up coming back to Neumann. I felt such a strong connection here. The other schools didn’t feel as special or unique,” she said. She credits her Research Techniques class with Professor John Roland with helping her accept her alopecia areata and being able to begin to help others. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Alopecia areata affects approximately two percent of the population overall, including more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone. This common skin disease is highly unpredictable, and the disease course is different for each person. “If it was not for Professor Roland’s encouragement, support and emphasis on finding and writing about something we were passionate about, I may not have opened up about my alopecia areata. Writing my very first college research paper on ‘The Social and Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata and the Benefit of Support Groups’ has helped me accept my condition and also motivated me to become a Support Group Leader in Wilmington, DE,” she said. Diagnosed at 13, DeCarlo had a hard time accepting her condition. “I never told anyone, and I always pretended like my wig was my real hair,” she said. After going through the paperwork process with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), she held her first support group meeting last November, and ten people attended. “The first meeting went so well. Friendships were made and only one person cried. One woman was so comfortable she even removed her wig,” said DeCarlo. “I brought the results back to class and my classmates had so many positive comments about sharing,” she said. DeCarlo currently
hosts five meetings and year and says one participant drives from Jim Thorpe, PA, to attend. The Wilmington-area support group has also participated in fundraisers, including an annual Have a Ball and Bowl fundraiser which raised $9,000. DeCarlo personally raised $2,500 for the event. “Coming to school helped me grow as a person and got everything in motion for me. I had to take these steps, including starting the support group, and that paper motivated and inspired me to get over my fear,” said DeCarlo. “I feel like I have been living under a rock for so long, and I’ve finally grown.” “Professor Roland made such a positive impact on me, and I am so thankful that he was my first professor and that the Research Techniques course was my first class at NU. So many positive things have come from this experience,” said DeCarlo.
A 9/11 Prayer for Peace The Neumann University Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Yukiko Ishida, performed a concert to mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The theme of the performance was a prayer for peace on earth.
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Foundation Supports Adult Women Students The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation has awarded a grant of $26,000 for the 2011-12 academic year to support scholarships for adult women students at Neumann University. The funding will be awarded on the basis of need to women students 25 years of age or older, who are enrolled full-time or part-time in baccalaureate degree programs. To be eligible, a student must have completed 60 credits required for her degree. Since 1985, the Newcombe Foundation has granted $365,000 to the University; 250 Newcombe scholarships have been awarded to mature women students at Neumann during that time. The Foundation’s scholarship program for mature women students currently funds 31 universities and four-year colleges in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Newcombe guidelines stipulate that institutions selected for the program “welcome enrollment by mature women students and are committed to their success.”
Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship recipients Kelly Bracken, Margarita Gilspy, Andrea Blackson, Lisa Davidson, and Kimberly Galandak-O’Connor stand with Tom Wilifrid, executive director of the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, and Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, president of Neumann, at a November 3 reception honoring the Foundation.
Support for Dance Studio, Arena Stage
John Ford and Sandra Sollod Poster hold the plaque that acknowledges their gift to support the Dance Studio in the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. They were honored at the President’s Thanksgiving Reception at the Springhaven Club.
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The University honored Frank and Marie Janton for their gift to support the Arena Stage in the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. They hold the plaque that will be placed on the stage to acknowledge their gift.
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Two Named to Irish Education 100 The Irish Voice newspaper named Sr. Marguerite O’Bierne, OSF ’70, vice president for mission and ministry, and Dr. Gerard O’Sullivan, vice president for academic affairs, to the 2011 Irish Education 100. The list recognizes the top figures in education across North America who have Irish heritage. Sr. Marguerite has been published in Today’s Catholic Teacher and has been previously named to the Irish Education 100 in 2009 and 2010. She was also recognized as Woman of the Year by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Mercer County, NJ, in 2003 and serves on the Board of Trustees at the Irish-American Business Chamber and Network. Sr. Marguerite hails from County Sligo. Dr. O’Sullivan serves as a peer reviewer for The Journal of Catholic Higher Education, an evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a visitor and evaluator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and an active member of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). O’Sullivan’s father was from Cork and his mother from Leitrim. Both were recognized at a reception at the New York City home of Irish Consul Noel Kilkenny on December 14.
Blessing the Buoni Building Fr. Philip J. Lowe, accompanied by members of the Buoni family and University administrators, blesses the apartment building that opened in August and houses 80 students in modern and spacious facilities.
CLS Accredited The clinical laboratory science (CLS) program has received accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Neumann’s CLS program is one of a few in the region that offers students a B.S. in biology with a concentration in CLS. Graduates are recognized as capable of working in research facilities as well as having the essential skills to work in clinical laboratories as medical laboratory scientists. Neumann is one of three accredited university programs in the tri-state area. The accreditation benefits Neumann by identifying to the public that the University has a specialized Bio/CLS program that meets nationally established standards of educational quality. It also stimulates improvement in the program by involving faculty and clinical affiliates in ongoing self-evaluation, research, and planning. “Students who enter our program are assured that they will receive the same excellent education as any NAACLS accredited university in the United States,” said Dr. Sandra Weiss, professor and program director of clinical laboratory science.
Fashion for a Cause Maria “Gabby” Guerrero, a business major and president of Fashion for a Cause, models sportswear from Lady’s Image at the annual Cultural Arts Forum Fashion Show, held November 5 at the Springhaven Club. The event benefits the Dr. Margaret Mary Kearney Scholarship Fund, which supports financially deserving, nontraditional women students.
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Why Our Catholic Identity An interview with Dr. Rosalie
W
hen a university identifies itself as Catholic, what does that label mean in terms of the education that it provides for its students? What does the adjective say to parents and students who, more than ever, are engaged in serious comparison shopping before they make a decision about higher education? How is a Catholic campus different from any other? In the next 12 pages, members of the university faculty and administration will explain how Neumann’s Catholic identity manifests itself in student life, academics, athletics, the arts and the board room. They will address what Catholic identity means and how the Franciscan tradition influences Neumann’s Catholicity. They will examine ways in which Neumann fulfills its commitment to its Catholic roots. The question regarding why that commitment is important is best explained by Neumann’s president, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda. “It goes back to the very reason why we exist,” says Dr. Mirenda. “The Catholic Church created Catholic universities to ensure, in an institutional manner, that there would be a Christian presence in the academic world.” These universities were never meant to be monolithic arbiters of truth, she explains, but to assure that the Christian voice would be heard in the conversation. “Catholic universities are not meant to exclude the ideas of others from the discussion. In fact, quite the opposite is true. We respect the viewpoints of others and, through our universities, begin a dialog with them — all the while remaining confident and assured in our position.” Broadly speaking, the president agrees with Pope John Paul II’s statement in Ex Corde Ecclesiae that “a Catholic institution of higher education provides continual
A stained glass window in Our Lady of Angels Chapel, depicting St. Francis of Assisi. 14 Accent Magazine
Matters Mirenda, University President reflection upon the growing body of human knowledge in light of the Catholic faith; maintains fidelity to the Christian message as it comes through the Church; and emphasizes a commitment to the service of God’s people, the human family.”
The Catholic Difference For the marketplace, those high school students and their parents who are wrestling with the many variables that are part of the college selection process, Dr. Mirenda is confident that a Catholic university offers a qualitative impact in three areas: tradition, approach and curriculum. “Families should expect the Catholic tradition to be overtly expressed on campus. From the celebration of Mass to the presence of icons on campus, the rich history of the Church should be apparent,” she believes. Such is certainly the case at Neumann. Sacred Heart Chapel occupies a prominent location in Bachmann Main Building and is home to a daily liturgy at noon on every weekday. San Damiano crucifixes and Tau crosses are ubiquitous icons in classrooms and hallways. Religious statues — from St. Francis of Assisi and Our Lady of Knock to St. John Neumann and Mother Bachmann — dot the campus in prominent locations, near entrances to building and along well traveled pathways. Dr. Mirenda also points out a very particular approach to relationships that should exist on Catholic campuses. “There should be an approach to how people are treated that speaks to Christian values,” she explains. At Neumann, the Franciscan influence on Catholic identity nurtures just such an interpersonal philosophy because of the tradition’s emphasis on respect, peace, joy and social justice. This quality is essential to the educational experience that Neumann promises, so much so that it is the central theme of the university’s “uniquely personal” marketing campaign. In addition to tradition and approach, Dr. Mirenda notes that the third element that parents and students should discover in a Catholic college “is an expectation that the curriculum will meet every academic standard and, at the same time, adhere to basic Catholic principles. Parents have every right to expect that our curriculum is laced with nonnegotiables, based on Catholic values.” As an example she cites a science program that has obvious religious implications. “Our biology major should graduate knowing the discipline thoroughly — but also with a clear understanding of the Catholic perspective in this body of knowledge.”
