Jack Ampuja named Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence
Vincent Commission
Established page 16
The Niagara University Eagle is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Please send correspondence to: Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09, Editor Niagara University, N.Y., 14109 716.286.8747 / lmcmahon@niagara.edu
Welcoming Alumni Back to the Ridge 07
NU’s Expanding Footprint
Ampuja Named Wegman
Endowed Director
Wegmans Family Foundation Makes $1.5 Million Gift
Powering Transformation
NU Athletics Year in Review
Vincent Commission Established
Ribbon Cut on Kiernan Center
Keeping TODAY on Track
DEPARTMENTS FEATURES
Opening Remarks on the ridge news from the nest catching up
Dear Friends,
he summer months are often a time of reflection at Niagara University. They provide us with time to reflect on the completed academic year with gratitude and look forward to the rapidly arriving fall semester. And while the summer months may be considered the “off season” for higher education, it has been a very active time on Monteagle Ridge. The Lewiston campus is stunning it its beauty and spirit of hospitality.
We were deeply disappointed to hear of the closing of Medaille University in Buffalo, and we have become an active partner in assisting Medaille with teach out plans for its students. We will add hundreds of master’s level students in education and clinical mental health counseling, as well as a number of other undergraduate and graduate students from other programs. Niagara has also added women’s bowling to its roster of athletics teams, picking up the coaches and most of the bowlers from Medaille’s program.
As colleges and universities across the country continue to face a number of challenges, Niagara University continues to strengthen its roots in Lewiston, N.Y., while developing strategic partnerships and opportunities in Vaughan, Ontario; Niagara Falls; and Buffalo. In an increasingly challenging environment, Niagara University is positioned as an institution of strength, with growing momentum.
This summer, we are beginning work on an 18,000 square foot expansion at our campus in Vaughan, which will further our academic and community outreach in this growing community, just north of Toronto. The establishment of an Academic Innovation Hub in Niagara Falls, boosted by more than $4 million in funding from the state and federal government and the Oishei Foundation, will leverage our resources to deeply integrate academic programs and curriculum with civic engagement. Building on our existing partnerships in science and healthcare, this fall, our students will also be able to conduct scientific research at Niagara’s new biomedical lab on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in Buffalo. All this is on top of our $11.5 million successful renovation and additions to our Kiernan Recreation Center on the Lewiston campus.
In addition to these critical developments, our alumni and friends have been deeply engaged in “Powering Transformation,” Niagara University’s capital campaign. Through this effort, more than $117,000,000 has been raised toward our goal of $125 million, enabling us to grow our scholarship funding for students, establish endowed faculty positions, and improve recreation and academic facilities across campus.
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for your support of Niagara University. As we enjoy the remainder of the summer days ahead, I ask for your continued prayers and support to ensure a bright future for Niagara University.
With every good wish,
Rev. James J. Maher, C.M. President
Rev. James J. Maher, C.M.
New Board of Trustees Chair, Vice Chair Named; Two Alumni Join Board
Larry Montani, a former chemical manufacturing executive, has been named chair of the Niagara University Board of Trustees, and Christopher Ross, ’82, principal at Lawley Insurance, has been named vice chair. In addition, John Katko, ’84, former U.S. congressman, and Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, ’80, chief talent and global strategy officer and Centennial Professor of Nursing at The Ohio State University, were named to the board.
Montani, who was co-managing director of Niacet Corporation until his retirement in 2017, serves or has served in advisory roles for area education, human services, and manufacturing entities, including Catholic Charities of Western NY, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Stella Niagara Education Park, the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Nichols School, Heart Love & Soul food pantry, and the Greater Niagara Manufacturers Association. He and his wife, Mary, established the Mary B. and Larry A. Montani Family Endowment Fund to support Catholic education in Niagara Falls and the Montani Family Charitable Foundation.
Ross joined Lawley in 1986. He was named executive vice president in 1996 and principal in January 2000. In the community, he is treasurer of the board of directors for Kaleida Health and a member of the board of Mercy Flight of Western New York. He has been recognized by
Buffalo Business First on its “Power 250” list of the men and women who aim to make changes and improvements in the eight-county Buffalo region, and on its list of “40 Under Forty” young professionals.
Sister Nora Gatto, D.C., Returns to Niagara University
Katko served Central New York in Congress from 2015 until his retirement in 2022. He was selected as Republican ranking member and served eight years as a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and as chair of the Republican Governance Group. Prior to serving in Congress, Katko spent nearly 20 years as a federal organized crime prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, as a litigator with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, and as an anti-trust and commercial litigation attorney in private practice.
Sister Nora Gatto, D.C., a Daughter of Charity, returned to Niagara University in July as director of University Mission and Ministry. In this role, she will work with the Office of Mission Integration and direct the Office of Campus Ministry.
Sister Nora previously served as executive director of University Mission and Campus Ministry at Niagara from 2003–2008, and on the university’s Board of Trustees from 2010–2018.
Niagara University Recognized for Exemplary Transfer Pathways Three Years in a Row
Prior to her current position, Dr. MorrisonBeedy served as dean of the College of Nursing and senior associate vice president of USF Health, University of South Florida. She is a four-time recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Award and was elected into the International Nursing Research Hall of Fame. She has also received numerous awards for her work and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the National Academies of Practice, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. She serves on several boards, is editor-in-chief of Building Healthy Academic Communities, holds Distinguished International Visiting Professorship awards, and was selected by the International Council of Nurses as a Global Nursing Leadership Institute Fellow in Geneva.
For the third consecutive year, Niagara University was named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2023 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic and innovative pathways it has created to support transfer students.
The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfers, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion, and based on analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse and on data submitted through the four-year institution’s profile on PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online tool designed to help students find their best-fit colleges and career pathways. Colleges completing the PTK Connect profile are assigned a Transfer Friendliness Rating, and the honor roll is chosen from among the top 25% highest rated colleges.
Larry Montani
Christopher Ross, ’82
Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, ’80
John Katko, ’84
Sister Nora Gatto, D.C.
New Partnership Will Provide Career Pathways for NU Students
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY has partnered with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to strategically elevate workforce opportunities through the establishment of paid work opportunities at the hospital.
“We have had a long-standing relationship with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and it is great to build on that legacy with this working agreement,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “Niagara Falls Memorial provides a critical resource in our community and the opportunity to leverage the resources of the university, the currency of our curriculum, and our commitment to Niagara Falls, is central to this partnership. Niagara students benefit from real-world experiences that enhance their overall education, and in doing so, they will potentially begin their careers at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center – and strengthen the workforce for the hospital and our community.”
The partnership will provide work opportunities for students from a number of fields of study, including nursing, accounting, human resources, and marketing, who will gain real-world experience and provide support in critical areas of need in the workforce at NFMMC.
“This program marks yet another important initiative in our long-standing relationship with Niagara University,” said Joe Ruffolo, CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. “It is a win-win for Memorial and, as importantly, for university student participants. As is the case at many medical centers, university interns play an invaluable role at Memorial, supplementing our staffing needs with bright young talent and providing a recruitment pipeline of potential candidates for employment post-graduation. Receiving a stipend gives students an incentive to select Memorial over other offers for their internship experience. We are indebted to Father Maher and his team for once again partnering with Memorial.”
This partnership builds on the university’s continuing commitment to collaborate to advance the revitalization of Niagara Falls. This agreement is funded in part by a grant Niagara University received from The John R. Oishei Foundation for its work in the Bridge District at the university’s Academic Innovation Hub. The grant includes funding for workforce development and paid internship opportunities to help build a competitive workforce and entice innovation and entrepreneurship in the Niagara Falls region.
Partnership with Vietnam’s Foreign Trade University Extended
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY strengthened its long tradition of educating international students in May, when the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara president, signed a memorandum of understanding extending a nearly decades-old partnership between Niagara and Foreign Trade University, one of Vietnam’s premier academic institutions.
The new five-year agreement will pave the way for between 30 and 40 undergraduate students from FTU to study at Niagara each year and for the growth of Niagara’s 2+2 undergraduate programs in the colleges of Business Administration and Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management. It also will facilitate opportunities for Niagara students to study at FTU’s campuses in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Quang Ninh, and to do internships in Vietnam, and for faculty and staff to participate in exchange programs.
“This is the first memorandum of understanding that includes Lewiston and Vaughan with an international university partner,” said Dr. Duleep Deosthale, Niagara’s vice president of International Relations. “FTU is one of our most active partners, and we are looking forward to growth and greater mobility of students between our five campus locations in three countries.”
PSE Scholars Mentorship Program Launched
Niagara University and Pegula Sports and Entertainment have announced a partnership to create career pathways and scholarship opportunities for students studying in the university’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management.
“This is truly a first-of-its-kind, fully integrated partnership between a university and a premier sport and entertainment organization, and we are thrilled to make this unique opportunity available to Niagara University students,” said Dr. Bridget Niland, dean of the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management. “Through this partnership, selected students will have the ability to work in the field of professional sports for one of the foremost leaders in the industry. PSE’s desire to create this career pathway program is a testament to their vision and will have an incredible impact on the educational experience of our students.”
Selected incoming freshmen will be eligible for a one-time, $1,500 “scholarship signing bonus” to take part in this unique educational experience, which includes hands-on learning within PSE, mentorship from the leadership team at the Buffalo Sabres, and paid internship placements at PSE for upperclassmen.
“We have worked with Niagara for multiple years, and this program has come together because of the interactions of our leadership teams and understanding the vision of each organization,” said Dan Misko, senior vice president of business development for PSE. “It will be great to have students be a part of our organization and to experience the amount of work that happens behind the scenes of a game or an event in the world of professional sports.”
Additional information about the PSE Scholars program, including application requirements, can be found at www.niagara. edu/psescholars.
On the ridge
NU Men’s Hockey Assists Jewish Family Services with Refugee Resettlement Initiative
MEMBERS OF NIAGARA UNIVERSITY’S men’s hockey team helped to load and unload a truck filled with furniture that is being used to set up new homes for refugees resettling in Western New York through Jewish Family Services. The team connected with JFS through an ongoing initiative of Niagara University’s Justice House program.
“The Justice House program has been working with Jewish Family Services on refugee resettlement initiatives,” explained Dr. David Reilly, professor and chair of political science and director of international studies. “One of our Afghan scholars, Tamana Dawi, has been the lead for NU and has put together a team of undergraduate and graduate students who will assist with setting up apartments, cleaning, and helping with the process of refugee resettlement. They have already assisted with a clothing drive and will be working in the coming years with migrant families moving into the area who need assistance.”
As part of this initiative, Dr. Reilly connected with NU alumnus Bill Wyles, ’89, to obtain furniture that was being replaced during the renovation of the Buffalo Airport Hotel
in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Wyles agreed to donate the furniture, which will be used in about a dozen rooms at the Meadows at Weinberg Campus, where JFS will be resettling a number of refugees.
Because moving the furniture would take “more muscle than our group was capable of providing,” Dr. Reilly reached out to the Niagara University men’s hockey team. Head Coach Jason Lammers immediately agreed to help.
“This is just another example of how our team carries on the Vincentian tradition of giving back,” said Lammers. “We are excited that people call us for help. We teach our players the importance of asking for help and giving help, and being able to assist Jewish Family Services in this way speaks to our program and the kind of students we have in it.”
