Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall was a sea of Peacock blue on March 16, when Saint Peter’s defeated Fairfield University and the men’s basketball team claimed the 2024 MAAC championship. Immediately after Saint Peter’s sealed its 68-63 victory, forward Michael Hogue ’25 celebrated with Peacock Nation. Story and photos about the MAAC championship (Saint’s Peter’s second in three years) and NCAA tournament appear on page 24.
If you ask a Peacock what Saint Peter’s University is like, the oft-cited response from students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators is, “It’s like family” or “My second home.” That’s been the case for me as well, having spent 43 incredibly rewarding years at the University.
I was a very green adjunct lecturer when I arrived at the Jersey City campus in 1981, yet with the care and friendship tendered to me, I began to put down roots at Saint Peter’s. As a novice professor, I discovered what worked in the classroom and what didn’t. Inspired and energized by our Jesuit mission to transform students’ lives, I became a better listener, planner and leader. As president for the past 17 years, it’s been an amazing privilege to witness the faith, love and generosity our community showered upon Saint Peter’s that allowed us to set and achieve ambitious goals.
We’re certainly a stronger and better institution in 2024 after three strategic plans, two capital campaigns that raised more than $150 million combined, expanded academic programs, a transformed campus and reaffirmation of our Jesuit and Catholic identity. We’ve weathered adversity, responded to the needs of the students we serve and raised the visibility and reputation of this University.
I may have held the bully pulpit to promote the Saint Peter’s mission and vision, but the many successes we’ve accrued over the years are due to the talent and commitment of many,
many people. The students who inspire us with their persistence and ambition. Dedicated faculty, staff and administrators who take an idea and turn it into a sustained opportunity. The Jesuit community that guides us to seek God in all things. Loyal alumni and donors who believe in the possibilities of this place and gift us their time and treasure.
“Now you are director of the work,” Rev. Edward Heavey, S.J., of blessed memory told me when I became president of Saint Peter’s in 2007. The term implies the immense responsibility one assumes in serving and leading a Jesuit institution. I would not have been able to do this job, nor do it for so long, without the love
“I may have held the bully pulpit to promote the Saint Peter’s mission and vision, but the many successes we’ve accrued over the years are due to the talent and commitment of many, many people.“
and support of my remarkable wife, AnnMarie; my wonderful daughters, Lauren and Katherine; my sons-in-law, Collis and Andrew and grandchildren Ava, Zachary and Maximilian. Family encouraged me, bolstered my spirits when circumstances warranted it and kept me grounded when my ego needed checking.
I’m still a proud Peacock and will forever be. Of this I’m certain: An even bigger and brighter future is in store for Saint Peter’s University because of the caliber of people so invested in the institution’s continued success. I can’t wait to see what this community accomplishes next.
With gratitude,
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. President
ADMINISTRATION
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.
President
Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78
Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning
Frederick Bonato, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Paul Ciraulo
Vice President for Finance and Business
Rev. Andrew Downing, S.J.
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Jeffrey
Leah Leto, M.Ed. ’05
Vice
Sarah
Erin
HOW TO REACH US
Alumni News & Notes
Email: alumni@saintpeters.edu
Office of Alumni Engagement
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306
Letter to the Editor
Email: smalinowski@saintpeters.edu
Editor, Saint Peter’s University
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 Telephone: (201) 761-6239
Mission Statement:
Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
On the Cover:
The Saint Peter’s University community celebrated President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., in the final year of his presidency. Gene Cornacchia Bobblehead Night on February 16 was one of many events held to honor and say thanks to the University’s 22nd president.
Contributors
Liliana Huerta Murcia, M.B.A. ’23
Claudia Pope-Bayne, Ed.D. ’16, ’22
Photography
Michael Marmora
Saint Peter’s Athletics
Stockton Photo, Inc.
Chris Taggart
Jena Williams
Saint Peter’s University extended a warm welcome to Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D., when the incoming president visited the Jersey City campus on April 24 and 25. Dr. Benitez, who was appointed the University’s 23rd president following an extensive national search and unanimous selection by the Board of Trustees, starts the job on July 1. Here are five things to know about Saint Peter’s next president:
1. Formative years were spent in Colombia and the United States. Born in Colombia, Dr. Benitez spent his elementary school years in Pascagoula, Miss., after his father completed his college education in the United States and later pursued his career with International Paper Company. “My father was an immigrant to the United States, a first-generation college student and adult learner seeking a better future for him and later for our family,” said Dr. Benitez. His father’s work later brought the family back to Colombia, where Dr. Benitez attended high school and earned his first doctoral degree. Today, Dr. Benitez recognizes that the challenges to and through higher education remain the same for many students, especially those who are first-generation or who come from underrepresented, marginalized and immigrant student bodies. “I have no doubt that the University is well positioned to bridge those obstacles,” he stated. “It’s why I believe the opportunities at Saint Peter’s are truly endless, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
2. Jesuit values are central to Dr. Benitez’s life and vocation. As a practicing Catholic, the 23rd president defines himself as a person of faith. He completed his first doctoral degree in dentistry from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a Jesuit institution of higher learning in Bogotá, Colombia. At Saint Louis University, he earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration and worked as an administrator at several colleges and universities before serving in senior leadership posts at Rockhurst University. “Coming to Saint Peter’s, I truly feel I’m returning home because the Jesuit mission and values are aligned to who I am as a person,” said Dr. Benitez, who recently held the post of president at American International College in Springfield, Mass. “Providing opportunities to the communities that Saint Peter’s serves is very personal to me, and it’s
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not solely because I come from a Latino background and the University is a Hispanic Serving Institution. I want to be part of an institution that offers transformative experiences, promotes access to education, and where students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds have an opportunity to grow and flourish.”