Dr. Rosalie Mirenda received the Keys and Sword Award from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in June 2011. She has also been selected to receive the 2012 Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute’s Sourin Award, designed to recognize individuals who have dedicated their lives to the day-to-day implementation of the Catholic faith in their business, family lives, and social activities.
A Lifelong Journey According to Dr. Mirenda, the impact of such an environment for higher learning is that “Catholic ideals, attitudes and principles permeate and inform all university activities, creating a place in which Catholicism is vitally present and operative.” The positive influence of a Catholic higher education experience can last well beyond an individual’s undergraduate years, she affirms. “St. Thomas Aquinas taught that God is truth, goodness and beauty. These qualities are preeminently revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. In Catholic universities, students are taught to seek truth, goodness and beauty through critical thinking, research and dialogue. Faith and reason are not in opposition here; rather, they are necessary elements of intellectual inquiry, each of which challenges and strengthens the other. To be Catholic is to believe that the pursuit of these transcendental properties is a lifelong spiritual journey and compass that can lead one closer to God.” Winter 2012 15
Catholic Franciscan Identity Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. Benedict XVI, Catholic University of America, April 2008
T
his transformation in the lives of our students is ultimately what Neumann University is about, a transformation in “love and truth” that forms all of our students to become well-educated, productive members of society. This goal of preparing well-educated citizens can indeed be achieved in institutions of higher education that are not rooted in a religious tradition. What then is Neumann’s point of difference and how does the Catholic ethos of transformation shape the lives of our students? Although we recognize that the academic preparation of our students is primarily achieved through the curriculum in classroom settings, the student experiences in residence halls and
in the myriad activities on campus are integral to who the students become while they are here and continue to impact society when they graduate. In a national study conducted by Alex Astin, University of California, it became very evident that a “hunger exists among college students for curriculum around issues of spirituality, meaning, and purpose in work and life.” This need for young people to find an educational environment that frees them to have conversation around the ultimate questions of life, about an authentic way of reflecting on their lives, is the hallmark of our Catholic educational system. In the words of a Neumann graduate, “The Catholic element of my college experience provided for me an arena to discuss challenging, but necessary topics such as Love, Charity, Compassion, and Forgiveness. It gave me a strong foundation on which I could stand when considering topics that concern social justice. Exposure to a Catholic Tradition has provided me a stabilizing rudder and moral compass that have served me when contemplating my life’s paradoxes and seeming contradictions.” (Michael Martin ’11) The pervasive integration of our Catholic Franciscan ethos and values shapes the Neumann campus and influences in many positive ways the student experience in life outside the classroom. The student life experience at Neumann is shaped by a way of doing things that is firmly rooted in centuries of prayer, action, and critical reflection handed down through our Franciscan understanding of how to live the message of the Gospel in the contemporary world. The resurgence of interest in traditional devotions, symbols, and ritual offers us the opportunity to provide experiences for our students that have been treasures of our Catholic Faith down through the ages. The celebrations of Eucharist at the beginning of the academic year, at graduation, on weekends, and at significant events throughout the academic year — specifically
The distribution of Tau crosses throughout the year reinforces the value of ritual and symbol.
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in Student Life
By Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF ’70
to remember deceased members and relatives during November— help to shape the character of individuals who participate in celebrations of Liturgy on campus. The blessing of rooms in residence halls introduces students to the sacramental aspects of our Catholic imagination. The distribution of Tau crosses at graduation and throughout the academic year reinforces the value of ritual and symbol that students take seriously as connecting them to our Good and Loving God. In conversation with students on retreat and informal venues across campus, we learn about the students’ spiritual journey and how their spiritual life interfaces with their personal development and well being. This provides opportunities to draw on our Catholic resources and helps ground their searching for answers to life’s bigger questions. In the words of a current student: “The Catholic identity plays a key role in my life as a student at Neumann, especially through my conversations with others on campus. I have a greater connection with my Faith and a stronger bond with those people who discuss their Faith with me.” (Scott Hamell ’12) The Catholic understanding of Neumann’s mission comes to life in residence halls, in athletic events, in cultural opportunities, and in the day-to-day relationships between and among staff and students. These relationships, rooted in our “uniquely personal” brand attribute, expose our students to the best of role-modeling from Neumann personnel and provide examples of how we should live our lives with a deep respect and reverence for the dignity of the human person. Particular attention is given to the ongoing formation of resident students that reinforce Catholic teachings on moral behavior in our Living and Learning Centers. Consistent programming is provided that emphasizes the significance of developing meaningful responsible relationships rooted in a deep respect and reverence for the dignity of the human person during their time here on campus. The Knights for Life Club, whose goal is to provide programs on campus that educate students on the centrality of a strong and consistent ethic of life, gives witness to the pervasiveness of our Catholic culture. The Club’s President says it best: “Getting involved in the “respect for life” program is very important to me. I am happy that I can be a part of a group that can support life and be ‘pro-life.’ I have a lot of respect for life because I feel very blessed. I was adopted by a wonderful family when I was a month old and they have given me a great life! I am very thankful of the decision that my birthmother made. Although I have no idea who she is, I have so much respect for her because she gave me an opportunity to live.” (Jessica Foulks ’12) Devotion to the saints is a practical way of connecting the lives of our students with this aspect of our Catholic Faith. Students are strengthened and find a sense of peace in preparation for exams as they request prayers of intercession to a particular saint and know they are prayed for during their exams. In times of personal or
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
family difficulty this practice of intercessory prayer continues to provide our students with a sense of hope and consolation that is very meaningful for their lives. In addition, there are opportunities on campus for students to recite the traditional devotional prayer of the Rosary during the month of October, to participate in the Stations of the Cross during the Lenten Season, and to visit the chapel for a moment of quiet prayer and reflection between classes throughout the academic year. These experiences offer our students opportunities that help them wrestle with the daily issues of life and give them hope to work through some difficult situations that often arise in their personal lives or in the lives of their families and friends.
“ The pervasive integration of our Catholic Franciscan ethos and values shapes the Neumann campus.” The Catholic emphasis on social teaching ensures that our students develop the awareness, the reflective skills, and the will to confront the systemic injustices in society. Educating for justice and consistently reminding the Neumann University community of these lines from our Mission Statement: “knowledge is a gift to be shared in service of others” are guiding principles in the Catholic educational experience for our students. It is this education that places an emphasis on Catholic social teaching that motivates a Neumann graduate to reach out to a neighbor who recently lost his home. When asked why he went to such lengths to find a solution to the homeless situation, his response was “This is what I learned at Neumann.” Having an institution of higher education that is firmly rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, that strives to integrate the principles of this tradition with an emphasis on the rich legacy of the Franciscan intellectual tradition, makes a significant contribution not only to the life of the Church but to society generally. The values that pervasively shape the learning environment here at Neumann both in the classroom and in all of the co-curricular activities invite our students into a transformative experience so that each of them is prepared to be an instrument of transformation for our world.