This is not the first time the men’s hockey team has assisted within the community, and their commitment to service was recognized during the Niagara University Department of Athletics Purple Eagle Award Show on April 25. The team was awarded the Purple Pride and Community Team of the Year award and also was named the men’s team of the year. Jay Ahern, a sophomore from Staten Island, N.Y., and a forward on the men’s hockey team, was the recipient of the Men’s Purple Heart Award.
“It is all the little things we do to give back to our community that add up to make for a better, bigger picture in the end,” Ahern said. “Do a little a lot and the world will be a better place. It’s our core standard, and we all try to live by that every day!”
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY Awarded Prestigious Grant from National Endowment for the Humanities
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY has been awarded a three-year Humanities Connection grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support the development of a new Vincentian social justice minor. Fewer than 3% of colleges and universities nationwide received this prestigious grant, which will also support faculty development and collaboration on the topic of social justice.
The new minor will enable Niagara’s undergraduate students to develop an interdisciplinary curricular pathway through the General Education curriculum and will include humanities-focused social justice courses, content, and experiential learning. The combination of humanities and social justice will prepare students to participate in a culturally diverse world and to advocate for social justice by developing critical thinking skills, promoting cultural understanding, and empowering them to explore complex, emotion-laden issues of diversity and oppression.
The social justice focus aligns with Niagara’s Catholic and Vincentian mission and its broader role in the community as an anchor for economic, community, health, educational, and social development efforts for the county and region.
Dr. Paula Kot, associate professor of English; Dr. James McCutcheon, chair of the modern and classical languages department; Dr. Donna Thompson, professor of psychology; and Dr. Lisa Williams, associate professor of management, will lead the development of the minor and work with other faculty advisors across a variety of disciplines. In addition, the university’s Castellani Art Museum will play a key role in providing opportunities for experiential learning, including a planned faculty-curated exhibit of artwork on social justice themes to roll out the new minor in 2026.
Members of the Niagara University men’s hockey team loaded and unloaded furniture that is being used by Jewish Family Services to set up new homes for refugees relocating to Western New York.
Special Olympics Returned to Niagara University Campus
AFTER THREE YEARS, due to COVID and renovations to its recreation center, Niagara University once again hosted the Special Olympics New York’s Western Regional Basketball Tournament on its campus. About 175 Special Olympians competed in this year’s event, which took place on April 22.
The Special Olympics event is a culminating experience for students who take NU’s Special Olympics: Coaching and Games Management course, which is taught by Dr. Dennis Garland, associate professor of education. Sections of the course are presented by the College of Education and others by the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management.
“We have anticipated the return of the Special Olympics New York Western Region Basketball Tournament to the Kiernan Recreation Center since 2019,” said Dr. Garland. “Our students, the university community, and our regional partners prepared all semester. The athletes who competed today are the heart of our partnerships in the region and are the truest model of sportsmanship. We were thrilled to celebrate the day with them and their families.”
Federal Funding Will Support Niagara University’s Academic,
Research, and Community Revitalization Initiatives
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY will receive more than $2 million in federal funding—$1.4 million to support the work of the university’s Academic Innovation Hub in the City of Niagara Falls, a facility that will leverage the university’s resources to integrate academic programs and curriculum with civic engagement, and $750,000 to support the establishment of a university science research laboratory and commercialization space in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in Buffalo, N.Y. The funding was secured by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins.
“This funding strengthens our Vincentian mission of serving those in the margins of society while preparing our students to become leaders and change agents within their communities,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “It also advances our legacy of preparing students for careers in health professions by establishing a physical presence on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus that will elevate our academic reputation and further the impact of faculty research and technology transfer applications. We thank Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins for their continued support of Niagara University.”
Women’s
Bowling Team Becomes 19th Division I Sport at NU
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY’S ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT has added women’s bowling to its roster of Division I sports, bringing the total number of Purple Eagles teams to 19. Head coach Jeff Walsh and assistant coach Peggy Kuhn will join Niagara from Medaille University, as will a number of the keglers from the Mavericks’ program.
Walsh has been a part of the Western New York bowling circuit and national bowling industry for nearly 30 years, including the past six seasons with Medaille as an assistant and head coach. The Mavericks’ bowling program has seen unprecedented success since Walsh joined the coaching staff in 2016–17, winning the 2019 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) regular season title, six straight AMCC Tournament Championships and finishing the last two of the last three seasons with a top 15 national ranking for the first time in program history.
Kuhn also brings tremendous experience to Niagara University in her role as assistant coach. She has more than 40 years of competitive bowling at multiple levels, and is a four-time Greater Buffalo USBC Bowler of the Year (1987, 1990, 1994, 2000). She has coached at Daemen College and Erie Community College, and she is a member of the Greater Buffalo USBC Hall of Fame, Erie Community College Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
On the Ridge
Holzschuh College of Business Administration Honors Business and Community Leaders at Dinner
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY alumni Joseph M. Falbo Jr., ’91, and Maryalice Demler, ’86, and ROAR Logistics Inc. were honored for their leadership, career accomplishments, and community service at a dinner hosted by the university’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration in April.
Falbo received the Distinguished Accounting Alumnus award. Currently a partner at Szymkowiak & Associates, Falbo has provided countless volunteer hours to the accounting profession and to his community. He has served in numerous roles for the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, including president, and was only the sixth person honored with its Special Recognition Award in appreciation of his extraordinary contributions to the organization. In May 2021, he completed a three-year term
as one of the 26 U.S. board members on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and also as a U.S. representative on the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants board of directors.
Demler, who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees, received the Dean’s Award. She is a news anchor/reporter for WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, N.Y., and has been honored with numerous awards for this work, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Journalism, an Associated Press Award, and two New York Emmy Awards. She has also received several awards for her work as a volunteer and emcee for many charity events throughout Western New York, including Business First’s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Community Leaders, the Niagara University Alumni Founder’s Award, and the St. Vincent de Paul Award.
ROAR Logistics was presented with the Corporate Leadership Award in recognition of both its success in the industry and its philanthropic and community commitment. Founded in 2003 by Robert Rich III, ROAR Logistics entered the transportation industry as an upstart Intermodal Marketing Company and has since risen to become one of the industry’s most recognized third-party logistics providers (3PL) and global freight forwarders. The organization is headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., with eight operations throughout the United States and a global network of agents providing comprehensive transportation services in over 150 countries worldwide. The more than 130 ROAR associates share a commitment to make a positive impact on the communities in which they live and work.
OVPE Celebrates One Year On Campus
AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR, Niagara University’s Office of Violence Prevention and Education has established itself as a hub for campuswide violence prevention programming and become a model for other universities to follow.
The OVPE was established in March 2022 with a three-year, $300,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. Since then, director Emily Pike has worked with Dr. Dana Radatz, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, and Dr. Jennifer Beebe, associate professor of counseling/education, to expand on their initiatives and establish new programs for students, faculty, and staff intended to make Monteagle Ridge a safe campus community for everyone.
“The OVPE signifies a commitment to prevention and education efforts on sexual and relationship violence on our college campus,” said Pike. “We hope to lead the way in fostering
a cultural shift that results in the next generation of advocates and leaders ensuring a safer campus and local community.”
The office focuses on awareness and prevention of gender-based violence—domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVDVSAS). Programming includes two signature annual events: “Take Back the Night” which aims to end sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms through rallies and marches; and “Living in Light: The Art of Healing,” an exhibit of artwork reflecting the journeys, experiences, hopes, and dreams of the survivors of domestic violence who created them. “Living in Light” is presented in connection with the Red Flag Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to encourage college students to intervene when they see a warning sign (“red flag”) of partner violence, and the Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts made by survivors and those who have lost a loved one to violence.
Among the new initiatives launched this year is Ridge Respect, a pledge of nonviolence and a way that members of the NU community can hold one another accountable for building a safe, inclusive, and supportive culture on campus. The pledge provides a foundation for students to host conversations and avenues to share when something makes them uncomfortable or does not align with the Ridge Respect values. It was integrated into summer and new student orientations, and the athletic department has partnered with the OVPE to host Ridge Respect games, reinforcing the message for students and sharing it with the community.
During DVDVSAS-related awareness months, the office has coordinated activities and events to bring attention to the risks of stalking (January), dating violence (February), sexual assault (April), and domestic violence (October), and also sponsored speakers and panels throughout the academic year.
Dr. Mark Frascatore, dean of the Holzschuh College of Business Administration (left) and the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president (right) with business dinner honorees Robert Rich III, Maryalice Demler, and Joseph M. Falbo Jr.
NU Welcomes Alumni Back to the Ridge
Left: Class of 1983 Nursing alumni with Monte: Back row, Lisa (Roth) Roche and Marie (Andrews) Hoover. Front row, Darren Marshall and Christine (Pappalardo) Tillman.
Below: The Class of 1978.
Right: Peter Glabik, ’98, and Sarah Lavey Stodolka, ’98.
Left: Mary Jane Grajewski Gross, ‘73, receives Niagara University’s Dunleavy Award from the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., NU president.
Right: Phil Zodda, ’73, and his wife, Kathleen Haywood-Zodda.
Above: Kevin Clarke, ’73, John Plant, ’73, and Tom Clogher, ’73.
Expanding Our Footprint in Western New York and Beyond
By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09
As colleges and universities face unprecedented challenges, many closing or partnering with their peers, Niagara University is undertaking bold initiatives to elevate critical directions and strengths in higher education with an expanded presence in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
To position Niagara as a regional and international university, we are expanding our footprint in the City of Vaughan, Ontario, and establishing locations in the Bridge District of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and within the Buffalo-Niagara medical corridor.
This strategic, intentional work is in direct alignment with our strategic plan. It positions the university as a leader in science, elevates our excellence in academics, and strengthens our reputation within the healthcare sector. It also establishes Niagara University as the premier binational university within
the Province of Ontario, Canada, and further reinforces our commitment to civic engagement and our work to inspire positive short- and long-term change in the lives of others in the Niagara Falls community.
Through more than $4 million in federal and state funding and a grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, as well as the generous support of our alumni and friends, we are able move forward on these strategic initiatives, which will strengthen our ability to meet the challenges of the future and ensure that our mission of providing a transformative education to our students is continued.
Buffalo-Niagara Medical Corridor: Establishing the Niagara University Biomedical Research Laboratory
Students in Niagara University’s science and healthcare programs will soon be able to augment their work in the university’s on-campus
Golisano Science Center with enhanced opportunities for direct research experience and scientific collaboration in a science research laboratory and commercialization space the university is establishing in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The initiative will also link the Buffalo and Niagara Falls regions, providing a model for the integration of regional institutions in working on STEM problems.
“Niagara University has a legacy of preparing students for careers in health professions, but the establishment of a physical presence on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus will elevate our academic reputation and further the impact of faculty research and technology transfer applications,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “When combined with the work happening in the Golisano Science Center, this will change the trajectory of university students in our science and healthcare programs.”
As part of the medical corridor in Buffalo, students will conduct research and experimentation, gaining critical experience that will increase their competitiveness for admission to graduate schools, medical schools, pharmacy schools, dental schools and accelerated programs in nursing, as well as their marketability for employment immediately after graduation.
Students will also aid in the establishment of a research-based workforce and further the research, advancement, and commercialization of a drug delivery technology called a Cholestosome™, which has been developed at Niagara University.
and revitalization of Niagara Falls while preparing our students to become leaders and change agents within their communities,” said Father Maher. “The Academic Innovation Hub is one more step forward as we continue this work.”