3. Mentorship changed the course of his career. Dr. Benitez practiced dentistry for approximately 14 years, with an eye on returning to higher education to make a bigger difference. While pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut, he met his post-doc mentor, Edward Rossomando, D.D.S., Ph.D., “who changed my life completely. He saw in me skills I didn’t know I had.” With his mentor’s guidance, Dr. Benitez was able to assume greater leadership roles, from becoming a faculty member, a director, dean and provost and later overseeing strategic initiatives and academic innovation at Rockhurst University and the presidency at American International College. “I believe I owe [Dr. Rossomando] many of my achievements in higher education because his mentorship and guidance guided me through this path. This is why I believe in the value of mentorship.”
4. First 100 days of the presidency will center on listening and learning. “I come with an understanding of Jesuit Catholic
education and an understanding of the challenges of the presidency of an institution of higher learning,” said Dr. Benitez. “What I don’t have yet, is an understanding of the working dynamics of Saint Peter’s and the individual needs of students, faculty and staff. You don’t learn about this by reading; you learn by truly listening.” Because communication and collaboration are very important to him, the first 100 days of the Benitez presidency will be dedicated to meeting with the University’s internal and external constituencies to hear and understand people’s perceptions and expectations of Saint Peter’s. “I want to learn about the hopes, desires and aspirations of the community from a personal and professional standpoint,” he added. “When people start asking me about my vision for Saint Peter’s, I will promptly respond that we’re going to collectively build a vision. The future of Saint Peter’s is not about me, it will be what we collectively want the University to be.”
5. Thumbs up for Jersey City. Dr. Benitez has been married for 35 years to his wife, Sandra, an architect. They have two adult children, Ana Ximena, and Daniel. The couple look forward to living in Jersey City. “We truly want to become members of the community,” said Dr. Benitez. “If you make a new place home, transitions are always easier. We’re looking forward to it.”
The next issue of Saint Peter’s University magazine will feature an in-depth look at Dr. Benitez.
Strut up, Peacocks! According to the most recent NCAA Graduation Success Rate report, eight athletic programs at Saint Peter’s University achieved a perfect GSR of 100 percent. The outstanding eight are men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s swimming, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s swimming, softball and volleyball. The University’s overall GSR for student-athletes is 93 percent, two points above the Division I national average.
Data for the report, released in December 2023, was compiled from graduation statistics of student-athletes who entered college in 2016, the most recent class for which the required six years of information is available. It also breaks down the GSR by sport, using a four-year class average (2013-2016) called a cohort rate to provide a big-enough sample. The eight Peacock teams cited for the 100 percent GSR are in the 20132016 cohort.
The GSR differs from the federal graduation rate in that it includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere and removes the number who leave school while academically eligible. Proponents of the GSR say it provides a more complete and accurate look at student-athlete academic success.
The largest Peacock class in recent history—1,286 graduates—crossed the PNC Bank Arts Center stage to receive a Saint Peter’s University degree at the 133rd commencement exercises on May 17. The University conferred 482 bachelor’s degrees, 762 master’s degrees and 42 doctoral degrees to graduating students.
Student speakers Jheannelle Shameela Witter ’24 (representing undergraduates) and Tonya Elisha Mele ’24 (representing graduate students) voiced messages of hope in their remarks to classmates. “I want you to know that potential is embedded in you,” said Witter, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. “And it can only be unlocked by you. So go out, take hold of now. Maintain resilience, envision your future, be adaptable, celebrate diversity and always stand for justice.”
Mele spoke about returning to school in her fifties to complete a master’s degree in educational leadership from the Caulfield School of Education. “Let us not forget that the pursuit of dreams knows no age limit,” she said. “I stand here today as living proof that there is always time to chase your aspirations, regardless of societal expectations.”
Commencement speaker Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., who retired at the end of the academic year, saluted graduates for their commitment and optimism. “In you, I see a bright future for our world, the undaunted hope of what can be achieved and the genuine care you will inspire in everyone you encounter now and in the future.” In honor of this momentous occasion, Dr. Cornacchia was awarded a degree of doctor of humane letters, honoris causa. Also attending the ceremony were members of the Class of 1974, honored for the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Saint Peter’s.
Since the Petrean Medal was established at Saint Peter’s University in 1962, it has been bestowed by the institution’s president to only 26 individuals. At a ceremony on April 3, President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., presented medals to the 27th and 28th recipients: Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D., H ’17, special assistant to the president, professor of mathematics and chair of the Sustainability Council; and Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78, special assistant to the president for institutional planning.
“It is, in essence, a lifetime achievement award,” said Dr. Cornacchia, who highlighted the decades of service and leadership Drs. Poiani and Bender extended to the University. Long considered “the first lady of Saint Peter’s,” Dr. Poiani achieved many “firsts” in her 55 years at Saint Peter’s that forged a path for other women. She was the first female professor in the mathematics department and the first woman appointed to a vice presidency. “Her intelligence and acumen have contributed to critical deci-
sions related to strategic planning, programs and partnerships, student life, accreditation, institutional research and so much more,” said Dr. Cornacchia. “Eileen is the embodiment of cura personalis to everyone she ever encounters. Her personal care extends to critical social issues as an advocate for education, public service and diversity.”
Beyond Saint Peter’s, Dr. Poiani was the founding national director of Women in Mathematics, chaired the U.S. Commission on Mathematical Instruction of the National Research Council and was elected the first female president of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honorary mathematics society.
In a tribute to Dr. Bender, Dr. Cornacchia emphasized the trust and confidence the campus community has shown in the longtime administrator. “Let’s be honest,” he said, “no one wants to know what Gene thinks. They just want to run it by Ginny.” After graduating from Saint Peter’s, Dr. Bender served in several admissions roles, oversaw the study abroad program and eventually became associate vice president for enrollment. In 2007, she joined the President’s Cabinet in her current position, where she led the charge on strategic planning, attaining university status and the expansion of the federal grants initiative that garnered $25 million in support. “It was [Ginny’s] leadership that led us to developing a strategy to cracking the top 100 in our U.S. News & World Report rankings,” Dr. Cornacchia disclosed, adding, “You would never hear it from Ginny herself. Despite her own brilliance, she remains humble and recognizes the importance of teamwork and achieving success.”