Winter 2012 17
Catholic Identity in Academics A
ccording to Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, religious truth is not simply a portion of general knowledge. It is, rather, the very condition for general knowledge and the bedrock of liberal learning. Newman’s vision for Catholic higher education is based upon a simple premise: Knowledge alone is insufficient to make us good, for the simple reason that it is buffeted from all sides by human limitation. Writing in his famed essay “The Idea of a University” (1854), Cardinal Newman, then Rector of the recently founded Catholic University of Ireland, surveyed the landscape of higher education and found it wanting. He proposed a curriculum anchored in the principles of religious knowledge and suffused with the truths of faith as a bulwark against the possible corruption of learning when it is turned to less than desirable ends. Newman summarized his concerns in vivid imagery, and in characteristically lapidary prose: “Quarry the granite rock with razors, or moor the vessel with a thread of silk; then may you hope with such keen and delicate instruments as human knowledge and
human reason to contend against those giants, the passion and the pride of man.” These observations on the Catholic university and its mission received vivid restatement in Pope John Paul’s encyclicals, most notably Ex Corde Ecclesiae and Fides et Ratio. Neumann University’s distinctive academic curriculum (and most notably our core) is modeled upon Cardinal Newman’s guiding premise for Catholic higher education: That religious truth should be threaded throughout any curriculum of Catholic postsecondary instruction. To this end all of our students complete “the Franciscan twelve” — four three-credit courses in theology and philosophy — as part of their core learning experience. All Neumann students must enroll in THEO 104, Theological Foundations, which has as its goal an introduction to Scripture and the basic tenets of Catholic Christian faith. Neumann’s undergraduates are thereby introduced to the Catholic theological tradition through the lens of Franciscan spirituality, and encouraged to think critically and reflectively on Sacred Scripture, God, Christology, the Church and her sacraments, the Reign of
Faculty embed the University’s core values — reverence, integrity, service, excellence and stewardship — into their courses.
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By Gerard O’Sullivan, Ph.D.
God, the centrality of creation, the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, the dignity of the person, and Catholic teaching on social justice. Students are made aware thereby that we are all links in what Pope Benedict XVI, in his August, 2011, address to university professors, called “the chain of men and women committed to teaching the faith and making it credible to human reason.” An integral part of THEO 104 is a reflective project on the centrality of service. Through readings and written essays, students come to a deepening understanding of the Gospel’s transformative power in the world. Looking back over their own lives, our undergraduates are prompted to remember those moments in their own experiences when they were called to act beyond and outside of themselves and in service to others, especially the marginalized and those in greatest need. Slowly and methodically, our learners come to realize that all participants in such events of self-giving are changed and brought together in a manner which is unutterably sacred and ultimately mysterious. Later in the core, students enrolled in INT 202, Exploring Diversity, are given concrete opportunities to become involved in service projects Students who have completed THEO 104 are then required to enroll in a second theology course at the 200-level or higher. Among the array of theology courses offered to Neumann undergraduates are THEO 201, Sacramental Theology and Pastoral Practice; THEO 202, Sexual and Medical Ethics in Christian Perspective; THEO 208, Catholic Social and Moral Teaching and; THEO 210, Francis of Assisi: A Man of Universal Appeal.
“ Religious truth should be threaded throughout any curriculum of Catholic postsecondary instruction.” Linked to these two required sections of Theology are Philosophy 102, Ethics, and Philosophy 103, Introduction to Philosophy. Students in Neumann University’s Ethics course are introduced to moral theory and what the tradition of western philosophical thought has to say about such concepts as happiness, virtue, duty and obligation, moral agency and responsible action, the formation of conscience, bioethics, and free will. Students read selections from the great thinkers — from Plato and Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus and John Locke through the contemporary period. In their Philosophy 103 course, all Neumann students are exposed to the depth and breadth of the western philosophical tradition with particular attention paid to the historical development of the great ideas.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Faculty readily embed the University’s Catholic Franciscan core values of reverence and respect, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship — known campus wide by the acronym RISES — into their course syllabi and assess student learning outcomes associated with these values. It is not surprising to find students in a management or economics class discussing a papal encyclical, or students in a biology class pondering the magnificence of nature through a decidedly Franciscan lens. Each and every one of Neumann’s academic majors and minors reflects the University’s Catholic Franciscan identity and mission in concrete and measureable ways, across the five Divisions of the University; Arts and Sciences, Nursing and Health Sciences, Education and Human Services, Business and Information Management, and Continuing Adult and Professional Studies. At the end of each semester the Academic Affairs Office asks faculty to reflect back upon student learning as it relates to the University’s core values in order to identify and share best practices and make continuous improvements to the myriad ways in which our Catholic Franciscan identity and mission are reflected across the curriculum — in core courses, majors and minors, and related requirements. This attention to our Catholic Franciscan charism does not end with our undergraduate curriculum, however. Neumann’s distinctive graduate programs also introduce learners to the tradition and form them according to values which speak from the heart of the Church. The Pennsylvania Department of Education commended Neumann’s recently approved Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership — which aims at preparing principals and superintendents for all school systems, but most notably Catholic schools — due to its distinctive emphasis on Catholic Franciscan values. All of our graduate students enrolled in the Ed.D. program complete a series of courses suffused with the University’s intellectual and spiritual heritage and take courses which assist educational leaders in making decisions within a values-based framework. Both EDU 700, Leadership in Education, and EDU 705, Ethical Issues in Educational Leadership: A Franciscan Perspective (signature courses in our Ed.D. program), were designed to introduce students to the tenets of Catholic Franciscan ethics and leadership principles in an educational context. Neumann University has been true to the spirit as well as the letter of Ex Corde, Fides et Ratio and other Papal encyclicals on the apostolate of higher education. Cardinal Newman would be delighted to see his legacy nurtured and sustained here on what our President and Alma Mater call this “holy hill.” Winter 2012 19
Catholic Identity in Athletics N
eumann University’s Catholic Identity is uniquely apparent in our athletic program. The Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development’s (ISSCD) existence at Neumann demonstrates our deep commitment to our Catholic and Franciscan roots. As the only Institute of its kind in the country, the ISSCD believes sport possesses an inescapable spiritual and ethical dimension that merits academic exploration and practical application. This unique approach to sports helps others to see God’s presence in all things, including sports. Sports are such a significant, ever-present aspect of the American culture and it may not be always evident that God is present in an intensely contended competition. Yet, if we believe that God is a part of all creation, then God is revealing Himself even in sports; it is just a matter of seeing. The Institute is humbled to be able to help student-athletes and coaches to be aware of God even in those moments. The five pillars in the Bayada Atrium of the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development illustrate this connection between the Franciscan tradition and sports. Five
aspects of a Franciscan worldview that most easily connect with sports are reflection, respect, balance, beauty and play. The pillars illustrate these key aspects of Franciscanism and sports through stories, quotes, poems and pictures. The fact that this message is displayed on pillars is important and symbolic because these five values undergird and support our approach to sports. Further, the pillars can be lit up so that we can broadcast our unique message on this Holy Hill.
On-Campus Expressions Sports experiences that express our Catholic identity on campus are highlighted by the Commissioning Mass. Our athletes, coaches and team chaplains are commissioned three times a year at the beginning of each season. Various aspects of a Catholic approach to life are experienced during the evening. Student-athletes act as liturgical ministers, and all members of the team are blessed in a ritual. All participants are reminded that the Eucharist is the highlight of celebration in the Catholic form of worship. During the liturgy our athletic director, Chuck Sack, asks the teams to
At the Commissioning Mass for winter teams, Dr. Ed Hastings blesses men’s basketball player Bill Slade.
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By Ed Hastings, Ph.D.
make an act of commitment, promising to practice and compete in a way consistent with our Franciscan, Catholic values. Reflection is significant to Catholic spirituality; it is in quiet moments that we are afforded the ability to focus in upon deeper questions and experiences of life. Our athletic department experiences reflection in two key ways throughout the school year. First, each of our teams participates in an evening of reflection at Our Lady of the Angels Convent. The team enjoys dinner with the sisters and then spends time reflecting together on ways in which a Franciscan theme is a part of their lives. A team leader prepares a talk and leads the discussion. Secondly, in the midst of the busy days leading up to Christmas, we share in the gift of quiet and reflection when our entire athletic department staff and team chaplains gather for an Advent evening of reflection. Dinner is also provided at the convent and a guest speaker is usually brought in to offer thoughts.
“ If we believe that God is a part of all creation, then God is revealing Himself even in sports.” Each one of our NCAA sports teams has a chaplain. The role of the chaplain is provide another adult presence for the studentathlete and coaches, to provide inspiration and guidance for the team, to support the general welfare of the student-athlete and to expose the team to the Franciscan, Catholic approach to sports. The latter especially comes through prayers offered before games and some practices, but not solely. It is seen also in the way the coaches, players, opponents and officials are treated with respect on and off the fields of play. At the end of each team’s season, the chaplain, along with the coaches, gives the Francis and Clare Award to the player who best reflects the values lived by St. Francis and St. Clare and the core values of Neumann University. Service is a key component for our teams at Neumann also. Each team is asked to participate in some form of service during the school year. Reflection is coupled with this service. Before participation in the service, the chaplain reflects with the team about why we are doing this work. The chaplain then leads a reflection afterwards to consider what they learned, what gifts they received and how this service connects with Franciscan, Catholic values. For example, our men’s basketball team has served at the Halloween Party at Anna’s Place in Chester. As the chaplain for the team, I meet with our players and coaches before we head over there and read a Gospel passage or the Prayer of St. Francis. We reflect a bit on these and I ask them how this
Director of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development reading connects with what we are doing and why we are doing this service as a Franciscan, Catholic university. I give them some questions to think about while they are at Anna’s Place, and we have a group reflection after the event. Team building is a part of this experience, but we also want the team to see that this service reflects who we are as a sports team at a Catholic university.