Vaughan, Ontario:
Positioning Niagara University as the premier binational university within the Province of Ontario
In 2019, Niagara University became the first-ever university to be established in the City of Vaughan, Ontario, building upon our legacy in graduating students who live and work in the province, giving students and graduates a place to call their Niagara University Ontario home, and continuing the 39-year legacy of Niagara alumni who take on levels of leadership across all professions in Canada. Establishing a campus in the greater Toronto region represents the continuing commitment and accredited presence of Niagara University to the province, having received our first Ministerial consent to offer programs in Ontario in 1984. Niagara University operates in the province under the authority and approval from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Located in the Vaughan Metropolitan Center, Niagara University Ontario has become an integral part of the heart of Vaughan’s emerging downtown core and has taken deliberate and focused steps to become embedded into that vibrant community by working with local organizations and becoming an active member of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce.
To position Niagara as a regional and international university, we are expanding our footprint in the City of Vaughan, Ontario, and establishing locations in the Bridge District of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and within the Buffalo-Niagara medical corridor.
A Cholestosome™ is a neutral, lipid-based particle that can deliver multiple molecule types, including small molecules, DNA, RNA, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, and antibodies into cells and throughout the body, including the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. The technology has a wide range of applications, including viral inhibition and development of a therapeutic for lead poisoning.
Bridge District, Niagara Falls: Integrating Academic Programs and Curriculum with Civic Engagement
The establishment of an Academic Innovation Hub in the Bridge District of Niagara Falls leverages our resources to deeply integrate academic programs and curriculum with civic engagement, facilitating interdependent and interdisciplinary teaching, research, and co-curricular opportunities for our students. Career pathways will be created through internships and career-oriented, project-based service with community organizations. The hub will also offer programming in early childhood development, economic development, and health and wellness.
As one of many anchors of Niagara Falls’ North End, the hub will partner with a number of organizations and businesses, including the Niagara Falls City School District; Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Catholic Health; the Niagara Seneca Casino; Heart, Love and Soul; Pinnacle Community Services; and those in tourism and hospitality, business development, and government. These strategic alliances will deliver vitality, growth, and needed support for the existing organizations and businesses while restoring a historical piece of the Bridge District.
“This initiative represents our deep commitment to support the growth
Initially offering a bachelor’s degree program in professional studies and a master’s degree program in educational leadership, the Ontario campus now also offers master’s degree programs in business administration and information security and digital forensics. Additionally, Niagara is approved to offer Additional Qualifications courses to extend the credentials of practicing teachers and is currently seeking the authority to offer master’s degrees in criminal justice administration and in emergency/disaster management and national security in Ontario.
The more than 12,000 square-foot site is growing, as well. A planned expansion and build out of an additional 18,000 square feet of space will further transform teaching and learning, creating classrooms in a highly technological environment that will provide community and cultural opportunities, co-working space for faculty and staff, and services and amenities for graduate students that create an engaged and robust professional learning environment in an urban-campus setting.
Niagara University Ontario, as a Designated Learning Institution, also has the authority to admit international students to its business and information security programs. With over 40 students currently enrolled and growing interest for the fall 2024 semester, NU Ontario offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment designed to graduate global citizens and promote civil discourse.
“We are committed to continue to strengthen our binational relationship to build and sustain our cross-border community,” said Father Maher. “When we first opened our doors in the City of Vaughan, we knew that our collaboration would extend beyond providing an excellent education that prepares Ontario’s future teachers and educational leaders. We are also partners in the transformation of this binational region to make a positive impact on its economy, sustainability, and educational opportunity for those who live in the city and region.”
Supply Chain and Logistics Expert Tapped to Lead Growth of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence Centers
By Lisa McMahon, MA’09
FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS,
Jack Ampuja, a recognized expert in logistics and supply chain management, has shared his “war stories” with graduate students in Niagara University’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration. The stories are based on his more than 40 years in a field he never expected to pursue.
“I didn’t go to school for this,” he said. “I just happened to fall into it and liked it so well, it’s all I’ve ever done.”
He also has served as the executive director of the college’s Center for Supply Chain Excellence, a collaboration between business firms and the college. The center promotes regional education in supply chain business fields, especially logistics, transportation, and global trade.
This summer, Ampuja was named the Robert B. Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence, a new position established with a $1.5 million gift from Wegmans Family Foundation.
Ampuja, whose extensive experience includes 30 years with five Fortune 500 firms and 25 consecutive years with grocery manufacturers, will continue his work with the supply chain center and take on additional responsibilities as director of the college’s Center of Food Industry Leadership. His vision for both centers includes offering more opportunities for students and the distinguished professionals who make up their respective advisory boards.
“Both of those centers are loaded with really experienced business people who want to help Niagara University,” he said. “We want to strengthen their connection to the university and look for ways to utilize that talent better.”
He notes that ways to do that include inviting them to speak in classes and the professional seminars he leads with his colleague, Dr. Jim Kling, associate professor of management, with whom he has partnered to provide business development workshops since 2000. The students, in turn, will benefit from the increased engagement with these potential mentors and employers.
“Ultimately, if those centers don’t help students gain expertise and help them launch their careers, then we’ve missed a major opportunity,” Ampuja said.
He also would like to increase the number of trainings he and Dr. Kling do in the business community, he said. Companies have reached
out to the two professors in the past to request customized workshops, he explained, but they have never had the capacity to market this valuable resource. He hopes this new initiative will create an opportunity to do so.
A physical location in Bisgrove Hall and the development of an interdisciplinary master’s level program in food systems are also in the works, he said.
Ampuja’s career has included stints in consulting, manufacturing, and third party logistics with jobs that have ranged from direct supervision of Teamsters and Longshoremen— at 23 years of age—to senior vice president of operations at a multibillion-dollar international company heading up a $200 million division with 800 employees. His teaching career includes serving as executivein-residence at both Niagara University and Canisius College, and on the faculty at Western New England College and the University of Massachusetts.
He is president and CEO of Supply Chain Optimizers, a consulting firm specializing in supply chain efficiencies and logistics strategy for companies including Office Depot, Target Stores, and ConAgra Foods. A frequent speaker across the country and around the world, Ampuja appeared on WGRZ-TV Channel 2 in Buffalo, N.Y., more than 25 times during the COVID pandemic. He has written or been interviewed for more than 65 articles in trade publications such as Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, Frozen Foods Digest, and Supply Chain Management Review.
Ampuja is certified by the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, by the International Customer Service Association, and by the National Association of Purchasing Management. He has held officer positions with ASTL, NAPM, and the Canadian American Border Trade Alliance, where he co-chaired the transportation committee for five years. He also served on the Grocery Manufacturers of America’s logistics committee and is a 35-year member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. He has testified before U.S. Congress as a transportation expert and has been featured on the cover of Logistics Management magazine.
“I am delighted that Jack has accepted the position of Robert B. Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence,” said Dr. Mark Frascatore, dean of the Holzschuh College of Business Administration. “Jack has years of experience in logistics and in the food industry, extensive teaching experience at Niagara University and other higher educational institutions, and a vast network of industry connections. We are extremely fortunate to have him in this role as he leads the growth of the centers of Food Industry Leadership and Supply Chain Excellence and guides the efforts in creating a leading-edge facility on campus to house the centers. As director, he will also collaborate with food industry leaders in Western New York to create, build, and inspire transformative programs to move Niagara University to the forefront of food industry and supply chain education.”
WEGMANS FAMILY FOUNDATION
$1.5
Million Gift Establishes Robert B. Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence
By Lisa McMahon, MA’09
Niagara University’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration has received a $1.5 million gift from Wegmans Family Foundation to establish the Robert B. Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence. The director will lead the growth and development of its centers of Food Industry Leadership and Supply Chain Excellence and will guide the efforts in creating a leading-edge facility on campus to house the centers. The director will also collaborate with food industry leaders in Western New York to create, build, and inspire transformative programs and partnerships that reach the pinnacle of global excellence and enrich the educational and career opportunities for students.
“This generous gift from Wegmans Family Foundation will advance Niagara University’s work to strengthen our academic programs focused on the food industry and the field of supply chain management, providing more impactful career pathways for our students and important collaborations and opportunities for our corporate partners,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “In addition, this work is grounded in our Catholic and Vincentian mission, and it provides an interdisciplinary approach to potential solutions to the food insecurity we witness in our surrounding community.”
Dr. Mark Frascatore, dean of the Holzschuh College of Business Administration, agrees. “This gift from Wegmans Family Foundation provides us the means to move to the forefront of food industry and supply chain education. Our graduates will be prepared to become the next generation of leaders in these dynamic and important industries.”
“At Wegmans, we believe education creates opportunity,” said Colleen Wegman, president and CEO of Wegmans Food Markets. “We’re proud to partner with Niagara University to help prepare the next generation of food industry professionals for their future in this essential business.”
Robert Wegman, who was known as one of the most respected and influential leaders in the supermarket industry, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Niagara University in 1941. In 2007, he was recognized in the university’s inaugural class of the Niagara Legacy – Alumni of Distinction. Niagara’s interdisciplinary food industry leadership program already enables students to gain valuable experience and knowledge about the vast and diverse food industry while they pursue their chosen academic field. Recognized experts and professionals in the field of food logistics, global food systems, and food supply chain management teach the classes, assuring that the courses are current and relevant.
Niagara will also work to expand its current supply chain management course offerings. This expansion of offerings has been developed with the guidance of an advisory board consisting of distinguished supply chain executives from the United States and Canada and will better prepare students for work in logistics, transportation, and global trade.
Together, these programs will form the foundation of an innovative, multidisciplinary initiative that will meet current and emerging needs in the food industry. These include meeting the increased demand for organic and locally sourced food, an increased emphasis on farm-to-table systems, and developing the supply chain expertise necessary for moving the food materials from sourcing to the final consumers.
• Academic Excellence: Partnered with Wegmans Family Foundation to establish the Robert B. Wegman Endowed Director of Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence. (See page 10 for more on this story.)
• Transform the Student Experience: Renovated the Kiernan Recreation Center to provide students with a facility that anchors our commitment to excellence and enhances their living-learning environment. (See page 17 for more on this story.)
Campaign Highlights
• Build Civic Engagement: Created NU@822, an academic innovation hub in downtown Niagara Falls that enables students to engage with the community. (See page 8 for more on this story.)
• Graduate Global Citizens: Introduced a summer-term study-abroad program to Italy in the Holzschuh College of Business.
• Niagara University in Ontario: Emphasized the growth of our Vaughan campus, which opened in 2019, by adding two new programs and 18,000 sq. ft. of educational space. (See page 8 for more on this story.)
• Strengthen and Sustain Our Future: Enhanced the Marcus Brown Heritage Society.
Building Your Legacy and Strengthening Our Future
In 2022–23, 13 donors joined 89 other Marcus Brown Heritage Society members by notifying us of an estate gift naming Niagara University as a beneficiary.
Total Estate Gifts Raised = $55,397,852
“Niagara University is a very special place. The campus is packed with people who are bright, have big hearts, and are full of life! Planned giving is an easy way to show gratitude for a great experience and lifelong friendships. The world needs more NU grads! This is a VERY worthwhile investment.”
105 leadership gifts of $100,000 or more, of which 26 were $1 million+
8,518 unique donors contributed to the campaign 78% of the campaign is supported by alumni and friends 93.6% $117 million toward goal of $125,000,000
“Words cannot express how honored we are to have such generous alumni, students, parents, friends, community partners, and board members that support niagara university. with every act of generosity, we move closer to raising $125 million, and i am excited to share that we are over 93.6% of our goal. if you haven’t already made your gift, please consider joining the thousands of niagarans pushing us to the finish line. you have the power to help us transform the lives of our students now and for generations to come.”