Congratulations to Dr. Poiani and Dr. Bender on this well-deserved honor!
The Data Science Institute unveiled The James J. Loughlin ’64 Data Science Lab on March 11. The facility is designed to meet the needs of a growing data science program that now enrolls more than 1,000 students. Equipped with high-powered workstations,
computational clusters and other resources for students and researchers to harness big data, the laboratory is located on the ground floor of Dinneen Hall, inside the Frank J. Guarini School of Business.
James J. Loughlin ’64 and his wife, Dottie Loughlin, donated $1 million to Peacocks Rise: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s University to establish the high-performance laboratory. The University’s data science program was recently featured in Inside Higher Ed, where Executive Vice President and Provost Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., explained its appeal. “There are a lot of jobs—and very well-compensated jobs—but it also cuts across different industry sectors,” he explained. “You could be a data scientist and specialize in higher ed, or transportation or commerce. That’s attractive because you can get the degree, but also follow what you’re particularly interested in.”
Most Americans know Steve Kornacki through his riveting analysis on election night, manning the “Big Board” at MSNBC. The Saint Peter’s University community gained firsthand insights from the NBC News/MSNBC national political correspondent when Kornacki spoke to a packed Duncan Family Sky Room about the 2024 presidential election on February 7.
The event was organized by the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership. Executive Director Ginger Gold Schnitzer, J.D., said its purpose was to get the campus community engaged in the November election. “Steve Kornacki’s enthusiasm is infectious, and he has a talent for breaking down complexities of our political landscape,” she noted.
Kornacki got his start in journalism at PoliticsNJ.com, and his affinity for New Jersey remains strong. When he reported on the Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 2022 for TODAY, he proudly wore a Saint Peter’s hoodie on air. “Before everyone was into Saint Peter’s, I was going to Saint Peter’s games,” he shared. The University gifted Kornacki an Elite Eight basketball, a new Peacocks hoodie and an open invitation to return to campus anytime.
The Sky Room filled to capacity again when the Guarini Institute hosted, “A Conversation with Lt. Gov. Tahesha L. Way, Esq.,” on April 10. The conversation with Way, who was appointed lieutenant governor in 2023, was moderated by President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.
Way reflected on her path to state government and offered career advice to students who aspire to work in public service. “The event was inspirational,” observed Gold Schnitzer. “Saint Peter’s students were excited to see themselves represented by a lieutenant governor.”
“Saint
Peter’s students were excited to see themselves represented by a lieutenant governor.”
In addition to serving as lieutenant governor, Way continues to hold the position of secretary of state, a role she assumed in 2018. Way directs a diverse portfolio that includes the state Division of Elections, New Jersey’s Complete Count Commission for the U.S. Census and government offices supporting New Jersey’s arts, culture, history and business communities.
Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Leah Leto, M.Ed. ’05, was named to the 2024 ROI-NJ Influencers: Women in Business list in March. The annual list is designed to showcase female leadership throughout New Jersey. The ROI-NJ profile of Leto described the vice president as a “longtime Peacock” who is instrumental in Saint Peter’s record-breaking fundraising efforts. Leto led Peacocks Rise: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s University, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s 150-plus year history.
Leto has served as vice president for advancement and external affairs since 2015. She began her career at Saint Peter’s in 2002 as an alumni relations officer and, prior to assuming the vice presidency, served myriad roles within the Office of Advancement. In her current role, Leto oversees all fundraising and operational functions of advancement and alumni and donor engagement.
Assistant Professor of Business Administration Samar Issa, Ph.D., examined the causes of the 2008 global financial crisis, research that became the basis of a model for calculating optimal corporate debt levels to ensure greater economic stability. The 2022 paper, “Optimal corporate leverage and speculative cycles: An empirical estimation,” co-authored with Aleksandr V. Gevorkyan, Ph.D., analyzed the financial metrics of 89 corporations across six leading industries, including technology, finance, pharmaceutical, auto, airline and energy. Dr. Issa invested two years into preparing the paper, which reviewed two decades worth of data since 2000.
The research was quickly noticed by the wider business community. First published in Structural Change in Economic Dynamics, the paper was included in the 22nd annual volume of Publications of New Jersey Business Faculty, a periodical produced by the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. A total of 114 papers were submitted to the publication, and Dr. Issa’s was one of 10 manuscripts selected to receive the Bright Idea Award, which recognizes intellectual contributions that have the greatest impact on business practice and/or advance knowledge in the discipline.
Assistant Professor of History John W. Johnson Jr., Ph.D., presented the eighth annual Philip Roth Lecture at the Newark Public Library on November 2, 2023. Dr. Johnson’s address, “History, Memory and the Weequahic Neighborhood of Newark,” offered a scholarly and empathic meditation on the entangled physical histories of Jewish and African American populations that called the Weequahic section of Newark home.
The annual lecture series was established with an endowment from the late author Philip Roth. Dr. Johnson joined an illustrious group of Philip Roth Lecture alumni that includes writers and authors Robert Caro, Sir Salman Rushdie, Zadie Smith and Nikole Hannah-Jones. Dr. Johnson recently published, “In the Way of Progress: How a Federal Highway and Political Fragmentation Blighted Neighborhoods in the Weequahic Section of Newark” in the summer 2023 issue of New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal.
Short Story Today, a podcast dedicated to short stories and the authors who write them, featured Lecturer of English Stephen Cicirelli, M.F.A., in an October 2023 episode. Podcast host Jon DiSavino interviewed Professor Cicirelli, whose work has appeared in Ponder, Okay Donkey, 100 Word Story and other literary
publications. DiSavino also read “Quitting,” a story by Professor Cicirelli about an experiment in free will that goes awry. The podcast episode can be found on shortstorytoday.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
A roundup of the latest published research and conference presentations by faculty in the Caufield School of Education, School of Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences.