Student Examples The Catholic identity in athletics is also evidenced by three unique examples. When our roller hockey team designed their new uniforms this year, they had the Franciscan tau cross placed on the shoulder of the uniform. This was suggested by the coach Lee Strofe and the players quickly agreed with it. They felt that this would be a special way of showing how our athletics are a bit different at Neumann University. Recently when a baseball player began his journey to be received into the Catholic Church, he attributed his decision to three significant experiences: 1) the power of the evening of reflection he participated in with the baseball team; 2) the wisdom learned in Fr. Jude Krill’s theology class; and 3) the inspiration of Sr. Linda DeCero as chaplain of the baseball team. Members of the club ice hockey team asked a father of one of the players to design a pillar of their own for their locker room. The Hail Mary is inscribed on the pillar reminding them to pray before each practice and game. This pillar is a reminder of the Franciscan themes on the pillars in the Bayada Atrium in the Mirenda Center.
Conclusion On the balance pillar in the Bayada Atrium in our Mirenda Center is a quote from an address Pope John Paul II gave to European Olympians. He said, “Sports are not merely the exercise of muscles, but the school of moral values and of training in courage, in perseverance, and in overcoming laziness and carelessness. There is no doubt that these values are of greatest interest for the formation of a personality which considers sports not an end in itself but as a means to total and harmonious physical, moral, spiritual and social development.” Neumann University’s approach to athletics attempts to embody these words of Pope John Paul II. Together, the ISSCD and the athletic department attempt to provide our student-athletes with various ways in which they can develop their character, deepen their spirituality and enrich their faith.
Winter 2012 21
Catholic Identity By Jay Devine Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
J
esus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” As I thought about writing this article and how best to summarize the work of the board of trustees, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ response to Thomas. It summarizes our responsibility as board members. We help to guide Neumann University in delivering on that promise, primarily to students, but also to faculty, staff and administrators. As a Catholic Franciscan university, we have a special mission to help make this promise real for our students through the daily work and teaching of our faculty, staff and administration. As board members, we, too, are constantly trying to define and to reinterpret what this promise means in a contemporary, technology-driven world, especially in a university setting where free inquiry must always exist. At the same time we must also be true to our Christian Catholic identity, knowing that there can only be one real Truth and that is Jesus Christ. There can be many
Each academic year begins with the Mass of the Holy Spirit in Our Lady of Angels Chapel. 22 Accent Magazine
in the Board Room
paths to that Truth, however, and part of the learning experience offered at Neumann must be to help each student find his or her own individual path. From a philosophical perspective, this is our principal role as board members in defining Neumann’s Catholic identity, but we also have very practical ways that we carry out our board responsibilities.
“ We have the duty of preserving and protecting our Catholic identity.” The Neumann University bylaws define many of these practical responsibilities. For example, we must keep our university solvent. You have no doubt heard the old saying, “No money, no mission.” Thus we have a responsibility to oversee the overall finances and investments of the university. Another responsibility is the appointment of the university president with the approval of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Fortunately, we haven’t had to exercise this responsibility recently, but there can be no more important job, given the visibility and management responsibilities of the president. The board also has the power to grant academic degrees including honorary degrees. Finally, because we have full managerial responsibility for the university, we have the duty of preserving and protecting our Catholic identity. We take this responsibility very seriously. As a board, we are constantly monitoring how we are offering this identity to students, faculty, staff and administrators. Several years ago, as a board, we made a conscious choice to make our mission pervasive, meaning it would not just be words in a mission statement but instead would be an actual lived experience much like the life of Saint Francis. This is much easier said than done. Fortunately we have an excellent Mission & Ministry Office which helps us fulfill this responsibility by visiting with our board committees, planning new and innovative student programs and initiatives, and offering spiritual opportunities for everyone. As a board, we believe that experiencing rather than imposing our Catholic identity on the university is the best path to the Truth because it involves not just a conversion of the mind but also of the heart. Finally, what does it mean to be a Catholic Franciscan university? When I have the privilege to speak at our board orientation at the start of each academic year, I like to say that our Catholic identity gives us the content of what we believe and live here at Neumann, and our Franciscan character gives us our personality. Like Saint Francis, we must offer our Catholic identity through hospitality, service and the promotion of individual relationships. This is what makes Neumann University truly different and has fueled its success for the past 46 years.
Catholic Identity in the Franciscan Tradition By Sr. Pat Hutchison, OSF ’70 Director of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies
N
eumann University identifies itself as Catholic in the Franciscan tradition.1 This essay offers a brief summary of the distinguishing characteristics of the tradition and describes some of the ways in which the tradition is fostered within Neumann University.2 There are many Christian intellectual traditions, all rooted in sacred scripture, the writings of the early church Fathers and theologians, and official Church teaching. Over the centuries three major intellectual traditions predominated as philosophical and theological interpretations of the Catholic Faith: the Augustinian, the Dominican, and the Franciscan traditions. These intellectual traditions evolved from the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430),3 the Dominican St. Thomas Aquinas (1225/27-1274) at the University of Paris, and the Franciscans St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217/21-1274) at the University of Paris and Blessed John Duns Scotus (1266-1308) at Oxford. Gradually, the prolific writings of St. Thomas Aquinas became the standard in theology and philosophy in Catholic seminaries and universities. A resurgence of Franciscan scholarship in the last 30 years has led to a revitalization of the Franciscan tradition and its integration in Franciscan colleges and universities.4 Rooted in the life experience and vision of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, the Franciscan tradition emphasizes the Triune God as generous Creator and loving Father whose primary nature
is relational; the Incarnation as gift of a loving and merciful God and Christ as the center and heart of all reality; the human person as image of the Son of God; and Creation as the free gift of a loving and generous God.5 Highlighting the nature of God as relational promotes community and challenges isolation and individualism. Focusing on the love, goodness, and freedom of God, rather than sin and evil, as motive for the Incarnation of Jesus invites gratitude, generosity, and compassion. Recognizing in every human person the face of God leads to reverence, affirmation, and support for all, especially the most vulnerable. Reflecting on the gift of creation in the spirit of Francis of Assisi leads to the embrace of every person and every creature as brother and sister uniquely desired and gifted by God, and therefore worthy of care.
“ At Neumann what is proclaimed in the flags that line the driveways is indeed the lived reality!” Neumann’s promise to be “uniquely personal” flows from an affirmation of the dignity of every student and the desire to lead each to appreciate his/her unique gifts and the consequent responsibilities. Celebrations and rituals throughout the year allow the entire community to experience the tradition tangibly. Enrichment opportunities and significant integration of the Catholic Franciscan intellectual tradition into many courses, especially theology and philosophy, invite all members of the community into ever deepening reflection on the tradition. At Neumann what is proclaimed in the flags that line the driveways, stationery, brochures, catalogues, and advertisements is indeed the lived reality! 1 For a concise explanation of the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, see especially
Osborne, Kenan B. “The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition: What Is It? Why Is it Important?” The AFCU Journal: A Franciscan Perspective on Higher Education (January 2008): 1-25.
2 Copies of the articles referenced in this essay and additional references are
available at http://libguides.neumann.edu/content.php?pid=218203
3 Villanova University describes its roots in the Augustinian tradition within the
context of its Catholic identity.
4 See Osborne, 2008, for an overview of the historical development of the Catholic
intellectual tradition.
5 For additional insights into the Franciscan tradition see especially Hayes,
More than 150 students filled Sacred Heart Chapel to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi and pray for peace.