Niagara Athletics saw plenty of success on and off the playing surface in 2022–23, including appearances in conference championships for 15 of 18 varsity sports. A total of 25 Purple Eagles landed on All-MAAC teams, and 153 student-athletes earned MAAC
All-Academic recognition for their work in the classroom.
Women’s Soccer
• Niagara recorded a program-best 662-minute shutout streak en route to an 11-8-1 overall record and 6-3-1 conference mark that propelled the Purple and White to its first MAAC Championship title game appearance since 2009.
• A total of five Purple Eagles were named to All-MAAC teams, including fifth year standout and team captain Ida Miceli, who earned a spot on the first team and was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-Atlantic Region Third Team.
Men’s Soccer
• The Purple Eagles reached the MAAC Championship semifinals for the first time since their 2012 MAAC Championship run after posting a 4-2-4 record in league play.
• Seniors Stephen Hasse and Rodrigo Almeida earned All-MAAC honors, and freshman Roberto Sanchez-Cervera was named Newcomer of the Year at the Purple Eagle Award Show.
Volleyball
• First-year head coach Ren Cefra picked up his first career win with a three-set win over Bryant at the Hofstra Tournament on Aug. 26, 2022.
• The Purple Eagles went on to post a 7-11 record in MAAC play, earning a spot in the MAAC Volleyball Championship held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. The Purple and White won their first match over Saint Peter’s before falling to MAAC champion Fairfield in the second round.
• Niagara freshman Kinga Wronska was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team after a stellar freshman campaign.
Men’s & Women’s Cross Country
• The Purple Eagles were led by 2022–23 Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year, junior Braden York, who set personal-best times in the 8K MAAC Championship and 10K NCAA Northeast Regional.
• On the women’s side, the Purple and White were led by senior Annina Marullo, who set a personal best 5K time of 19:02.9 at the Canisius Alumni Classic.
Women’s Lacrosse
• Niagara recorded the upset of the year, defeating PAC-12 contender Oregon 12-10 in Eugene, before going on to finish the season 12-7 overall, including a 5-3 MAAC record.
• NU earned the No. 3 seed in the MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship for the second consecutive season.
• The Purple Eagles saw two single-season records fall in 2023, as junior Riley Latray and freshman Sydney Huhtala set the program’s new benchmarks for assists (42) and caused turnovers (41). Niagara also set team records for wins (12) and goals scored (237).
• Senior Rachel Crane was named MAAC CoMidfielder of the Year after pacing the league in goals scored.
Women’s Basketball
• Niagara reached new heights in 2022–23, recording a programrecord 16 league wins and, despite falling in the MAAC women’s basketball semifinals to Manhattan, earning the program’s first-ever postseason berth with a trip to the WNIT.
• Angel Parker and Aaliyah Parker were both named to the All-MAAC First Team, with Angel being a unanimous selection by the league’s head coaches.
• Niagara ended the season leading the NCAA in steals per game (15.2) and forced turnovers per game (28.1).
Men’s Basketball
• After posting their first .500 winning percentage in league play in five seasons, the Purple Eagles earned their third-straight bye to the MAAC Championship quarterfinals.
• Niagara defeated No. 4 Siena in the quarterfinal round to advance to the MAAC semifinal for the second time in three seasons.
• Senior guard Noah Thomasson led the conference in scoring and was a unanimous selection to the All-MAAC First Team and National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District First Team.
Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving
•The Purple and White continued to build themselves into one of the most dominant programs in the MAAC, combining for a league-best 24 medals, including nine golds, nine silver, and seven bronze, at the MAAC Swimming & Diving Championships.
• The Purple Eagles also set two MAAC records during the league’s premiere event, with the women setting the 400 free relay record and the men breaking the 200 free relay record.
• The women finished second in the standings, while the men posted a third-place finish, its first top-three finish at MAACs since 1997.
Aaliyah Parker
Braden York
Kinga Wronska
Men’s swim team members Kevin Vu, Levi Morgan, Alex Magditch, Nathan Dragon
Baseball
• On the diamond, the Purple Eagles earned wins over NCAA Tournament teams Oregon, George Mason, and Rider en route to posting an above .500 record in the regular season for the first time since 2006.
• Niagara also earned its third-straight bid to the MAAC Championships in Pomona, N.Y., after sweeping Mount St. Mary’s to end the season.
• Graduate student and All-MAAC First Team selection Max Giordano set the program’s single-season home run record with 16 long balls, and freshman Nick Groves recorded 57 walks, breaking the Purple Eagle and MAAC record for free passes in a season.
Softball
• For the second time in program history, the Purple Eagles traveled to Hawaii, playing 13 games in 14 days.
• Junior Sam Hare was named to the AllMAAC First Team and sophomore Lindsay Mayo earned All-MAAC Second Team honors as an infielder.
• Senior Maddie Hickingbottom struck out a total of 151 batters in 2023, the fourth most in a season by a Purple Eagle.
Hockey
The Purple Eagles secured their first winning season in a decade with a 19-18-3 record, reaching the Atlantic Hockey semifinals for the third time in five seasons.
Niagara finished 6-2-0 in nonconference action, highlighted by sweeps of Omaha and Colgate. It was the first time the Purple Eagles won six nonleague games since 2008-09. In early February, the Purple and White swept No. 18 RIT, highlighting a 10-13-3 season in AHA action.
Women’s track and field
• NU had a record-setting spring with multiple program top-10 performances.
• The Purple and White saw records broken by freshman Vanessa Woolery (400m hurdles and 4x400 relay), freshman Clara Barr (long jump), and freshman Daniella Valez, senior Amani Scott, and junior Kate Pratt (4x400 relay).
Men’s & Women’s Tennis
• Niagara went 3-3 in MAAC play, narrowly missing the conference tournament.
• Junior Trevor Masi was named to the All-MAAC First Team, while senior Manuel Alonso and sophomore Gurustat Makkar were selected as a doubles pair on the All-MAAC First Team.
• The women’s team finished the season with a 2-4 record in conference play and 5-13 mark overall.
Men’s Golf
• The Purple and White welcomed first-year head coach Tim Frank prior to the start of the spring season.
• Niagara finished ninth overall at the MAAC Men’s Golf Championship in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Women’s Golf
• Sophomore Marina Heister became the first Purple Eagle to ever be named MAAC Golfer of the Week. The Olean, N.Y., native posted a career-low score of 79 in both the first and second rounds of the Julie, to finish the invitational 34th overall with a 36hole score of 158 (+16).
• Niagara finished ninth overall at the MAAC Women’s Golf Championship.
• Six Purple Eagles were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team: juniors Jaida Borg and Coral Rodriguez, seniors Erika Gonzalez and Madigan Humiston, and sophomore Mercedes Velasco.
Owen Gauder
Marina Heister
Mercedes Velasco
Maddie Hickingbottom
Vanessa Woolery
Jay Ahearn
NFL Executive Vice President
Troy Vincent Establishes The Vincent Commission
Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, and Tommi Vincent, chair of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, were on campus June 14 to launch The Vincent Commission, a newly established entity formed to study and address gender-based violence on college and university campuses. The Vincent Commission will partner with Niagara University to conduct “The New Ground Study on Gender-based Violence” to focus on understanding how young men, through their thoughts and experiences, perceive domestic and gender-based violence.
The research study is expected to be completed in 12–18 months. The research will be led by Niagara University scholars Jennifer Beebe, Ph.D., and Dana Radatz, Ph.D. A vital cornerstone of the work will seek to better understand how young men’s experiences influence how they perceive, understand, and process the impact of all forms of gender violence.
Based on results from “The New Ground Study,” The Vincent Commission will recommend best practices for prevention, educational approaches, and policy changes. In addition, core findings from the study will also enable the commission to offer a new model for higher education institutions on the prevention of gender-based violence and bring awareness to bystander intervention. The intention is that the model framework will be easily replicated, customized, and adapted to other campus communities while informing policy, future research, and practice prior to implementation.
Because of their deep commitment to eradicating gender-based violence, creating The Vincent Commission was the obvious next step for Troy and Tommi Vincent.
“The number of acts of gender-based violence keep going up. Despite all the dedicated advocacy work and preventative measures being taken around the country, we are not seeing the changes in behavioral trends that we need to see,” said Tommi Vincent.
“My wife, Tommi, and I feel called to do more, which is why we created The Vincent Commission,” continued Troy Vincent. “Through the work of the commission and the help of our dedicated partners, we plan to go where no research study has gone before. We are looking for new data, a new model, and ultimately, a new culture of respect and advocacy in communities across the country.”
“A key component to addressing violence within our culture is to emphasize prevention, which we do by educating people on ways to reduce their risks for harm, identifying potentially harmful situations and red flags, how to seek help, and how to help others,” said Dr. Radatz. “I’m truly looking forward to continuing to advance our violence prevention work through The Vincent Commission with our integral partners.”
Commission will help us to advance research on gender-based violence, which highlights the importance of both theory and practice. As a result of this partnership, we hope that NU will serve as a national hub for leading scholarship and resources on prevention and education efforts on gender-based violence.”
Niagara University has been a leader in ensuring a safe environment on campus and in the community. Working with Dr. Beebe and Dr. Radatz, the university deepened its commitment with the establishment of the Office of Violence Prevention and Education, which works to increase dialogue and engage all individuals in prevention, education, and intervention efforts surrounding domestic violence, dating violence, assault, and stalking.
As a result of this partnership, we hope that NU will serve as a national hub for leading scholarship and resources on prevention and education efforts on gender-based violence.
“Institutionalizing prevention and education efforts on gender-based violence has helped us to further cultivate a climate that supports the learning and wellness of all in a safe and respectful environment at NU,” continued Dr. Beebe. “Partnering with The Vincent
“I want to thank Kathleen Neville, a member of Niagara’s Board of Trustees,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “Kathleen has played an integral role in working with Troy and Tommi, and bringing the pieces together for the establishment of The Vincent Commission. I am confident there will be many success points along the way, and we can thank Kathleen for her continued role in supporting the incredible work of The Vincent Commission.”
The Vincent Commission team will include academic scholars and experts in the of field domestic and gender-based violence.
Dr. Dana Radatz, Tommi Vincent, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Troy Vincent, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, Dr. Jennifer Beebe, and Dr. Brian Lawton.
Niagara University Cuts Ribbon on Renovated Kiernan Center
Niagara University celebrated the completion of an $11.5 million renovation project at its Kiernan Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 19, 2023. The project was funded through a $1 million grant from the NYS Higher Education Capital (HECap) matching program, as well as other private donations and university investments.
“The renovated Kiernan Center will provide our students, and the entire community, with a facility that anchors our commitment to excellence and touches every aspect of a student’s life on our campus,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “The Kiernan Center enhances the living-learning environment for our students, whether through academic programming,
intramural and club sports, or as a place for students to maintain their physical well-being through individual or group exercise.”
The renovation project included the construction of an 18,000 square-foot, two-story addition with a new weight room, sports medicine suite, advanced dance studios, field and classroom storage, athletic locker rooms, team meeting space, and recreation offices. In addition, improvements including replacement to the front gym floor, upgrades to Scaffidi gym, and infrastructure enhancements such as a new natatorium filtration system were also completed during the renovation, as were student-focused additions such as student meeting and multiuse spaces and a new, more welcoming entryway.
The Kiernan Recreation Center’s new façade.
A
Dance Studio
Locker Room Medical Suite
news from the nest
Who Was There...