Caulfield School of Education Faculty shared expertise on how to leverage technology to enhance teaching, learning and student performance at three professional conferences last fall. Associate Professor of Education Michael Finetti, Ed.D., and Professor of Education Nicole Luongo, Ed.D., presented “Differentiating Instruction: Using Interactive Whiteboards in Higher Education” at the 2023 Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference in October. Later that month, the professors led a session on how to effectively use instructional technology in college classrooms at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. The conference brings leading thinkers and practitioners in higher education technology together to network, share ideas and discover solutions that improve instructional technology.
New Jersey public school teachers gained insights and actionable strategies on student assessment from Chair of Health & Physical Education and Exercise Science Jay Garrels, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education James Clayton,
Ed.D. ’71, and Dr. Finetti at the New Jersey Education Association Convention in November 2023. The professors facilitated an immersive workshop for high school educators on an array of assessment techniques, spanning from the traditional to cuttingedge, web-based applications. The handson exposure to comprehensive strategies was followed by in-depth discussion on how educators could incorporate the practices into their own classrooms.
“The Emergence Theory,” an article by Valera Hascup, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, was featured in the September 2023 issue of New Jersey Nurse. The publication is produced by the New Jersey State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing.
Dr. Hascup presented “Cultural Expressions, Meanings, Beliefs and Practices of Mexican American Women During the Postpartum Period: An Ethnonursing Study” at the fourth Global Conference on Nursing Education, Science and Research in October 2023. Dr. Hascup also spoke at the fifth Global Virtual Summit on Nursing Education in October. The professor’s topic, “Transcultural Nursing: Caring for Diverse Cultures, Important Principles and Key Points,” was based on her education in transcultural nursing and research on vulnerable populations.
College of Arts and Sciences
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
WeiDong Zhu, Ph.D., contributed a chapter to The Rise of Chinese
Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps, published by Springer. Dr. Zhu details the people and key moments that influenced his journey from firstgeneration college student in China to dean at Saint Peter’s today. The book is available online and in print.
Gratitude can lead to better health, according to Stephanie Bryan, Ph.D., adjunct professor of health sciences and health & physical education, and Maryellen Hamilton, Ph.D., professor and chair of psychology. The professors collaborated on the article “An Overview of Gratitude as a Mind-Body-Spirit Practice in Optimizing Health and Human Functioning” published in the January 2024 issue of OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine.
The paper examines gratitude as a concept and as a mind-body-spirit practice, impacting health and human functioning throughout the lifespan, that can be integrated into daily life to great benefit at no cost. The co-authors explore how the practice of expressing appreciation and the promotion of gratitude from childhood through adulthood may provide much-needed, accessible reinforcement toward optimal health and well-being.
Beth Adubato, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, co-authored “A Tale of Two Prisons: Using Cross-National Research to Navigate the Issue of a CrossAtlantic Study” for Sage Research Methods Case Series.
“Using Sociological Discourse Analysis to Measure Male Celebrity Criminal Behavior Fatigue,” a second article co-authored by Dr. Adubato, also appeared in the January publication.
James R. Adler, M.A., adjunct lecturer in the Department of Arts, has been selected as a Global Music Awards silver medal winner in the composer category for his new album, That Star in the Picture! Music magazine textura also named the album to its 2023 Top 20 Classical vocal recording list. The recording is available on all streaming platforms and from Albany Records.
The Outstanding Filipino Award gala, held on October 18, 2023, contained a surprise for emcee Ernabel Demillo, M.S., lecturer and chair of the Department of Communication and Media Culture.
Unbeknownst to Professor Demillo, TOFA presented the Emmy-winning broadcaster with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her longtime commitment to volunteerism and service. Presenters included Leni Robredo, former vice president of the Philippines; Elton Lugay, founder of TOFA; and Brendan Flores, chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.
Kimberly Reeve, Ph.D., KPMG Dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business
Preparing students to “lead well and do well in all things” is of paramount importance to Kimberly Reeve, Ph.D., the new KPMG dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business. As she finishes up a very busy first year as dean, Dr. Reeve reflects on priorities, progress and the University’s vision for the Guarini School of Business.
What drew you to Saint Peter’s University?
My husband and I are committed to living in and serving the city, and I was looking for an opportunity in an urban environment. I love that Saint Peter’s is smack dab in the middle of Jersey City. My great-great-grandparents lived two blocks away from campus and the church I attended is three blocks away, so coming here was a homecoming in many ways.
The fact that Saint Peter’s is a Jesuit university also drew me in. I chose a Catholic institution for my M.B.A. program because of its focus on ethics and business. Since then, I’ve always looked to integrate Gospel values into the business world. That’s something I did in the corporate world, and now I get to do it on the academic side. I’m excited to be here, standing on the shoulders of others before me who’ve done incredible work.
What were your chief priorities for the Guarini School of Business this first year?
There are four priorities we’ve been working on this year. First, the Guarini School of Business is in an interesting situation; we currently have more graduate students than undergraduates. A big focus is building our undergraduate pipeline. The second priority is to look at how we can better serve our community and make connections between our students and the greater community. Some of that is done through the Ignite Institute, where we have students work on projects for local businesses and do internships, but we’re looking to broaden that. Third, we’re looking to enhance our research capacity. We have a phenomenal Data Science Institute. Our faculty conduct research in many areas, so we plan to connect more students with research opportunities and expand our visibility.
Finally, I am a recovering French major and music minor, so I’ve always been interested in multidisciplinary programs. I want to help students understand the importance of examining a topic through multiple academic disciplines and to collaborate more with our other schools within the University. I look at these priorities as a two-to-three-year plan, but we’ve already made significant progress.
Can you give us an example?
We just held a task force with the College of Arts and Sciences and came away with 10 specific projects and opportunities that we are going to explore and start implementing. This fall, one of our Ignatian Seminars will be “Business, Capitalism and World Literature” that provides a wonderful forum for students to use literature to dive into the foundations of business. We’re also looking at collaborating on some international study trips and holding an informational event for our business undergrads to highlight reasons why they might want to pursue a language as a minor.
Moving forward, how will the Guarini School of Business bolster partnerships with organizations outside the University?