Zachary. “In Search of an Identity: Franciscan Schools in a Changing World,” The AFCU Journal: A Franciscan Perspective on Higher Education (January 2005): 9-17; Ingham, Mary Beth. “Responding from the Tradition,” The AFCU Journal: A Franciscan Perspective on Higher Education (January 2007): 6-18; and Short, William J. “A Franciscan Language for the 21st Century,” The AFCU Journal: A Franciscan Perspective on Higher Education (January 2004): 1-9.
Winter 2012 23
Catholic Identity in Higher Education W
riting a brief article titled “Understanding Catholic Identity” is a daunting task. The topic is so broad and deep that several paragraphs of description cannot explain adequately the meaning of Catholic identity. Therefore, what follows is a brief exposition of several main issues that describe Catholic identity as it is expected to be experienced within Catholic higher education. To begin, I offer one of Jesus’ self-identifying statements from the Gospel of John and, then, I present a short exposition of the four essential characteristics of Catholic identity prescribed in Pope John Paul II’s apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesia. The gospels present many insightful and powerful descriptions from Jesus concerning His identity and mission. Jesus’ statement to the apostle Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14, 6), is a good starting point for a brief description of Catholic identity in Catholic universities. Jesus is clear about who He is and His identity invites all who encounter Him to clarity about God and about themselves. Jesus is the way to know the Father. Jesus is the truth about God and about all that is. Jesus is life and He bestows life, divine and
human, to His people. “For Catholicism . . . the center-point of history is that the Son of God became incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth. The eternal Word of God is made visible in the flesh. This has consequences for all of human history” (Cernera & Morgan, 2000, pp. 209-210). Accepting the truth of Jesus and the faith-journey He offers presents a foundation for Catholic institutions of higher learning from which their research, teaching, and service can flourish. With Jesus, His teachings and His Church as both foundation and guide, Pope John Paul II (1990) asserts that the Catholic identity of a university needs to consist of four characteristics; they are: 1. A Christian inspiration not only of the individual but of the university as such; 2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which its seeks to contribute by its own research; 3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;
The culture of service at Neumann takes many forms, including helping serve meals to the homeless at St. Francis Inn in Kensington. 24 Accent Magazine
By Father Philip J. Lowe
4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life. (No. 13) A Catholic university is a community in which Jesus Christ is encountered in faith-filled persons as well as in the activity of the university as a whole. Both individuals and the university are charged with making Jesus Christ, His message and His ministry, known to all who interact with the educational institution.“ . . . Catholic ideals, attitudes, and principles penetrate and inform university activities in accordance with the proper nature and autonomy of those activities” (Pope John Paul II, 1990, No. 14) Gospel values of deep reverence for God, abiding respect for the dignity of all persons, charitable service to the poor and the marginalized, and creative stewardship of all creation challenge each individual to continual growth and the educational community to openness and compassion. A Catholic university is a privileged place, within the Church, of research and inquiry into the truth. Penetrating research and robust inquiry are hallmarks of university life; professors and students engage in the search for truth and the clarification of knowledge. This intellectual activity is guided by both reason and faith. Reason enlightened by the gift of faith enables members of the academic community to enter into a dynamic dialogue. “This dialogue can be effective only if it is based on competence both in an understanding of a particular subject matter studied and in a good critical grasp of the Christian faith” (Hellwig, 2004, p. 48). In this dynamic relationship, scholarship rooted in the exercise of reason and in the appreciation for the truths of the faith produces or expands knowledge. A Catholic university, because it is a “Catholic” institution of higher learning, is guided by the official teaching authority of the Church, the magisterium. Fidelity to the Church enables a university’s educators to participate in what Pope Benedict XVI (2008) calls “intellectual charity”; the pope contends that leading students to “truth is nothing less than an act of love.” This charity empowers educators to guide students toward “ . . . the deep satisfaction of exercising freedom in relation to truth, and it strives to articulate the relationship between faith and reason and all aspects of family and civic life” (Pope Benedict XVI, 2008). A Catholic university serves the people of God and the entire human family by creating a culture of service that both informs and challenges the members of the university community to reach out to each other and to the general populace for the sake of providing basic human needs and of confronting unjust social structures. The members of the university community need to be involved with serving the hungry, the poor, and
University Chaplain
the homeless as well as with speaking, as an institution, the “uncomfortable truths which do not please public opinion, but which are necessary to safeguard the authentic good of society” (Pope John Paul II, 1990, No. 32) Providing personal care, information and knowledge, and a voice against unjust structures, the educators and students serve the needs of humanity and, thus, honor the source of all life, God.
“ Intellectual activity is guided by both reason and faith.” Jesus is not only the center-point of human history but, also, the foundation of Catholic identity of Catholic institutions of higher learning. His truth, love, and mercy are the gifts that empower fruitful Christian living. These same treasures inform and guide the work and contributions of a Catholic university. Such a university, true to its mandate to search for and expand knowledge and faithful to its Christian foundation, furthers the ministry of the Church, nurtures the human mind and spirit, and serves the fundamental needs of all people.
Cernera A. J. & Morgan, O.J. (2000). Catholic Intellectual Tradition: Some Characteristics, Implications, and Future Directions. In A. J. Cernera & O. J. Morgan (Eds.), Examining the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Fairfield, CT: Sacred Heart University Press. Hellwig, M. (2004). What Makes Our Colleges Catholic? In Mission and Identity: A Handbook for Trustees of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Washington, D.C.: AGB Publications. Pope Benedict XVI. (2008, April). Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to a Meeting of Catholic Educators. Retrieved from http:// www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2008/april/ documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080417_cath-univ-washington_ en.html Pope John Paul II, (1990, August). Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II On Catholic Universities. Retrieved from http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_ constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15081990_ex-corde-ecclesiae_ en.html
Winter 2012 25
Catholic Identity By Rick Sayers Associate Professor of Music
W
in the Arts
finds an artistic vision in which God is seen as the divine artist, and humans, who are formed in the image of God, have the opportunity to participate in the act of creation. From this Catholic Franciscan perspective, it is clear that beauty cannot be a matter of mere personal preference. Quite the contrary: beauty embodies an objective dimension whose essence can be experienced by the attentive traveler along the viapulchritudinis.
hen the Arts and Entertainment Network (A&E) appeared in 1984, arts educators everywhere were excited about the possibility of quality programming in the arts available to students and teachers “The arts — visual art, music, theater — on a regular basis. Beethoven’s lone opera Fidelio, for example — offer an avenue through which the student with Leonard Bernstein conducting — was an early offering. Today, A&E is home to reality shows such as Storage Wars, Parking Wars, can experience true beauty.” Gene Simmons: Family Jewels, and Dog the Bounty Hunter. This dichotomy in programming is reflected by the very name of the network, and highlights a significant reality of its own: “The arts” The role of the arts in exploring these concepts can be overt, and “entertainment,” though often conflated in popular culture, as in the 2008 show Canticles: theatrical reflections on a poem by are not the same. Most would agree that, although entertainment Francis of Assisi, a joint creative effort of Neumann University has value, the arts aspire to something more. faculty in Art, Music and Theater along with the Neumann What is that “something more”? At Neumann University, University Players. But it does not have to be. All of the arts, sacred one way to answer the question can be found by considering a and secular, afford the opportunity for us to be re-creators, to be conceptual connection among our traditional greeting, “Pace co-creators, to experience the transformative potential of beauty. e Bene (Peace and Good)”; our motto, “Veritas-Caritas: To Live For beauty — that which is the union of the true and the good — the Truth in Love”; and the body of knowledge known as the is, after all, another name for God. Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, all of which serve as touchstones by which to gauge fidelity to our mission. The greeting wishes us Work Cited to be the recipients of all that is good; the motto exhorts us to seek Ingham, M. B., C.S.J. (2009). Rejoicing in the works of the Lord: Beauty in and bear witness to the truth; and the Franciscan Intellectual the Franciscan tradition. Franciscan Heritage Series, 6. St. Bonaventure, NY: Tradition affirms that the union of those two attributes — Franciscan Institute Publications. goodness and truth — is beauty. In her recent study Rejoicing in the Works of the Lord: Beauty in the Franciscan Tradition, Franciscan studies scholar Sr. Mary Beth Ingham, C.S.J. identifies the role of beauty in the Franciscan tradition as occupying a position of prominence, where it emerges as “a cornerstone of reflection, as a guide to action, and as a medium of transformation” (Ingham, 2009, p. 10). Because the concept of beauty is so essential to Franciscan perspectives on creation, divine life and love, and on human identity and action, one’s life can be perceived as a viapulchritudinis, a journey or way of beauty. Along this journey, God gradually reveals God’s self via encounters with that which is truly beautiful. The arts — visual art, music, theater — offer an avenue through which the student can experience true beauty. Categories applied in the study of the arts — order, proportion, harmony, unity, pleasure — lead us to an understanding of the connection between the beauty of creation and rational beauty. In her studies of the role of beauty in the theology of St. Bonaventure and Blessed John Duns Scotus, Ingham The University Jazz Band, directed by Rick Sayers, performed at Drexel Neumann Academy during the fall semester. 26 Accent Magazine
HOMECOMING
Homecoming Highlight: Mills to Hall of Fame It was a sunny, windy weekend on campus as alumni and friends gathered to celebrate Homecoming 2011. “Celebrate the Knight” featured an emotional Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Reception as several former players and athletes came back to campus to recognize the induction of the late coach Randy Mills. Mills, a Long Island, NY, native, started the lacrosse program at Neumann. In his inaugural season he led the team to a 12-1 record and the ECAC championship. He was nominated for his contribution to the men’s lacrosse program at Neumann and the leadership he gave to the young men who played for him, as well as his bond with the Neumann community. Other Athletic Hall of Fame inductees recognized at the Saturday ceremony included Jennifer White Postiglione ’96, Leonard J. Schuler ’85 ’08, Coach William Saar, Christian Neske ’01, and Lindsay Parsons ’06. “I think the induction of Coach Mills meant so much to people because he connected a lacrosse culture to our own Franciscan values by creating an atmosphere of love, passion and pride. He helped each team member develop greater respect for themselves and create a balance in their life while using lacrosse to enhance their joy of play,” said Charles Sack, director of athletics and recreation. “I was glad to see so many alumni from the men’s lacrosse team come back in recognition of their former coach,” said Judi Stanaitis ’07, director of alumni relations and special programs. Mills’ son Tom accepted the award on his behalf. Randy passed away earlier this year and since Tom grew up around the Neumann lacrosse program, Sack said he felt that Tom was the natural choice to accept the award.