The Office of Alumni Engagement and our chapters across the country host numerous events for alumni to reconnect and stay engaged with all that is happening on Monteagle Ridge. Visit www.niagara.edu/alumni-events/ for a list of upcoming events.
Frederick Scullin, ’61, Patricia (Dolan) Zaback, ’65, and Jerry Zabach, ’65, enjoyed happy hour and dinner at the Sarasota, Fla., home of Bill Gacioch, ’61, and his wife, Nancy, on March 15, 2023.
Mary (McMorrow) DeFranco, ‘76, (fourth from right) hosted an alumni gathering in the Villages, Fla., on Feb. 3, 2023. In attendance were Jaclyn Rossi Drozd, ’08, M.S.Ed.’10, vice president for institutional advancement; Pat (Casale) Santulli, ’63; James Cummins, ’83; Dennis Fee, ’62; Carol Van Noy; Vic Palumbos, ’70; Ralph Camp; Colleen (Corcoran) Camp, ’76; Mary; Pat Ryan; Patricia (DeGrechie) Quinn, ’75; and Courtney Corbetta, ’14, assistant director of Alumni Engagement.
Nursing
Jaclyn Rossi Drozd, ’08, M.S.Ed.’10; Heather Henry, ’98; John Peck, ’74; Tara Ostaszewicz, Stephen Ostaszewicz, ’96; Mary Ann Lecesse; Len Lecesse, ’66; and Courtney Corbetta, ’14 at an alumni gathering in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 13, 2023.
Mary (Andrus) Tindall, ’68, and Beth (Herron) Cahaney, ’68, cheer on the Purple Eagles at the 2022 MAAC/ASUN Dublin Basketball Challenge in Dublin, Ireland, November 2022.
Windy City alumni and friends (front row) Kathy (Brennan) Sweitzer, ’73; Suzanne (Kowalczyk) Hogan, ’76; David Perlman, ’80; Eileen (Burns) Lerum, ’70; (back row) Michael Hogan, ’76; Robert Sweitzer; Christopher Ranous, ’01; Desiree Linderman-Jareo; Dylan Jareo, ’15; Marissa Bailey Geller, ’03; Ronald Skarbek, ’71; Justine Pugliese, ’16; and Ken Lizewski reconnected at the Chicago Winery on May 17, 2023.
More
’85; Jim Merrill, ’85; and Tony Carzo, ’88.
alumna Patricia (Behringer) Gorman, ’68; Fran (Stevralia) Crosby, ’67; Diana (Bisordi) Goodrich, ’67; AnnMarie (Barbato) Rogers, ’67; and Roslyn (Crescenzi) Adair, ’67; got together in Fort Pierce, Fla., on Feb. 5, 2023.
than 20 alumni and friends met at Four Green Fields Irish Pub in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 23, 2023, before the Buffalo Sabres took on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Among them were (top photo) Pat (Moran) Alvarez, ’72; Terry Murphy, ’82; John Alvarez; (bottom photo) Tim Bouley, ’85; Tim Palisano,
a table (8 tickets) with signage.
For more information, please contact Serena Stewart at stewart@niagara.edu or 905.327.0614. Visit https://niagarau.ca/nu-engaged/presidents-dinner for registration and event details
q Table Sponsor
Includes quarter-page ad and a table (8 tickets) with signage.
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1,262
Alumni Profile
Elizabeth Laskie-Gonzalez, ’95, Keeps TODAY on Track
By Lisa McMahon, MA’09
As
senior director of TODAY
Show operations, Elizabeth Laskie-Gonzalez, ’95, is working for an organization she has admired since she was a child growing up in Skaneateles, N.Y.
“I’ve always loved NBC,” she said. “I would look at the TV Guide and always want to see NBC in the top ratings, and I was an avid TODAY Show watcher when I was a kid. I would watch the show from 7:00 to 7:20, and that was when I knew I had to get on the bus. I always wanted to be informed and be aware of what was going on in the world, so it was sort of natural for me to be drawn to NBC.”
After graduating from Niagara University’s theatre program, Laskie-Gonzalez briefly moved back home before heading for New York City in 1996. She worked a couple of jobs, including in the NBC Store at 30 Rock, and took acting classes and did auditions during her free time. Her job in the NBC Store ultimately led to her current role.
“While I was working in the store, I got a job in the NBC page program,” she said. “I figured, at minimum, it would help me be better at understanding what it was like on the other side of the camera—why not give myself an education in television production that I didn’t have?”
The NBCUniversal Page Program is an entrylevel, yearlong program that prepares graduates for employment within the company. Pages rotate between three full-time assignments to gain a well-rounded experience and exposure to the media industry.
Laskie-Gonzalez completed assignments with Saturday Night Live—“a pinch-me moment that I never took for granted,” she said—and news media relations before being chosen as the third assistant for Bob Wright, then CEO of NBC.
Upon completing the program, she was hired at Weekend TODAY, and then went to Later TODAY/3rd Hour of TODAY. She left the TODAY family to work on the John Walsh daytime talk show at NBC Entertainment. Although the show was canceled after only a year and a half, Laskie-Gonzalez was able to get into the Directors Guild, which opened the door to associate director positions.
Laskie-Gonzalez left NBC to freelance as a production manager for a car racing series, a job that required a lot of travel. After two years with sports, she was eager to return to a more “stable life,” so when a colleague told her about a position at Dateline, she applied and was hired. Although the role was traditionally that of an office manager, she was able to draw on her production background and take on additional responsibilities that interested her, which allowed her to continue to grow in her career.
She remained with Dateline for seven years before being invited to rejoin the TODAY Show.
In her current role, she works behind the scenes to ensure the weekday news and entertainment program is running smoothly. That requires managing more than 300 people on a 24/7 basis and making sure they have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs.
“It’s just a matter of trying not to drop any balls and prioritizing what we need to prioritize every day,” she said. “In theory, you shouldn’t really know I exist.”
Laskie-Gonzalez also works with interns and enjoys mentoring the young employees. She notes that seeing former interns and hearing how something as simple as a half hour conversation impacted their careers is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
“I really enjoy helping people navigate their careers and their next steps and their opportunities for growth and stimulation,” she said. “I think giving critique and guidance for some people can be challenging, but I always come from an educational perspective, so it’s something that I enjoy doing. “
Her work with the TODAY Show has given her some of her most memorable experiences, including going to the Salt Lake City
Olympics in 2002, meeting former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, and being part of the team that won a daytime Emmy in 2020. The TODAY Show also received a Peabody Institutional Award in April 2023.
Although her current career seems unrelated to her undergraduate studies in theatre, Laskie-Gonzalez notes that the theatre program gave her a well-rounded liberal arts education and the ability to manage her time.
“When I was in school, I didn’t think it was abnormal that I was literally in class from 8 or 9 o’clock in the morning until night, and then I had to go work in the theatre when I was acting in a show. I thought that was just normal life,” she said, adding that she was also active on committees and as an RA and an RD during her four years on Monteagle Ridge. That experience has taken her up the ranks at NBC, and she is grateful, she said.
“I went to a Catholic school on purpose, so my faith is the most important thing in my life,” she said. “I would never work in a place that I didn’t feel proud to be working for, morally and ethically, and the TODAY Show is a brand I’m really proud of.”
Elizabeth Laskie-Gonzalez, ’95, senior director of TODAY Show operations, with the TODAY Show mascot, Hinode (“sunrise”) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which took place July 23–Aug. 8, 2021.
Share Your News With Us!
Let us know what’s new with you: new jobs, new babies, marriages, etc. Send your updates to Lisa McMahon, editor, at lmcmahon@niagara. edu. Digital photos should be taken at the camera’s highest quality setting and sent with a description and the names and class years of the people in it. Due to the volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee publication of alumni notes or photos in the Eagle.
Class Notes
1960s
Dan Anthon, ’69, published the book, “The Magic Carpet Ride,” a memoir based on his more than 30 years as an art therapist. The book illustrates the efficacy of art therapy predominantly through Dan’s own artwork, often done beside his clients.
Joseph Sheridan, ’69, published “Angel in the Cockpit: Surviving Vietnam and PTSD . . . A Helicopter Pilot’s Story,” in December 2022. Joe’s memoir, available on Amazon, shares his experiences as a Cobra helicopter gunship pilot serving in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam and the brave pilots who fought alongside him. With over 350 combat missions from September 1970 to September 1971, Joe earned two Bronze Stars with “V” device (valor), 20 Air Medals with valor, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
1970s
Christine (McKenna) McDermott, ’74, M.S.Ed.’79, retired in September 2022 after 47 years mentoring students as an administrator in the Niagara University Office of Admissions. She began her career as an admissions counselor in July 1975, taking on additional responsibilities over the years, including writing letters to prospective students and families, implementing strategic admissions communications flows, coordinating student search outreach and mailings, revising promotional literature, and fine-tuning yield campaigns. She also managed budgets, became the point person with external vendors, generated counselor recruitment territories, and supervised operations. She progressed to positions as assistant director, associate director, senior associate director, and director of first-year enrollment, and was director of enrollment enhancement at the time of her retirement. In May 2022, she was selected by the Niagara Orleans Counselor Association as its 2022 Counselor of the Year in recognition of her remarkable service to the industry.
John Prior, ’75, has been selected to become a member of the advisory board of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston in Houston, Texas.
Rev. James Gould, ’77, is pastor of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, Va., and chaplain at the Catholic Medical Association in Virginia.
Paula Howard, ’78, retired after working full time as a registered nurse for more than 44 years. She spends her retirement between
Raleigh and an “unknown location” in the mountains of North Carolina.
Michael Romeo, ’78, retired in March 2023 from his job as a data entry operator for health insurance from Maximus Inc. in Albany, N.Y. He previously worked for Empire Blue Cross in Albany.
Colleen Carmody, ’79, is dean of nursing at Maria College in Albany, N.Y.
1980s
Karen (Bauch) Leidig, ’80, published her first book in October 2022. “Driving in the Moonlight,” a collection of 95 original poems and sayings, is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com.
Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, ’80, was recently honored in Dublin by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She was conferred as a Fellow Ad Eundem for her contributions to nursing, healthcare, education, and research. She also received the 2022 Global Intrapreneur of the Year Award in Education from the Global Intrapreneurs Institute in Australia for her creative approaches to expanding the global footprint of nursing education. Dr. MorrisonBeedy is chief talent and global strategy officer and the Centennial Professor of Nursing at The Ohio State University, and a member of Niagara’s Board of Trustees.
James Scarcelli, ’80, is owner of Scarcelli Real Estate Group in Monarch Beach, Dana Point, Southern California. His family was featured in the March 2019 issue of Neighbors by the Shore, a magazine serving the residents of Peppertree Bend, Old San Juan Road, Bear Brand, Oliva, The Strand, and Ritz Cove, Calif.
Tim Attridge, ’81, recently retired from the U.S.P.S.
Theresa (DeConinck) Gration, ’82, joined the Melbourne, Australia, convention bureau’s US team as senior manager, business development, North America, in early January 2023. Theresa works with international associations and corporations to help them select Melbourne for future global conferences and events. She is based at her home office in the Kansas City area.
John Hochreiter, ’71 (second row far right in yellow jersey), has been playing hockey with the Slapsticks for more than 30 years. This year, he was joined by another Niagara alum, Mike McDonald, ’90, who plays goalie for the team (front row in purple and white).