We have a Board of Advisors and one of the best things they do is provide feedback on the industry and skill sets our students need to have. Advisory board members—a significant number are alumni—have come to campus or held webinar sessions to help Saint Peter’s students build both hard and soft skills, which are so critical in the job market today.
Another way to bolster partnerships is to share resources. The Town & Gown Business Capstone Experience has been in place for some time. Students are paired with a Hudson County Chamber of Commerce member for a business consultancy project, which could involve strategic planning or marketing. It’s a really great way to connect our students with organizations where there might be further opportunities for internships or employment.
Since you touched on Jesuit values earlier, let’s revisit that topic. How are Ignatian principles baked into the Guarini School of Business in ways that go beyond required ethics classes? Fundamentally, we’re looking to develop students who have the soul and mindset to lead well and do well in all things. It all goes back to the principle of cura personalis. We are interested in the whole person, so we want to address questions like, “How do you generate revenue for employers?” as well as “How do you treat your employees?”
There are specific things happening, too. For instance, Bridget D’Souza, assistant professor of accounting and business law, implemented a reflection process for students. You think accounting and wonder, “How on earth do you implement Jesuit values into accounting?” We can use the Jesuit concept of reflection to encourage students to write a weekly paper that reflects on what they have learned, what they have seen over their week and how they can and should respond to that.
Is there an advantage or edge Saint Peter’s business graduates bring to industry because they are Jesuit educated?
Definitely. We’re in the process of developing a M.B.A. program with an artificial intelligence emphasis. If you look at the corporate code of ethics for Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple or any of the companies investing in AI, none of them have anything about the ethics of AI. Our students are going to be the ones asking the hard questions about AI and developing the ethical policies that will help companies think through ramifications surrounding privacy, copyright and other issues. That gives our students a huge competitive advantage over others who might be more focused on AI strategy and revenue generation.
Any other degree programs in the pipeline?
We are looking at a master’s program in project management because Saint Peter’s can add a lot of value. It will be an interdisciplinary program involving other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences that will allow us to work more closely with Jersey City and help our students think about sustainable urban planning.
With a new presidency beginning next year, what does the next leap forward look like for the Guarini School of Business?
Research is a big part of moving the Guarini School of Business to the next level of excellence. Supporting faculty research efforts and looking at ways to increase our profile is vital. We are also pursuing AACSB accreditation, the gold standard for business accreditation. Nearly all our peer Jesuit institutions are AACSB accredited, and having that accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, research, curriculum and student success.
We’re also working in close partnership with CEEL. One thing I implemented at my previous institution—and would like to do here—is to make career building blocks part of the curriculum. That could entail having students create a LinkedIn profile as part of a business management class, recording and reviewing mock job interviews or more deliberate planning that helps greater numbers of students secure internships junior year in preparation for recruitment senior year. Our ultimate goal is to create more intentional career pathways for students. We are successful as an institution when our graduates are successful in their careers, are leading ethically and are making a positive difference in society.
Prior to Saint Peter’s, Kimberly Reeve, Ph.D., served as dean of academic affairs, associate professor of business and chair of the business and finance program at The King’s College in Manhattan. Her career in academia was preceded by more than 20 years leading development and marketing teams at national and global organizations. Dr. Reeve holds a bachelor’s degree from Colby College, a M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) and a Ph.D. in international management from ISM (Paris). She and her husband, Dan, are restoring an 18th century home in the historic Forest Hills neighborhood of Newark, N.J.
History will show one very good thing came from the 1973 Watergate hearings, the U.S. Senate investigation that led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. An inquisitive political science undergraduate at Fordham University watched the nationally televised hearings and decided not to pursue law school. Instead, Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., set his sights on academia, a wonderful turn of events for Saint Peter’s University.
“Watergate happened while I was finishing my [bachelor’s degree],” Dr. Cornacchia recounted in an oral history for the University’s Sesquicentennial in 2022. Watching attorneys testify and admit to wrongdoing in the hearings “turned me off the profession at the time.”
It took a few years, but a substitute professorship in 1981 led to a full-time teaching position at what was then known as Saint Peter’s College. By the time Dr. Cornacchia graduated from Fordham with a doctorate in political science in 1985, he was a well-established figure on campus, known for engaging classes that encouraged discourse and debate, the foundation of a truly transformative Jesuit education.
“Gene was a great teacher,” said John Susino ’93, a political science major who was interested in American government and politics.
“He allowed all points of view to speak freely, and he pushed back on us, no matter what the view was.”
As an undergraduate, Susino, now the business administrator for Bergen County Technical Schools, saw his professor was deeply invested in the success of students and the institution. “Gene always had a leadership role,
whether it was chair of the political science department or on the Faculty Senate,” he said. “He always had an interest in Saint Peter’s and doing right by it.”
Stepping Into Leadership Colleagues also noticed Dr. Cornacchia’s growing influence and stature within the campus community. He served as president of the Faculty Senate, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and later, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Gene was always very involved at Saint Peter’s,” recalled Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78, special assistant to the president for strategic planning. Earlier in his Saint Peter’s career, Dr. Cornacchia ran the Washington Center Internship Program, an initiative offering academic credit to qualified students while they worked full-time internships in the nation’s capital. Dr. Bender was associate vice president for enrollment, and the program was one the duo promoted to prospective students.
Since enrollment and academic affairs are student-facing enterprises, the administrators teamed up on more projects once Dr. Cornacchia became provost. Dr. Bender was elated when Dr. Cornacchia was named Saint Peter’s 22nd president in 2007. “Gene was very invested in planning for the entire institution and looking at it holistically. I knew he’d be a risk taker, an innovator and that his presidency would be exciting and interesting.”
The innovation started immediately with VISION 2015, an ambitious strategic plan rooted in Saint Peter’s Jesuit and Catholic traditions of reason, faith, service and excellence. The plan took the college to university status, built the Mac Mahon Student Center, increased enrollment and set a record for fundraising,
$33+ million in federal grants is awarded to Saint Peter’s from 2010-2024 that support academic excellence and enrich STEM initiatives, career opportunities, student success and more.
all previous capital campaigns combined.