Alumni Awards The alumni award winners were also recognized at the dinner. Sr. Christa M. Thompson, OSF, Ph.D. ’69 received the President’s Distinguished Alumni Award; Fay L. McManus ’84 received the John Neumann Award; Suzanne T. Mullarkey ’94 received the Recognition Award; Francis Winkey ’04 received the Volunteer of the Year Award; and Dr. Fred Savitz received the Honorary Alumni Award. Alumni Association president Cheryl Grosso ’99 was on hand to present the awards. “It was special to recognize the accomplishments of each of those individuals. How different our campus would be if just one of them decided not to be here at Neumann,” said Stanaitis. According to Stanaitis, 248 individuals gathered for the dinner, and the photos are posted on the Neumann alumni fan page on FaceBook for those who could not be in attendance.
Tom Mills accepts the Hall of Fame award on behalf of his late father, Randy Mills. Coach Mills is credited with starting the lacrosse program at Neumann and many former players returned to campus to honor his memory.
Dr. Mirenda stands with Alumni Award winners Fay McManus ’84, Sr. Christa Thompson, OSF ’69, Suzanne T. Mullarky ’94 and Alumni Association president Cheryl Grosso ’99.
The inaugural awarding of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development Award to Keith Primeau was held on Wednesday, October 12. “We chose Primeau for his work with ‘Play It Cool,’ a concussion prevention program, and his message that players can be courageous and competitive without risking brain damage,” said Dr. Ed Hastings, director of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. Events continued on Thursday night with the sixth annual King and Queen of Homecoming pageant. Shantel Shaw was named queen and Joseph Armstead was named king. As queen, Shaw attended all of the events during Homecoming weekend. “I loved (Continued on page 26) Winter 2012 27
HOMECOMING
Homecoming Highlight Continued
Queen Shantel Shaw and King Joseph Armstead display their regal attire.
the carnival, it was good to volunteer at the game table, play games, and interact with people. I also got to spend some time with my family, which I love to do,” she said. Shaw also said that her cousin was named Homecoming Queen in 2007. “We both won as juniors. It was a big deal for my family for us both to win, and a joyous occasion,” she said. Friday night began with the President’s Scholarship Reception, honoring donors who value Catholic education and demonstrate their commitment to making a Neumann education possible with their generous gifts. Forty-nine scholarship recipients were in attendance as well as 50 annual giving and scholarship donors. Scholarships represented included the Charlotte W. Newcombe, Mother Mary Bachmann, and Mirenda Family. After the reception, guests were treated to a fireworks display on the patio of the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development. Afterwards students gathered on the floor of the Mirenda Center to hear the sounds of HelloGoodbye in concert. “My favorite song is ‘Here in Your Arms,’ so it was cool to hear it live,” said Victoria DeCristoforo, a junior. Saturday morning things swung into gear with a lecture by Brother Mickey O’Neill McGrath sponsored by Pastoral Care and Counseling. Shortly after Joyce Foresman-Capuzzi presented her lecture, “Violence in Healthcare: Awareness and Action.” It was the sixth annual presentation in the Alumni Association of the Training School for Nurses-Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) lecture series.
Dr. Rosalie Mirenda stands with Fay and John McManus at the dedication of the new reflection garden in their name. 28 Accent Magazine
H o m eco m ing
Taste of Aston Lunch was served at the Homecoming picnic following the lectures. “This program was designed so there was something for everyone. More and more alumni are using Homecoming as their annual reunion event and a growing trend is groups reserving reunion tables at the picnic,” said Stanaitis. More than 1,400 students, families, and alumni attended the picnic alone. A Taste of Aston, a new event, began this year as well. Four local restaurants provided a tailgate feel under a tent in the Mirenda Center parking lot. Many guests wandered over to enjoy samples from local restaurants such as Zac’s Hamburgers, Dairy Queen, Padrino’s and Cocco’s of Aston. “It was definitely a crowd favorite,” said Stanaitis. “Next year we are inviting them back for the event again and we will have some great enhancements in store,” she said. There was also a blessing ceremony held to celebrate the new McManus Reflection Garden located by the Mirenda Center. “Being part of the McManus garden blessing was a great memory. A few weeks before, I had a chance to speak with Fay (McManus ’84) as we sat in the reflection garden. Having a place on campus for students to be able to stop, listen to the fountain and have a place to reflect was very important to Fay and her family. Their generosity and their family connection to Neumann was powerful to witness,” said Stanaitis. Wrapping up the festivities on Saturday was Faculty Follies, a show featuring Neumann faculty, administration, and staff showcasing their talents in a fun evening of song, parody, and stand-up comedy. A benefit event, all proceeds went to the Stephanie R. Marek Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship. Homecoming weekend came to an end on Sunday with the Massey Breast Cancer 5K Run/1k Fun Walk sponsored by the Students in Free Enterprise Club (SIFE).
A student celebrates the knight at the game stations during the picnic.
Homecoming guests line up to sample fare offered by local businesses at the inaugural Taste of Aston.
Boogie Knights performs behind the Bruder Life Center during the picnic on Saturday.
Winter 2012 29
c l ASS N O T E S
1970s Nora Nash, OSF, B.A., ’74, was honored
at the Franciscan Federation’s Annual Conference for exemplifying the spirit of the conference theme, “Becoming a Sacred Flame: Francis, Clare, and John’s Gospel.” Sr. Nora, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is a tireless advocate for social justice. At her recommendation, the congregation has supported small organizations that work to improve the lot of struggling people both here and abroad. Mary (Benham) Moran, B.A., ’76, a 2009
graduate of Barry University with an M.S. in Catholic Educational Leadership, was the 2010 recipient of the Diocesan 21st Century Teacher of the Year Award.
Roberta “Bobbie” Pichini, B.A., ’77, president of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Philadelphia personal injury attorney, and partner with Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig LLP, greeted California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., who served as a speaker at the Academy’s 2011 mid-year meeting held in Carmel, California.
Sandra (Pennypacker) Brunsberg, B.A., ’79, ’90, retired from full-time work three years
ago but still works part-time as a therapist for North Western Human Services, Sharon Hill, PA. Sandra also works as a stress management consultant for Elwyn Institute. Sandra and her husband, Fred, have 11 grandchildren and one great granddaughter, Rylin, born November 13, 2010.