CATCHING UP
Kenney, ’83,
Catherine Fries Kenney, ’83, received the Clinical Practice Excellence Award from the Delta Kappa chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing. Catherine is an adult geriatric home health nurse practitioner at Inovalon Healthcare and was awarded the Inovalon Hero award in 2022 for her extensive work with assisting a diabetic patient who was having difficulty managing her diabetes. She also has been working in nursing education for more than 23 years and is currently a clinical faculty member in La Salle University’s undergraduate nursing program. In 2018, she received the Daisy Award for Outstanding Faculty.
Jeffrey Ruscio, ’85, is manager/night auditor at Holiday Inn Express in Tucson, Ariz.
Steven Hamilton, ’87, under the nom de plume Evan Edwards, received the New York State Council of the Arts grant for his play “Members of the Choir,” about a group of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ college friends. The play garnered several New York Theatre award nominations, including best new Off-Off Broadway play of 2022, best direction, best production, and three best actor nominations.
Kathy (King) McLean, ’88, retired in September 2022 after a 33-year career with the Department of Homeland Security Immigration.
Robert Plato, ’88, is industry alliance manager at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, N.Y.
1990s
Christine Angotti-Watts, ’92, was promoted to chief operations officer for Amerigroup DC in December 2022.
Dan Balys, ’94, accepted a partner position with Greenspoon Marder LLP in its Chicago and Orlando offices. He previously was of counsel
with Greenberg Traurig LLP in Chicago. He holds a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Dr. Elizabeth Heavey, ’95, professor and director of the graduate nursing program at SUNY Brockport, published her fourth edition of “Statistics for Nursing: A Practical Approach” with Jones & Bartlett publishing. The text is used in more than 120 nursing programs nationally, including the University of Rochester, Yale University, and throughout all graduate nursing programs in Indiana’s public universities. It has been translated into Indonesian and sold throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. The previous edition was awarded the 2018 American Journal of Nursing #1 Book of the Year in the Nursing Research category. The new edition includes updated content, review questions, research article applications, computer applications, test bank, and lectures.
Nicholas Silvaroli, ’95, was named superintendent of schools for the Pioneer, N.Y., central school district board of education. He began his Pioneer career in 2005 as business
Julie (Kralisz) Connelly, ’91, qualified for her first national badminton tournament, the National Senior Games, which take place this summer. Learning that she had qualified “was the best feeling,” she said. “This is something that I wanted to accomplish, it was on my bucket list.”
Julie has competed in nearly 20 tournaments throughout Western and Central New York and Ontario, Canada, and won several at her own level. She began playing badminton about 10 years ago as a way to stay fit and socialize as she raised her two sons, and the sport has now become a passion for her.
administrator before being named assistant superintendent in 2011.
Tim Jensen, ’96, was promoted to partner at GBAO, a survey research and strategic consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
Daniel McNamara, ’94, and Craig Sheets, ’95, met up in Miami in October 2022 to cheer on the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Although the Bills didn’t exactly squish the fish, the Power of Niagara and Bills Mafia still remained strong as ever.
Catherine Fries
with her husband, Mark.
2000s
Jamie (Rushford) Schroetke, ’01, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at CHPG, caring for adults struggling with a variety of mental health disorders. She holds a master’s degree in nursing as an advanced practice nurse, specializing as an adult clinical nurse specialist, and is board certified as an advanced certified hospice and palliative care nurse. In 2021, she obtained her post-graduate certificate as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Lisa Ceglia, ’02, MBA’06, was named senior vice president of government relations at M&T Bank. In this role, she will guide M&T’s advocacy efforts in New York state. She has more than 15 years of experience as a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy professional, working directly with federal and state lawmakers on a variety of issues.
Danielle Sindelar, ’02, was named chief nursing officer of University Hospitals Beachwood and TriPoint medical centers. She previously served as director of the Center of Emergency Medicine at UH Cleveland Medical Center. She holds an MSN from Kent State University and a certification in medical surgical nursing.
Greg Bedrosian, ’03, received the 2022 CEO Award at GE Power. He is the strategic initiatives and process excellence logistics leader on GE Vernova’s global trade and transportation team.
John R.D. Celock, ’03, is the special projects editor for City & State NY, a magazine and website covering politics and government across New York City and New York state, where he oversees City & State’s popular power lists and awards lists features. John also serves
as a member of the board of directors for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, a first-in-the-nation nonprofit created by the state of New Jersey to grow access to local news and information.
Marisa Prokop, ’03, was appointed administrator of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s Schoellkopf Health Center. She has been with Schoellkopf since 2007, most recently serving as assistant administrator. Marisa holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Walden University.
Sarah (Leising) Tabone, ’03, has been appointed director of the Clearview Treatment Services program at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, N.Y. Prior to her appointment, she was the supervising counselor for Catholic Health’s chemical dependency treatment programs at STAR St. Vincent in Buffalo and STAR Pathway in Amherst.
Mike Adams, MBA’04, was promoted to northeast region vice president for Current Lighting. He has worked in the electrical/ lighting industry for the past 15 years in sales and management.
John King, ’05, is an account representative for Niagara Fresh Fruit Co., a division of Bucolo Cold Storage, and will also be helping to manage more than 1,000 acres of the company’s farming operation. He has more than 15 years of sales experience working with apple growers in Western New York.
Bill Patti, ’05, was named executive director of Kenan Center, a nonprofit organization providing the Lockport, N.Y., community with cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. He previously served as general manager at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, N.Y.; producing artistic director at Highlands Playhouse in Highlands, N.C.; director of theater at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va.; and director of performing arts at Rabun Gap School in Nacoochee, Ga. He has a master’s degree in fine arts from Kent State University.
Joanne Israel, ’06, MBA’13, has been named general manager at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. She joined Seneca Gaming Corporation in 2011 after five years in public accounting. She served as general manager at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino from 2016-2018 and was named assistant general manager at Seneca Niagara in 2018. She was a recipient of the
few years ago, Kristin
Lindley,
decided to leave corporate life to launch her own boutique home design/ staging business with her longtime friend, Meagan (Branagan) Baker, ’04, MBA’05. Although both women had successful careers in sales, they were looking for something more personally fulfilling. The business acumen the women gained as students at Niagara served them well as they built a brand and established a business plan for what would become Upstate Roots Design. The women recently purchased a cobblestone farmhouse built in 1832 in North Greece, N.Y., to be their first-ever headquarters. The historic home is registered as both a national and local landmark.
inaugural Rising Leader Award presented by the National Indian Gaming Association and was recognized among the Emerging Leaders in Gaming by The Innovation Group and the Global Gaming Exposition in Las Vegas.
Dr. Tiffany (Sponaugle) Banks, ’08, completed her Ph.D. in social work at Colorado State University after defending her dissertation on May 4, 2023. She will be joining the School of Social Work faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, this fall as an assistant professor.
Margarita (Grigoryev) Gilo, ’08, is assistant general manager of Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md., the top-rated country club in America. She previously was club manager at Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga.
A
(Weilert)
’04 (left),
CATCHING UP
Robert Ingrasci, ’08, has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of the Mount St. Mary’s Hospital of Lewiston Foundation. He has served the foundation as treasurer since 2019. He also served as past chair and is current treasurer of the Mount St. Mary’s Hospital of Lewiston Board of Associates and co-leader of Niagara University’s Alumni Association’s WNY chapter. Bob is a partner at Lumsden McCormick, LLP.
Laura Markle, ’08, was named partner at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP. She has been with the firm for 15 years.
Beth Rickard, ’08, opened First Nations Copywriter in February 2023, a firm that focuses on copywriting, public relations, and advertising.
2010s
Wynton Bernard, ’12, signed a minorleague contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2023. After 10 seasons in the minors and over 800 MiLB games, Wynton made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2022.
Rebekah Rutkowski, ’12, rejoined Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in May as a global sales manager on the Hyatt sales force team, overseeing the leisure market in the U.S. and Canada.
Andrew Adolf, ’13, was appointed deputy mayor for the Village of Depew, N.Y., in April 2023. He has also served as a trustee on the village board and as a member of the village’s planning board.
Kaiden Davis, ’13, founded the Much Love Initiative for suicide prevention and mental health advocacy in New York state’s Wayne and Monroe counties. In his first year, he raised nearly $50,000.
Rosina Mete, M.S.’13, Ph.D.’18, was recently promoted to director of faculty within the master of arts in counselling psychology program at Yorkville University. Dr. Mete was also a keynote speaker at LabCon 2023, the annual conference hosted by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science to promote mental health and values connection among medical laboratory professionals.
Ashley DeMar, ’14, released the four-song EP “Going Home,” in February 2023, a collection of traditional Celtic music. It is available on streaming services such as Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Nikolaos Moraros, ’14, was promoted to dean of the School of Nursing for Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio, Texas.
Isaac De Los Santos, ’15, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for his career achievements, leadership and initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. He is vice president, business banking senior relationship manager at M&T Bank.
Zachary Rambuss, ’15, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for his career achievements, leadership and initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. He is assistant general manager at The Westin Buffalo.
Kristin Ré, ’15, MBA’15, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for her career achievements, leadership and initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. She is a tax manager at Lumsden McCormick CPAs.
Suheiri Rodriguez, ’15, was named one of 30 under 30 CHANGEMAKERS in Western New York who are excelling in their careers
and who have demonstrated a level of impact in that field. Rodriguez, who owns NY Candle Cage and is opening a new restaurant, Casa De Mama, was recognized in the Business and Entrepreneurship category.
Maggie Hempel, ’16, works at the Public Defender’s Office in Niagara County underneath the Erie County Bar Association’s Assigned Counsel Program.
Marco Notaro, ’16, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for his career achievements, leadership and initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. He is community outreach director at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity.
Megan Welling, ’16, is director of enrollment management with La Salle Academy, an allmale college-preparatory Catholic high school in New York City.
Sabrina Kahwaty, ’17, is a Buffalo, N.Y., area actor. She most recently appeared in “The Tempest” with Irish Classical Theatre Company and the BPO, reprising the role she played (Miranda) during her study-abroad trip to London in 2016. She is currently executive editor of Buffalo Spree magazine and Forever Young magazine.
Daniel Schlein, ’17, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for his career achievements, leadership and initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. He is a financial services professional at Alliance Advisory Group.
Jessica Wylucki, ’17, MBA’20, was promoted to senior accountant at Lumsden McCormick CPAs. She is a member of the tax team responsible for tax compliance services for businesses and individuals.
Noah Barnard, ’19, is a real-time systems engineer with the New York Power Authority. He completed an internship with the authority while a student at Niagara.
Petrina Sciandra, ’19, was among the 30 Under 30 honored by Business First of Buffalo for her career achievements, leadership and
initiative, community engagement, and potential to become a community leader on a grand scale. She is director of human resources at Empower WNY.
Brandon Sturak, ’19, published a sciencefiction novel “Imperium: Adventure Reality” in March 2023. The story is a culmination of his professional writing career and life-long passions in the gaming and esports industries.
2020s
Anna Pennesi, ’20, was named women’s health director at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. She has more than 13 years of nursing experience, including labor and delivery, postpartum, antepartum and neonatal care. She holds a master’s degree in nursing administration and leadership from Empire State University and has received numerous certifications, including inpatient obstetric nursing.
Sarah Wetzel, ’20, graduated from Notre Dame Law School in May 2023, and will be joining the US Capital Markets Practice Group at Clifford Chance in London in the fall.
Brooke McNamara, ’21, MBA’22, was promoted to senior accountant at Lumsden McCormick CPAs. She specializes in audit and assurance services for commercial businesses and governmental entities, and is current treasurer of the WNY American Business Women’s Association.