Saint Peter’s celebrates its Sesquicentennial during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Run Baby Run Arena opens in 2021, and the men’s basketball team draws the attention of the nation in its run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA tournament.
Peacocks Rise, the public phase of a comprehensive $75 million campaign, is announced in 2022. The campaign closed at $85+ million on June 30, making it the largest and most consequential fundraising initiative in Saint Peter’s history.
with $64.7 million raised for Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s University. The University was looking outward, as well. Saint Peter’s upped its impact on Jersey City and the state and raised its visibility by expanding the breadth and depth of partnerships with industry, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. “Gene is the one who said, ‘Let’s have a serious federal grant initiative,’” Dr. Bender recalled. The effort produced $33+ million in grants since 2010. The impact to STEM opportunities and student success has been profound.
“…I knew he’d be a risk taker, an innovator and that his presidency would be exciting and interesting.”
Some would have stopped at Students at the Center, but there was more to do. With Dr. Cornacchia’s indefatigable persistence (he is the longest-serving president in Saint Peter’s history), the Frank J. Guarini School of Business was established, Panepinto Hall welcomed residential students and the Run Baby Run Arena bolstered athletics, recreation and Peacock pride. The second campaign of his presidency, Peacocks Rise, had raised
$85+ million as this magazine went to press, the most consequential campaign since the University was founded in 1872.
The first lay president of Saint Peter’s and the second lay leader in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Dr. Cornacchia modeled leadership for the lay presidents who followed him. “If you want to see a compelling example of excellence in Jesuit education, look to Gene’s leadership at Saint Peter’s University,” said Linda LeMura, Ph.D., president of Le Moyne University. “Gene has been a superb professor, administrator and president of Saint Peter’s in matters of mission, academic quality and sustainability and has been a model servant-leader. I have learned so much from him and with him, for which I will always be deeply grateful.”
Perhaps the best testament to the Cornacchia legacy is the present strength of the University. When the retirement announcement came, the number of highly credentialed candidates interested in becoming the 23rd president of Saint Peter’s was striking.
“Gene has transformed us in terms of where we need to be as a university,” said Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91, chair of the Board of Trustees.
“He is leaving Saint Peter’s in tremendous shape for years to come and is going to go down in history as the institution’s greatest president, simple as that.”
When you are set to retire after devoting 40-plus years of service to Saint Peter’s University− 17 of them as president−a lot of people want to say, “Thank You.” A large crowd of students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni and friends turned up to do just that on Gene Cornacchia Bobblehead Night at the Run Baby Run Arena on February 16.
This outpouring of affection and support for the University’s longest-serving president was expressed many times over in tributes and events held to celebrate Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., and all that the University has accomplished during his transformative tenure.
Director of Athletics Katie Arcuri presented the president with his own Gene Cornacchia bobblehead at the Peacocks vs. Siena Saints men’s basketball game on February 16. The special edition memento was a huge hit with the crowd; proceeds from bobblehead sales benefitted the President’s Priority Fund. Following the halftime presentation, the Peacocks went on to a decisive 75-53 victory.
Influencer
ROI-NJ named Dr. Cornacchia to the ROI Influencers Power List for 2024 in his final year as University president. The list recognizes top leaders in the state who are making an impact in a specific sector or community. The publication cited Dr. Cornacchia for his decades of leadership, steady guidance when Saint Peter’s was thrust into the national spotlight during the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament and fundraising success.
At the University’s annual Christmas party in December 2023, faculty, administrators and staff took a moment to capture a photo with Dr. Cornacchia and AnnMarie Cornacchia in The Duncan Family Sky Room of the Mac Mahon Student Center.
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Board of Directors honored Dr. Cornacchia at the annual winter board meeting, February 2-3, in Washington, D.C. Pictured (L to R) with Dr. Cornacchia: Linda LeMura, Ph.D., president, Le Moyne College, Tania Tetlow, J.D., president, Fordham University, and AJCU President Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.
Showcasing a Legacy
The Legacy of Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., the 22nd President of Saint Peter’s University, opened at the Theresa and Edward O’Toole Library on April 24. The exhibition, curated by Librarian, Reference & Exhibits Coordinator Ilona MacNamara, MLS, M.Ed., showcases the career and presidency of Dr. Cornacchia through photographs, yearbooks and other items from the University archives. A selection of personal family photographs was also revealed at the opening reception for the exhibition. “We wanted to honor the impact of Dr. Cornacchia’s presidency,” said MacNamara, as well as distinguish the exhibition from the many tributes organized to honor the outgoing president. The exhibition will be on view until the end of August.
Hearts & Minds: The Saint Peter’s University Scholarship Celebration honored Dr. Cornacchia with the Magis Award on June 13. He was the sole Hearts & Minds honoree. The Magis Award was given in recognition of the president’s deep commitment to the advancement of education. The event also celebrated the successful conclusion of Peacocks Rise: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s University.
As a professor, Dr. Cornacchia took students to watch live proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives. On March 21, Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., who passed away on April 24, honored Saint Peter’s longest serving president in a Congressional Proclamation on the House floor. “President Cornacchia is an exceptional leader who will be missed at Saint Peter’s University,” said Payne, who had represented New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District since 2012. Lt. Gov. Tahesha L. Way, Esq., presented a proclamation from Gov. Phil Murphy on April 10, following an event hosted by the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership. The tribute recognized Dr. Cornacchia’s many contributions to Saint Peter’s and the State of New Jersey.
The AMDG Mission Award honors members of the Saint Peter’s community who exemplify the Ignatian ideal, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, “For the Greater Glory of God,” in their service to the University and the common good. Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. Andrew Downing, S.J., presented the award to Dr. Cornacchia on April 3.
The Saint Peter’s University Board of Trustees unanimously approved president emeritus, as well as professor emeritus status for President Cornacchia. In addition, they named the University’s Emeriti Room in Pope Hall the Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., H ’24 Emeriti Room.