1980s Judith Dunn, B.S., M.S., ’80, ’05, was recently selected as the new principal at St. Anastasia Parish School in Newtown Square. Before joining the faculty at St. Anastasia five years ago, she had served as principal of St. Gabriel School in Norwood, PA. 30 Accent Magazine
Mary (Hayes) Glatts, B.A., ’82, is attending
Marymount University in Virginia and on course to receive a doctorate in nursing practice in December 2012.
Francis Truax, B.S., ’86, managing partner of the Century 21 Alliance Havertown, was recognized with the Centurion Producer Office Award. The Award is given to Century 21 system offices that achieve a specified level of sales production within a calendar year. Century 21 Alliance Havertown received a trophy at the regional annual awards ceremony and will be recognized at the international convention. Nancy (Wright) Frick, B.A., ’88, was awarded the Order of Merit by Bishop W. Francis Malooly in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Diocese of Wilmington. In addition to providing specialized services for two Pennsylvania adoption agencies, she is the secretary for the Religious Education Office at Church of the Holy Child. She also serves on committees for pro-life activities in her parish and diocese.
1990s Abbey (Frank) Bradway, M.S., ’90, achieved the Approved Clinician Supervisor Certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Kelley A. Robinson, B.S., ’90, and Frederick J. Stenger were married on November 12, 2011. Kelley is a Senior Operations Manager for JPMorgan Chase, and Fred is a Sales Consultant for Spencer Chevrolet. The happy couple resides in Aston, PA. Laura Dechant, B.S., ’94, presented “From
Ed Federico, B.A., ’98, recently joined
Jefferson University Hospitals as a media relations representative. He comes to Jefferson after spending three years as an account executive at a public relations agency in Florida.
Kristine Segich-Morgan, B.S., ’99,
married Damian Morgan on May 28, 2010. They have a daughter, Keira Elizabeth, born February 28, 2011.
Kenneth Smith, B.S., ’99, and Lori (Pellegrino) Smith, B.A., ’99, are
expecting the birth of their first child in January 2012.
2000s Nina (Paolino) Truehart, B.A., ’04
recently accepted the position of marketing coordinator for Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. in Newark, Delaware. Denada Ramnishta, B.S., ’04, recently
graduated from Columbia Business School with an MBA.
Meaghan Crawford, B.A., ’05, was
recently elected VP of the Kiwanis International, Trenton Chapter, for 20112012. Meaghan was awarded a “Bambe Cross” for outstanding service as a new member.
Marc Hill, B.S., ’06, was recently
promoted to the rank of captain in the US Army Military Intelligence Corps. He is currently attending the MI Captains Career Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Regina (Graham) Campbell, B.S., ’06,
married Joseph Campbell July 30, 2011.
A to Z: Everything You Need to Know about ST Elevation MI, TRENDS in Critical Care Nursing” at Valley Forge, PA in October 2011.
Keri (Silvestrini) Heickert, B.S., ’07, married Ryan Heickert, B.S., M.S., ’09, ’11, in June 2010. Keri is an adjunct
Lisa Wilhelm, B.A., ’92, ’97, teaches tech-
Tyretta “Ty” Kendrick, B.A., ’07, is
nology to students in grades kindergarten through eighth at St. Philomena School and St. Cyril of Alexandria School.
professor at Neumann University. married to Shariff Clark.
Richard Behr, B.S., ’08, recently became an undergraduate admission counselor for Felician College.
C LASS N O T E S Annette (Carabba) Pierdomenico, B.S., M.S., ’87, ’09, is completing a
leadership fellowship sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and Sigma Theta Tau. The focus is on implementing an obstetric emergency response team at Bryn Mawr Hospital to model the existing team at Riddle Hospital.
Stephanie Hook, B.S., ’10, is working as a registered nurse on a cardiac surgery unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dominic Mariotti, B.A., ’10,
recently completed a stint playing professional roller hockey in Italy. Teams in the Lega Nazionale Hockey in Italy kept track of Mariotti’s statistics while he was at Neumann, and he was offered a contract when his collegiate career was over. He is currently back in the U.S., working as an admission representative at the Harris School of Business. He plans to return to Italy to play in the Championship Cup, competing against teams from Spain and France.
Matthew Ward, B.A., ’11, joined the Brockville Braves staff as an assistant coach. Matt played for the Braves from 2003-2006 and went on to play at Neumann and then to the CHL and SPHL. Vincent Lanni, B.A., ’11, is a realtor
working at Remax Preferred in West Chester, PA.
Ashley Solomon, B.A., ’11, married Shawn Neurell on August 14, 2011. Zachary Sell, B.A., ’11, was named the male 2011 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Scholar Athlete of the Year. Sell, a senior defender from Baltimore, earned a 3.88 GPA while majoring in athletic training at Neumann. On the field Sell finished the season with 28 points (8 goals, 12 assists) helping the Knights to the program’s first conference title in men’s soccer.
Jeff Baxter ’04 Joins Cradles to Crayons Jeff Baxter ’04 has been named manager, outreach and strategic partnerships, at Cradles to Crayons, the West Conshohocken-based nonprofit that provides new and gently used everyday essentials to disadvantaged children, birth to age 12, living in low-income and/or homeless situations in the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania area. He previously served for three years as statewide event director for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. In his new position, Baxter will coordinate Cradles to Crayons’ internal and external product collection activities, working with large community organizations and businesses to facilitate donations of necessities, such as clothing, footwear, books, infant safety equipment, school supplies and other items that children require to thrive in their formative years. Baxter is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University (BS, Marketing, 2000) and Neumann University (MS, Sports Management, 2004). The products contributed to Cradles and Crayons are gathered through grassroots community drives and corporate donations, and distributed to needy children through a region-wide network of social service agencies and school partners. Last year, more than 30,000 at-risk children were beneficiaries of the Cradles to Crayons effort.
Alum Published in An Ethical Compass Magagodi Makhene ’08 is the author of the first essay in a collection
of prize-winning prose, An Ethical Compass: Coming of Age in the 21st Century, edited by Elie Wiesel, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Her essay, “The Ethics of South African Identity,” won the 2007 Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics from among hundreds of submissions. It is about growing up in South Africa and the sacrifices that people there had to make in order to become what Nelson Mandela has called “the rainbow nation.” The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics is an annual essay competition designed to challenge college students to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. An Ethical Compass, published by Yale University Press, is a collection of these prize-winning essays. Regarding the essays, Wiesel writes in his preface to the collection that “they show young people . . . who are sensitive to the sufferings and defects that confront a society yearning for guidance and eager to hear ethical voices.” Makhene, who majored in international business at Neumann, is a native of Johannesburg, South Africa.
From the Military to Cyber Security Mathew Spaulding ’06 arrived at Neumann as a transfer
student, looking for smaller classes and teachers who were more involved in his education. Now, after completing a tour in the military, he has begun a position with Booz Allen Hamilton in cyber security and intelligence in the D.C. area. Spaulding says his Neumann education helped him form the moral background he needed to get where he is now. “The Franciscan tradition that is taught at Neumann further supplemented morals that my parents and family had already instilled in me. They taught me to do the right thing, to work hard, and to have respect for everyone and everything around me,” he said. The Mechanicsburg, PA, native retired at the rank of captain in the Army. As a senior at Neumann, Spaulding won the Sr. Helen Prejean Award, given to the outstanding criminal justice student. The award is named after the author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States. Spaulding is currently working on his master’s degree in intelligence operations with the American Military University.
Winter 2012 31
ALu m ni ne w s
Dear Alumni, It is my pleasure to serve my last year as President of the NU Alumni Board. Three years ago, I felt a loyalty and a desire to give back to the institution that had provided so many good things in my life. My years on the board have been filled with wonderful activities, enjoyable associations and have helped me re-establish my connection to NU. The Alumni Association is not only a conduit for ties to college days past, but a network of benefits — both social and tangible — for today and in the future. The collective voice of more than 10,000 graduates is something special, and your membership in the NU Alumni Association can assure that the bonds of being a Neumann Knight will never be broken. NU programs provide a great opportunity to re-connect with fellow NU alums, share a common past and maintain a connection to the University. I hope you will take full advantage of the great spiritual, academic, athletic programs and events that the Board sponsors and organizes. If you have suggestions for alumni events in your area or ideas for improving communication, please let me know, contact the Alumni Office, or any member of the Alumni Board. We do want to hear your thoughts and suggestions. This is our Association and we aim to make it a great alumni organization! I encourage you to enhance your connection with NU. Cheryl Wanner Grosso ’99 President, Alumni Association
Show Your Pride
NU Specialty License Plate The Alumni Association is offering NU pride plates for the first time ever. Approved by PennDOT, the plates cost just $35 and are available for a limited time. Visit www.neumann.edu/specialtyplate for more information and to place your order or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 610-558-5544.