Mary Eggert, ’22, is a travel trade coordinator with Break the Ice Media, a travel, tourism, and hospitality-focused marketing firm. She provides client support through writing and developing content, implementing strategies, and executing client project plans.
Peter Ozog, Ph.D.’22, was named an assistant professor of management in the Division of Business and Management at Keuka College, Keuka Park, N.Y. Peter will start this new role in the fall 2023 semester, supporting the undergraduate and graduate course offerings.
Marriages/ Anniversaries
Edward, ’74, and Ann (McFarland) Renica, ’73, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 13, 2023, surrounded by their three children, their spouses, and five grandchildren.
Anthony Baker, ’09, married Emily McElroy, ’11, MBA’12, on July 16, 2022.
Elizabeth Smith, ’15, married Brian Bir on Nov. 12, 2022.
Noah Barnard, ’19, married Deanna Catalano, ’19, on Oct. 15, 2022.
Births/Adoptions
Victoria Tiso, ’09, MBA’10, and Jason Malayny welcomed a son, Dawson Frederick Malayny, on Feb. 13, 2023.
Jason, ’11, and Hilary (Sharkey) Fischer, ’12, MBA’13, welcomed a daughter, Madelyn Fischer, on July 22, 2022.
Michelle (James) Price, ’12, and her husband, Kyle, welcomed a son, Cole James Price, on May 16, 2022.
Anthony, ’14, and Catherine (Trzaska) Tringali, ’14, welcomed a daughter, Josephine Rose Tringali, on Feb. 12, 2023.
Christopher, ’14, MBA’15, and Raechal (Mack) Wallak, ’15, welcomed a daughter, Amelia Arlene Wallak, on Nov. 23, 2022.
Anthony, ’09, and Emily (McElroy) Baker, ’11, MBA’12, with NU alumni Ashleigh (Bowers) Emery, ’12; Rob Contarin, ’09; Moe Lacroix, ’09; Eric Brodfuehrer, ’09; Ashley (Cottrell) Lacroix, ’12; Matt Agronin, ’09; Greg Hotaling, ’12; Courtney (Davies) Karl, ’11; Chelsea (Mandrino) Hotaling, ’12; Michelle Emery, ’10; Justine Sacco, ’08; Natalie Frost, ’08; Rob Chipman, ’09; Anne (Hennigan) Selover, ’79; Erin (Baker) Hanczyk, ’11; Chris Karl, ’09; Maryanne (Coleman) Ross, ’86; and Chris Ross, ’86.
CATCHING UP
In Memoriam
Richard V. Pawlewicz, ’45, passed away on Jan. 28, 2023. He spent his 39-year professional career serving veterans in various roles at the Veterans Administration in several states across the country.
Roy A. Lucier, ’50, passed away on March 2, 2023.
Mary (Guercio) Cosby, ’51, passed away on Feb. 15, 2023. She was a public health nurse for Niagara County, N.Y., for 25 years prior to her retirement.
Mildred (Keenan) O’Flahavan, ’51, passed away on March 1, 2023. She had a long career in public health nursing.
Nancy (Flynn) Comerford, ’52, passed away on March 7, 2023. She was a customer service representative at the New York Telephone Company and also worked at the family business, Flynn’s Shoe Store.
John M. Dailey, ’52, passed away on April 21, 2023. John spent most of his career as chief counsel for the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.
Frank A. Huffhines, ’52, passed away on Sept. 4, 2022. He had a career as a sales representative for Coats and Clark.
L. Edward Monaghan, ’52, passed away on Jan. 11, 2023. He practiced law in Canandaigua, N.Y., for more than 50 years.
Alice M. Sulik, ’52, passed away on April 10, 2023. She worked as a nurse before beginning a career in education as a teacher and vice principal at several schools.
Louise D’Anna Geracci, ’54, passed away on Feb. 25, 2023.
Anthony J. Rendina, ’54, passed away on Oct. 22, 2022. He owned and operated Princevalle Insurance Agency in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
David A. Delehanty, ’55, passed away on March 19, 2023. He worked for the New York State Department of Labor for 42 years before retiring in 1996.
Louis C. Ferretti, ’55, passed away on Feb. 22, 2023. He had a 38-year career in education working as a teacher, coach, department chairperson, school administrator, and adjunct professor.
Blase A. Nicolia Sr., ’55, passed away on Dec. 28, 2022. He was a longtime local businessman in Western N.Y. Our condolences to his sons, Blaise Nicolia Jr., ’81, and Michael Nicolia, ’85; to his daughters-in-law, Judith (Allen) Nicolia, ’83, and Amy (Coble) Nicolia, ’91; and to his granddaughter, Andrea Nicolia, ’14, M.S.Ed.’16.
Dr. Joseph T. Thornton, ’55, passed away on April 29, 2023. He practiced medicine for over 30 years at St. Joseph’s and Community hospitals in Syracuse, N.Y., serving as the obstetrics and gynecology department chairman at both. Our condolences to his daughters, Dr. Joan E. Thornton, ’80, and Patricia Thornton Burnham, ’81
Patrick M. Blanchfield, ’56, passed away on Nov. 18, 2022. He had been an accountant at Fiorita & Kornhaas in Danbury, Conn.
Carl E. Burke, ’56, passed away on June 5, 2022. He was assistant vice president for university affairs at Virginia Tech until his retirement in 1993.
Joan Rommel Meier, ’56, passed away on Jan. 23, 2023.
Joseph A. Rao, ’56, passed away on April 18, 2023. He worked for the family’s clothing store, Anthony Rao’s, in New Britain, Conn.
Thomas F. Caveny, ’57, passed away on Dec. 20, 2022. He had a 28-year career with Marsh McLennan Insurance Agency of Rochester, N.Y.
Hon. Robert W. Doyle, ’57, passed away on Dec. 1, 2022. He was elected as a State Supreme Court Justice in 1981 and served until 2010. After retiring from the bench, Robert served as a mediator and arbitrator until his retirement in 2017.
Erick F. Montoya, ’57, passed away on Dec. 15, 2022. He spent most of his career at both Hewlett-Packard and Spectra-Physics. Our condolences to his wife, Barbara (Amodeo) Montoya, ’61
Richard W. Pysz, ’57, passed away on Jan. 26, 2023.
Kathleen (Dooher) Doyle, ’58, passed away on Nov. 5, 2022.
Eugene J. Smolka, ’58, passed away on Dec. 6, 2022. He was a retired partner of the former Jaeckle Fleischmann and Mugel Law Firm in Buffalo, N.Y. Our condolences to his sons, Christopher Smolka, ’82, and James Smolka, ’85, MBA’90; and to his daughter, Elaine (Smolka) Duquette, ’88
Josephine Disparti, ’59, passed away on Jan. 13, 2023. She was a retired public health nurse, a professor at Columbia University and the City University of New York-City College, and a longtime advocate for universal health care. Her endeavors were cited in the book, “The Good Doctors: The Medical Committee for Human Rights and the Struggle for Social Justice in Health Care,” and the documentary film “Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution.”
Thomas A. Luce, ’59, passed away on Nov. 10, 2022.
Eugene Pacia, ’59, M.S.Ed.’64, passed away on Feb. 6, 2023. He was a math teacher in the Lewiston-Porter Central School District for 26 years.
William Parsons, ’59, passed away on Dec. 6, 2022. Our condolences to his daughter, Amy (Parsons) Cassidy, ’94, M.S.Ed.’97; and to his son-in-law, John Cassidy, ’94
Charles W. Edgette, ’60, passed away on Nov. 11, 2022. He was a counterintelligence officer in the U.S. Army for 20 years, then worked in various fields, culminating his career as a college professor.
Mary Jane (Dudek) Pyc, ’60, passed away on Oct. 23, 2022. Our condolences to her son, Thomas Pyc, ’98
Benedict A. Salamone, ’60, passed away on Dec. 30, 2022. He taught for 41 years in the Bloomfield, N.J., educational system.
Dr. Rosemary (Giambattista) Agonito, M.A.’61, passed away on Jan. 30, 2023. She was a college professor at Colgate University and Eisenhower College of RIT, founder and owner of New Futures Enterprises, and a writer. Our condolences to her husband, Dr. Joseph Agonito, M.A.’61.
Eugene J. Asklar, ’61, M.S.Ed.’66, passed away on Nov. 5, 2022. He was an English teacher with the Niagara Falls Board of Education for over 32 years, retiring in 1992. Our condolences to his son, John Asklar, ’85, M.S.Ed.’95; to his daughter, Susan (Asklar) Bilquin, ’90; to his daughters-in-law, Christina (Dupree) Asklar, M.S.Ed.’97, and Kelli (Wojcik) Asklar, M.S.Ed.’00, assistant dean of the Holzschuh College of Business Administration; and to his granddaughter, Jillian Asklar, ’23
Thomas P. Batt, ’61, passed away on Jan. 8, 2023. He was a CPA and a retired Niagara County Community College professor.
Robert W. Herndon, ’61, passed away on Nov. 10, 2022. He was a retired director of trading and marketing services with NASDAQ.
Joseph A. Murrer, ’61, passed away on Feb. 15, 2023.
David H. Gill Jr., M.S.’62, passed away on Feb. 5, 2023. He had a long career with the Celanese Corporation in offices in Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
William J. Murphy Jr. ’63, M.S.Ed.’70, passed away on Nov. 19, 2022. He had a 30year career with Procter and Gamble.
Rev. Thomas J. Tucker, OSFS, ’63, passed away on Feb. 7, 2023. A professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, he was a former faculty member of Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, Pa., and Salesianum School in Wilmington, Dela., and superior of the Salesianum Oblate Community.
Garrett T. Cantwell, ’64, passed away on April 19, 2023. He began his career on Wall Street and spent the vast majority in financial services.
Robert F. Carson, M.S.Ed.’64, passed away on Jan. 14, 2023. He spent much of his life teaching physical education in Baltimore County, Md.
David J. DiCamillo, ’64, passed away on Feb. 23, 2023. After a successful career at Mobil Oil Company, David joined with his father, uncles, and brother in DiCamillo Bakery in Niagara Falls. Our condolences to his wife, Monica (Kadykowski) DiCamillo, ’63; to his brother, Francis DiCamillo Jr., ’67; to his sister-in-law,
Judith Niles DiCamillo, M.S.Ed.’96; to his son-in-law, Phillip Alterio, ’91; and to his nephew, Daniel DiCamillo, ’03, M.S.Ed.’05.
Patrick J. Kennedy, ’64, passed away on April 8, 2023. He taught elementary math and reading in the Barker, N.Y., school district for 34 years.
Dr. Patrick J. O’Connor, M.S.’64, passed away on Jan. 20, 2023. He taught high school English for 40 years in the Worcester, Mass., public school system, and then went on to become an assistant professor in the Department of Education at Worcester State College, where he taught until he retired.
Peter S. Palewski, ’64, passed away on April 4, 2023.
Dr. Daniel C. Tompkins, ’64, passed away on March 29, 2023. He retired from a long career in manufacturing in 2005.
George E. Drmacich, ’65, passed away on April 24, 2023. George taught physical education at Cardinal O’Hara High School and North Tonawanda, N.Y., public schools, and was a founder of the Twin City Geminis semi-pro football team. Our condolences to his daughter, Marybeth (Drmacich) Romo, ’84
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CATCHING UP
Thomas E. Lenney, ’65, passed away on Feb. 19, 2023. He practiced law for 41 years as both a trial attorney and litigator.