Saint Peter’s University was recently awarded $6.8 million in federal funds to enhance student well-being and establish centers that will support Peacocks from college readiness to graduation and career.
When Maria Torres Menes ’24 first started applying to colleges, she knew little about how the application process—or college for that matter—worked. “As the oldest in my family, and the first to think about college, I had no idea what the logistics were. I was limited in what I could do because of my background,” she said.
With two recently awarded landmark grants, Saint Peter’s University hopes to change this experience for students like Maria, who will graduate with a major in chemistry and minor in sociology. “[Grants] like this are important because they help current and potential students feel less isolated,” she added. “It’s something that could help many deserving students achieve higher education.”
Awarded in Saint Peter’s milestone 25th year as a Hispanic Serving Institution, both federal grants are designed to enhance student well-being and retention and increase support services. The $3 million Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education was awarded based on a five-year project titled Bienestar (“well-being”) For All. The second grant is a $3.8 million Postsecondary Student Success Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, awarded for a four-year project titled Peacock Success by Optimizing Data and Support (PODS).
Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost, and administrator of the grants, expresses hope that these grants will aid the University in what it does already, but increase impact and help even more students.
“There is a lot of good that can be done with $7 million,” he said. “This allows us to hire the right people—like a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice executive director for our new Center for Inclusive Excellence—and our commitment as an institution is to retain those positions. We want all our students to succeed. Once they are accepted to Saint Peter’s, it’s about helping them find the career they want, as well. We want to take them all the way.”
“Both grants support strategic goals for the University,” explained Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning Virginia Bender, Ph.D. ’78, who led the teams that developed the successful grant applications. “They directly support the central priority of the current strategic plan—Vitality, Value and Viability—to strengthen student achievement and learning outcomes through contemporary cura personalis and transformative experiences that prepare students for their professions and purposeful lives.” The Bienestar (“well-being”) For All grant rose out of the need to address students’ academic, emotional, social and mental health needs and from the desire to help people in a more holistic way. The Office for Academic Affairs wants to ensure students are equipped with the right skills. So many environmental factors affect academic support—from food and housing to transportation and interview outfits—and these grants aim to tackle these issues by increasing community and belonging for the University’s first generation and underrepresented students.
The grant also aligns with the University’s Jesuit commitment to serving a student body where 55 percent of undergraduates will be the first in their families to graduate from college, and its 21st century vision for cura personalis. As outlined in the proposal, Bienestar will establish the Center for Inclusive Excellence, support
core curriculum and faculty development, increase student success through the First (first-generation) Strut Center and create a mentoring program to nurture college readiness.
The Center for Inclusive Excellence will be a DEIJ center located in the Mac Mahon Student Center so that it is visible and centrally located. Devin Heyward, Ph.D., director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and associate professor of sociology, urban studies and anthropology, said, “The Bienestar grant has the potential to help us to retain current students and to reach students who left campus, for whatever reason, and bring them back into the fold. It’s exciting to think about creating a space where students can be seen, find each other, build community and get the support they need.”
Additionally, the First Strut Center will include a range of support, including financial education, interview assistance and even a closet for students to find professional clothing for job interviews. According to Torres Menes, who has assisted professors in the planning and launch of Bienestar, “The programs and events coming out of this grant don’t just help us get into college, but allow us to celebrate our culture in many different forms—and embrace the diversity on campus.”
The PODS grant will similarly aim to support students in a universal way. Dr. Bonato said the grant, one of only nine proposals funded nationally and the only chosen in New Jersey, represents what motivates Saint Peter’s: community and mentorship. The project incorporates three strategies to bolster student success, the first of which is a faculty-based advising model that includes a professional adviser, faculty mentor and financial coach who will work collaboratively to fully support students. PODS will also provide resources to increase training for faculty and staff and an expansion of the University’s retention-data platform. It will also be used to establish a Male Resource Center designed to increase academic, social and cultural support for male students.
Addressing a national issue of decreased retention and graduation rates for male students, the MRC will bolster students’ affinity with the University, as well as boost academic performance and reengage male students in a way that supports their entire academic and personal journey.
“There is a disappearing male population—specifically Black and Hispanic men,” Dr. Heyward said. “The MRC is a chance to help those students come back into the University more fully. We want them to be able to see themselves represented more fully in all areas of campus, and our hope is that this reinvigorates the population.”
Both grants are long-term projects that will have lasting effects for future generations of students. The fact that Saint Peter’s was awarded the highly competitive grants, based on proposals that were years in the making, represents an exciting time of growth for the University.
“I love Saint Peter’s because we take on these challenges,” Dr. Bonato said. “At many schools, you either make it on your own or you don’t, but we want to give all of our students all the help we can so that they succeed.”
WITH GIFTS OF $85+ MILLION* , PEACOCKS RISE: THE CAMPAIGN FOR SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HAS INSPIRED THE MOST GENEROSITY IN THE UNIVERSITY’S 152-YEAR HISTORY.
Peacocks can do anything when we come together to create even better opportunities for students. In 2017, a core group of donors jump-started Peacocks Rise, the most ambitious campaign Saint Peter’s has ever embarked upon. Momentum grew during the quiet phase, and following its public launch in 2022, the campaign surpassed its $75 million goal.
At the time of printing, Peacocks Rise raised in excess of $85 million. The campaign not only set a new fundraising record, it ushered in progress and achievements that will impact Peacocks for generations to come.
*As of June 1, 2024
Saint Peter’s donors are passionately committed to ensuring that our diverse student body, 55 percent of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college, have access to a life-
changing Jesuit education. One-third of the University’s donor-funded endowed scholarships were established during the tenure of Peacocks Rise Additionally, alumni and friends
Athletics, recreation and Peacock Pride received a big boost with the opening of the Run Baby Run Arena in 2021. The renovated arena is the home court for the men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball team. Featured prominently in the Peacocks’ epic run to the Elite Eight in the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the facility and Hall of Fame were made possible in large part thanks to a $5 million lead gift from Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68. A member of the iconic Run Baby Run 196768 men’s basketball team, Mac Mahon named the arena in honor of his teammates.