Hallet & Davis Baby Grand Piano Raffle Chances: $10 each, three (3) for $20 Proceeds to benefit The Athletic Fund
Drawing: June 4, 2012 at the Brendan P. Kelly ’87 Celebrity Golf Outing Piano delivered to winner FREE within a 100-mile radius of Aston, PA
www.alumni.neumann.edu/piano Piano donated by
Raffle License No. 1196
32 Accent Magazine
ALu m ni N E WS
Meet the Alumni Executive Board Frank M. Bruno Frank M. Bruno ’08 is a Promotions Assistant for CBS Radio. “At Neumann, I was a Presidential Ambassador, Neumann Navigator, Resident Assistant, Freshmen Representative, Chief Justice on the Student Government Board, and a member of the Student Activities Board. I also acted with the Neumann Theatre Ensemble, volunteered for Phonathons, sang in a small ensemble group and for the Concert Chorale, which I still participate in today. “I enjoy serving on the board because of the life-long support and relationships that I built with the Neumann administration. Furthermore, I wanted to be a part of the board because I wanted to give back to the current students and alumni network.”
Bernadette M. Kutufaris Bernadette M. Kutufaris ’99 lives in Drexel Hill and is an enrichment teacher for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. “I used to be the Assistant Director of Residence Life at Neumann. I was also an adjunct professor, teaching American Sign Language and a graduate education course. “Since my first day at Neumann, I have always felt that it was a special place. During my four years as a student and subsequent years as a staff member, I always knew that I wanted to keep a connection with Neumann as I moved on in my professional and personal life. Serving on the Alumni Executive Board is the perfect opportunity to still be a part of the University and give back some of what I have received.”
Chad W. Leonard Chad Wendell Leonard ’03 is a Certified School Psychologist for public schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is also CEO for Leonard Educational and Psychological Services, LLC and serves as
an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Camden County College in NJ. “At Neumann, I have served on the Student Government Board and periodically assisted with activities associated with Mission and Ministry. I wanted to serve on the Alumni Executive Board because of the wonderful memories I had with friends, professors and staff at Neumann University. I continue to serve Neumann because I want to give back what it has given to me. It’s a great place to live, learn and grow! “I hope to continue serving Neumann in the best way possible by sharing my pride, skills and monetary investment with the University. I enjoy helping the University to be the best it can be while integrating its Franciscan identity to help others.”
Annette M. Carabba Pierdomenico Annette M. Carabba Pierdomenico ’87, ’09 is Nurse Navigator for the Comprehensive Breast Center at Riddle Memorial Hospital and an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. “I welcomed the privilege of serving on the board because I love the Neumann atmosphere, reputation and tradition. I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to the University that has been so instrumental in guiding me and providing me the tools to be successful in my career and in my life. “My future plan is two-fold: I want to continue to be an ambassador of Neumann to the community of Aston and surrounding area as well as to the CYO and local municipalities in which I coach. I also want to build bridges between the various disciplines and past graduates. Therefore, I am working on having increased alumni participation and presence at graduation to welcome the new graduates into our alumni circle.”
Maria Rolston Maria (Chiesa) Rolston ’01, ’04 is Assistant Vice President for Employee Development at the Franklin Mint Credit Union and is an active member of the American Society for Training and Development. “At Neumann, I served as SGB president, Orientation Mentor, Resident Assistant and member of the Residence Life Advisory Board. “Neumann taught me so much while I was there and it made a huge impact on my life. I wanted to give back to Neumann for everything Neumann has given me. I plan to continue to be involved and contribute however I can.”
Kenneth Smith Kenneth Smith ’99 lives in Northeast Philadelphia and is a Group Truck Rental Manager. “I was one of the three first Resident Assistants in NU history when LLC 1 was opened and was a member of the men’s baseball team for four years. I was fortunate enough to be successful with my current employer and as my career went on I wanted to expand that success and use my knowledge and experience to assist others outside of work. “Through the Neumann University Learning Exchange Program I have been able to volunteer my job interviewing expertise to assist Neumann students and community members. I plan to continue to serve the Alumni Board in any way I can. Neumann played a big part in my success as a professional and as a member of the community. Now that I have the resources I plan to return the favor.”
Also serving on the Alumni Board are Sandra Brunsberg ’79 ’90, Regina Graham ’06, Giancarlo Roitto ’04 ’10, Kristine Segich ’99, and Mary Ann Wallen ’04.
Winter Winter2012 2012 33
A l u m ni P R O F I L E
A Peace Corps Mission that Changed a Life Eileen (O’Day) Sosa ’82 lives with her family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but their hearts are split between the Amish farmland and Paraguay, a country more than 4,000 miles away. Originally it was a Peace Corps assignment that brought Sosa to the rural, South American country in 1983. Today, she and her family continue to maintain a strong bond with the Paraguayan men, women, and children who captured her heart 18 years ago. Paraguay is the second poorest country in South America with a size comparable to that of California. It lies between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia and approximately one-third of the country is uninhabitable. After graduating in 1982, Sosa worked as a nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital, and during that year she said “a light bulb went off” encouraging her to pursue her interest in mission work or community service. She signed on to a two-year commitment with the Peace Corps as a rural health nurse with an emphasis on health education. “I was going down there to use my nursing background but to leave as much behind as possible. The Peace Corps has a specific goal to share your knowledge and skills and return to your native country and share what you learned,” Sosa explained. Her family supported her decision and Sosa left with her Peace Corps group for Paraguay, even though she did not speak Spanish. And while she recalls crying a bit before departure, she knew that a lifechanging experience was waiting at her destination. Sosa lived in a small town (San Joaquin) and was the only medical professional for 10,000 people. She taught first aid classes in churches, administered vaccinations, delivered babies, and demonstrated rehydration techniques. “I felt very strongly that I learned more than I ever taught them. That is very eye opening for us — even if you come from a poor nation, you share as much as you teach. Since 1985, I haven’t lost any of my enthusiasm for Paraguay. It’s definitely a 34 Accent Magazine
Eileen Sosa ’82 presenting a plaque to the principal of the elementary school where she and her family started a library. The library was dedicated in honor of Sosa’s husband, Milner.
life altering experience,” Sosa said. The country touched her heart but it was a Paraguayan teacher named Milner who captured it. After Sosa returned to the states, Milner joined her and they were married. Today they have three sons, David, 23, Daniel, 20, and Christopher, 17. Every two years the Sosa family travels back to Paraguay. The boys have learned how to live in areas without running water and electricity during these visits. “My family has traveled back to Paraguay many times. Each time we return home it is with many stories of good times but also with a bit of a heavy heart. We always feel that there must be some way that we can help to improve the lives of a people we love so dearly, if only in a small way. And so was born our idea for a soccer exchange,” she explained. During their last trip in June 2011, the Sosa family brought an entire soccer team. Thirteen teammates from their son Chris’ soccer team went to Paraguay to play soccer and do community service. They took with them soccer uniforms, cleats, and soccer balls for local teams.
“The level of soccer was tough. It’s not only the main sport in Paraguay — it’s a culture. Our boys did win. They took the trophy home in San Joaquin,” she said. According to Sosa, the American boys were so taken by the happiness they saw in the lives of the Paraguayan people. These people have very little but are all so happy. “The Paraguayan people taught the boys on the team so much. It was definitely a win-win situation for all involved. We opened a library in the school where my husband taught. It was their first ever library in the school. The boys did fundraising,” Sosa said. Prior to the summer trip, Sosa’s garage became a warehouse for the books being sent down to the school library and the donations have continued. “Right now our garage is filled with clothing and soccer balls waiting to go. This project does continue. I would love to expand it and get more people involved,” she said. To donate to the USA/Paraguay Soccer Exchange program contact Eileen Sosa at eileensosa@embarqmail.com.
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