Peter L. Lynch, M.A.’65, passed away on Nov. 7, 2022. His career in education included positions at Douglas High School in Douglas, Mass., in the Grafton School System, and at Blackstone Valley Regional Technical High School. He also served as dean of men at Niagara University.
Donald P. Hamm, ’66, passed away on Jan. 19, 2023. Donald retired as president of Port Newark Container Terminal in New Jersey.
Timothy F. Leonetti, ’66, M.S.Ed.’73, passed away on Dec. 22, 2022. He was a math teacher with the Lewiston Porter, N.Y., school district until his retirement in 2002, and also served as a coach for the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams.
Harrison A. Waterbury, ’66, passed away on Jan. 13, 2023. He worked for many years as the accounting supervisor at the Dupont Plant in Newtown, Conn., and at Newtown Savings Bank.
Rev. Thomas J. McGee, OSFS, ’67, passed away on Feb. 27, 2023. He had a ministry in education before serving as pastor and pastoral vicar at parishes in North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.
Maureen (Maehr) Penna, ’67, passed away on Dec. 16, 2022. She was a nurse at Albert Einstein and Astoria General hospitals for many years, and later served as a volunteer for Hospice in Hampton Bays, N.Y.
Richard E. Belmont, ’68, passed away on Oct. 6, 2022. He had a lifelong career in sales and marketing.
Rev. James M. Fanrak, OSFS, ’68, passed away on Oct. 28, 2022. He served in a number of pastorates in the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark.
John A. Hamilton, ’68, M.A.’73, passed away on Jan. 20, 2023. He was professor emeritus of economics at Suffolk Community College and founding director, treasurer, and chief financial officer of the philanthropic Suffolk Community College Foundation. Our condolences to his brother, Peter Hamilton, ’70
Paul E. Roberti, ’69, passed away on Jan.18, 2023.
Stephen Ryan, ’69, passed away on Nov. 26, 2022. He was an award-winning and commission artist in several mediums, with a 32-year career in advertising and art, and was an adjunct professor at SUNY Onondaga Community College for 18 years before retiring.
Our condolences to Maria (de Rosa) Wolcott, ’69, on the death of her husband; to Sarah (Wolcott) Nelson, ’00, and Heather (Wolcott) Hoffman, ’07, M.S.Ed.’11, on the death of their father; to Maj. Robert Boehman, ’70, Linda (de Rosa) Boehman, ’71, Sarah (de Rosa) Fortier, ’83, and the Very Rev. Francis de Rosa VF, ’88, on the death of their brother-in-law; and to Ethan de Rosa, ’19, on the death of his uncle, Bill Wolcott, who passed away on Sept. 11, 2022. Bill was an adjunct professor at Niagara University and moderator for the NU student newspaper, the Niagara Index.
John J. Donahue, ’70, passed away on Feb. 14, 2023. He worked for Carpenter Technology for 32 years until his retirement in 2011.
Margaret M. Sheahan, ’70, passed away on April 1, 2023. She held nursing positions including head nurse, school nurse, and public health nurse. She was a key part of the clinical team and signatory to the clinical dossier that developed the very first monoclonal antibody used therapeutically to treat disease with subsequent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Sema (Tarpinian) Shepard, ’70, M.A.’72, passed away on Feb. 27, 2023. She was the first NU campus postmistress.
Ray R. Sickels Jr., ’70, passed away on Dec. 11, 2022.
Sister Colette Rhoney, M.S.Ed.’71, passed away on March 6, 2023. Her ministries included education and spiritual direction in assignments in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Rome, Italy.
John F. Stocki III, ’71, M.S.Ed.’83, passed away on April 7, 2023. He founded and operated Beaver Valley Vineyards and Smithbridge Cellars in Chadds Ford, Penn.
H. James Walker, M.S.Ed.’71, passed away on Dec. 4, 2022. He had a 33-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Lewiston-Porter Central School District.
Dennis John Goc, ’72, passed away on Jan. 21, 2023.
Robert J. Krzys, ’72, passed away on Feb. 12, 2023. He practiced law in Amsterdam, N.Y., for 46 years.
Carl M. Steinvall, ’72, M.S.’88, passed away on Nov. 19, 2022. He was a psychologist for Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center.
Michael C. Walsh, ’72, M.A.’74, passed away on Dec. 23, 2022. He was a member of the New York Bar and a practicing attorney for many years. Our condolences to his brothers, Charles Walsh Jr., ’66, and John Walsh, ’72; to his sister-in-law, Eileen R. Walsh, ’94; to his niece, Brenna Walsh, ’09; and to his nephew, Eric Walsh, ’10.
Roger C. Weiss, ’72, passed away on April 15, 2023. He had a 40-year career at Joy Mfg (Cameron) and co-hosted Inside High School Sports on WGR Radio for 15 years.
R. Cameron Adamson, ’73, passed away on Dec. 22, 2022. He worked at Galaxie Industries until his retirement.
Our condolences to Linda (Perna) Ball, ’76, on the death of her sister; and to Elizabeth Perna, ’13, on the death of her aunt, MaryJo Perna, who passed away on Oct. 27, 2022.
Our condolences to Arthur “Bud” Crumlish, ’76, on the death of his son, Brendan Crumlish, who passed away on Jan. 16, 2023.
Patricia (Chewey) Maselli, ’76, passed away on March 3, 2023. She had a long career in public health, working as director of nursing and eventually director at multiple nursing home facilities across the state of New Jersey. She consulted in the nursing informatics field before her retirement.
James L. Luff, ’77, passed away on March 15, 2023. He was the owner operator of his family farm, Luff Greenhouses, from 1980 until its closing.
Jeffrey J. Pignataro, ’77, passed away on Jan. 30, 2023. Jeff had a long IT career until he retired in 2021.
Roy P. Beekman, ’78, passed away on May 3, 2023. He was a basketball coach at Hostos, York, and Nassau community colleges.
Lawrence D. Diamond, ’78, passed away on April 22, 2023. He worked as an accountant and for the past several years he was involved with Niagara County Community Missions.
Gary A. Nacca, ’78, passed away on Nov. 17, 2022. He worked as a self-employed CPA for over 40 years.
Stephen Diverio, ’79, passed away on Feb. 28, 2023. He had a 30-year career with Kellogg’s, advancing to the position of director of supply chain network planning. Our condolences to his wife, Rosemary (Knaak) Diverio, ’79
Charles G. Kane, ’79, passed away on Dec. 9, 2022. Our condolences to his brother, Ronald Kane, ’81, and to his sister, Diane Kane, MBA’92.
Sr. Mary L. Sokira, ’79, passed away on Nov. 23, 2022.
Joseph A. Conte, ’80, passed away on Dec. 14, 2022. He was most recently employed by Kingston Nissan and Nissan of Paris.
H. Lenore Ellsworth, M.A.’81, passed away on Nov. 4, 2022. She taught kindergarten at Dewitt Carter Public School in Port Colborne, Ontario, before retiring.
John C. Frosolone, ’81, passed away on Nov. 20, 2022. He was a CPA in the firm he founded, Simpson, Kling, Quarantillo & Frosolone, CPAs.
Bryce A. Milleville, ’81, passed away on March 7, 2023. He worked in the chemical industry for more than 35 years. Our condolences to his wife, Maryann (Dober) Milleville, ’82; to his sister, Kelly (Milleville) Braham, ’86; and to his brother-in-law, Robert Braham, ’96.
Jon P. Edmondson, ’82, passed away on Dec. 7, 2022. He was an educator with the Durham, Ontario, district school board for 35 years as a teacher, vice principal, and principal.
Susan C. Mahoney, ’83, passed away on Jan. 9, 2023. She had a long career in nursing, culminating with the position of chief nursing officer at Duke-Lifepoint’s Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, N.C.
Lt. Col. Richard P. Seeger, ’83, passed away on Aug. 3, 2022. He was retired from the United States Army and from the New York State Department of Corrections.
William P. Stankiewicz, M.S.Ed.’83, passed away on May 12, 2023. He was a teacher and head of the occupational department at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ont., and later, at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge, Ont.
Michael A. Cameron, ’85, passed away on Dec. 30, 2022. He worked as a North American controller at Minteq International Inc.
Joseph A. Dutton III, ’86, passed away on May 4, 2023. Our condolences to his wife, Annette (Pytlik) Dutton, ’86; and to his daughter, Emma (Dutton) Blackham, ’17
Paul T. McMahon, ’86, ’94, passed away on Feb. 21, 2023. He was an environmental chemist and project manager for GHD/Conestoga Rovers and Associates for nearly 30 years. Our condolences to his daughter, Brittany (McMahon) DePietro, ’10, M.S.Ed.’12.
John Edward Akiwande Wright, ’88, passed
away on Jan. 17, 2023. He founded The Wright Group NY, one of the first Black-owned government relations firms in New York City.
David J. DeFelice, ’90, passed away on April 11, 2023. He worked in hospitality for many years in the Buffalo area, managing fast food chains. Our condolences to his father, Gary DeFelice, ’67; and to his mother, Louise DeFelice, M.A.’73.
Our condolences to Judith Kennedy, ’90, on the death of her mother, Anne Kennedy, on Dec. 13, 2022.
Allan J. Leo, M.S.Ed.’90, passed away on March 10, 2023. He was a fourth grade teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District.
David T. Sharpe, ’93, passed away on Nov. 11, 2022. He was a self-employed financial advisor. Our condolences to his daughter, Julia Sharpe, ’23
Dale R. Smeal, ’95, passed away on Nov. 30, 2022. He was a systems analyst at Occidental Chemical until his retirement in 2004 and also had an 18-year career in real estate. Our condolences to his wife, Roberta (Evans) Smeal, ’95
Marilyn Allison, Ph.D.’16, passed away on Feb. 13, 2023.
Philip J. Marks, ’21, passed away on Nov. 25, 2022.
NU Friends Past and Present
Friends from Niagara University’s Class of 1975 at their 10-year NU reunion and in Orlando, Fla., in April 2023.
Past, from l-r: Cindy Pettingill Graf, Jane Bigg Ambler, Pat DeGrechie Quinn, and Deb Smith McGeehan. Present, from l-r: Cindy, Pat, Jane, and Deb.
Office of Institutional Advancement
11 Vincentian Drive
P.O. Box 2008
Niagara University, N.Y. 14109
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Nonprofit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Niagara University, N.Y. Permit No.1
TOUR TO ITALY
MARCH 8–16, 2024
Join us on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore Rome, Florence, and the Tuscan countryside with exclusive access to ancient sites and gastronomical wonders. SAVE THE DATE for Alumni Weekend 2024!
Mark your calendars for next year’s Alumni Weekend! W
Join your classmates back on campus to relive your NU memories and make new ones June 7–9, 2024. W
We will honor our alumni who graduated in class years ending in 4’s and 9’s, but all alumni are welcome back to join the fun!
You’ll visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel; the Bocca della Verita; the Pantheon; the Trevi Fountain; Santa Maria Sopra Minerva; the Colosseum; the Roman Forum; the Galleria Borghese; the unique Roman neighborhood Trastevere; Castel Gandolfo, which is world-famous for the Papal Summer Residence; the Duomo; the Academia Museum; Assisi; and a local vineyard.
$5,250 per person based on double occupancy, $900 additional supplement for single room
Visit https://www.miracolotours.com/niagarauniversity for more information and to reserve your spot. Use password purple to access site.