Saint Peter’s unveiled a modernized Dinneen Hall in 2021, home to the Guarini School of Business. Experiential education has been heightened with the addition of a global finance lab, collaboration commons, new classrooms, project rooms and more. These and other advances were made possible by a $10 million gift from Hon. Frank J. Guarini H ’94 in 2019, at the time the largest in University history. He would later be joined at this extraordinary level of support by longtime benefactor Joseph A. Panepinto, Esq. ’66.
championed the Gateway Scholarship Fund, which provides debt-free relief to students whose talent and ambitions exceed their financial means. The fund was created in 2020 in response to the hardship experienced by Saint Peter’s students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donor-funded scholarships also impact the institution by helping to cover the gap between the amount students and families can afford to pay in tuition and the actual cost of a Saint Peter’s education. When Peacocks cross the stage to receive their diploma at commencement each year, transformational scholarships and the donors who contributed have played a pivotal role in their ultimate success.
Since 2020, students and faculty have made productive use of the dedicated space and resources in the Theresa and Edward O’Toole Library’s Digital Research Commons. Designed to enrich scholarship, research and collaboration, the project was largely funded by the Theresa and Edward O’Toole Foundation and the George I. Alden Trust. The transformation has not only modernized the facilities but has also revitalized the library as the premier campus destination for quiet study, collaboration, computing and digital scholarship.
Peacocks Rise generated investments in students and infrastructure that advanced health sciences and STEM to next-level excellence. Since 2021, B.S.N. candidates in the School of Nursing have been learning from the latest patient simulators, or SIMs, becoming better prepared to enter the demanding and rewarding field of nursing. Additionally, Murphy Fellows have gained academic credit and valuable internship experience in a range of STEM fields since the fund named for the late Frank J. Murphy Esq. ’69 was established by his wife, Alice Lehman, in 2020. Further innovations to health sciences and STEM are in the works. Stay tuned!
Peacocks are unstoppable, especially when student-athletes, who represent the University’s 16 Division I teams, are backed by enthusiastic alumni and friends. Peacock teams have captured MAAC championships and individual records, all while maintaining a stellar graduation student rate of 93%. In 2023, eight athletic programs sustained a perfect GSR of 100%. The University increased the visibility of athletics fundraising over the course of Peacocks Rise through the establishment of Peacock Nation Day, an annual day of giving that benefits the athletics department and its teams. The support of Peacock Nation helped propel the 202122 men’s basketball team into the national spotlight during the unprecedented run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA championship.
“Use my gift where it is most needed,” is a refrain we heard over and over from alumni and friends during the silent and public phases of Peacocks Rise. More than 6,500 donors chose not to specify the use of their gift to Saint Peter’s, allowing the University the greatest flexibility to meet urgent needs, capitalize on opportunities and sustain the institution’s mission.
The impact of unrestricted giving is deeply felt by students. Undergraduates
The greatest distinction of a Saint Peter’s education is our Jesuit identity and commitment to living out Ignatian values of compassion, integrity and courage. Gifts of all sizes to Peacocks Rise sustained a robust array of academic, campus ministry and liturgical programs that engage all faiths and traditions in our campus community. Purposeful service, whether it is attending the Ignatian Family Teach-In in Washington, D.C., or supporting local entrepreneurs through the Ignite Institute, is the backbone of the University credo to conduct our lives as men and women for others.
facing unprecedented financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic stayed the course and graduated because of additional assistance made possible by unrestricted giving. Saint Peter’s superpower of personalized care, cura personalis, is thriving because the University is equipped to fund small classes, dedicated professors and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. All this and much, much more is made possible by unrestricted giving.
Many thanks to the Campaign Cabinet that led Peacocks Rise to its phenomenal result.
Kathleen M. McKenna, Esq. ’75, co-chair
Anthony O. Pergola, Esq. ’92, co-chair
Robert M. Hurley ’71, honorary co-chair
Kenneth Moore, CFA ’91, Board of Trustees chair
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president
Rosemary E. Ampuero ’96
Annette D. Corbin ’84
Frank L. Fekete, CPA ’75
Eugene O. Flinn ’80
Charles M. Lizza, Esq. ’77
Thomas P. Mac Mahon ’68
William J. Marino ’66
Francis A. McGrail ’79
Susan P. Mitchell-Abbate ’72
Joseph A. Panepinto, Esq. ’66
Robert L. Tortoriello, Esq. ’71
John B. Wilson, Esq. ’70, H ’18
La Toro P. Yates, Ph.D. ’94, ’98
What drove the success of the biggest campaign in Saint Peter’s University history? Here’s a look at some key figures and statistics.
492 pledges
+ million
$15.1 million
112 donors planned gifts given by
9,745 number of donors
6 ,342 donors made their largest gifts to the University
4,182 Number of new donors
$2,500 Average gift
2 largest gifts in campaign history
*As of June 1, 2024 5,623 alumni gave during the campaign For more information on campaign achievements, visit campaign.saintpeters. edu or read the next issue of Saint Peter’s University magazine.
Peacocks Rise officially closed on June 30. Visit campaign.saintpeters.edu for the grand total raised!
No one predicted Saint Peter’s University would win the men’s basketball MAAC title at the start of the 2023-2024 season. In fact, the Peacocks didn’t even land in the top five of the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. By the end of the season, the young team led by second year Head Coach Bashir Mason claimed the MAAC championship after three heart-stopping victories over Rider, Quinnipiac and Fairfield universities.
Peacock Nation was elated. For the second time in three years, Saint Peter’s became MAAC Tournament Champions and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Fans were out in full force for the watch party at home in the Run Baby Run Arena and in Charlotte, N.C., where the Peacocks fell to Tennessee, 83-49, in the first round of the tournament.
Latrell Reid ’24, one of the remaining players from the Elite Eight tournament run two years ago, was asked about the crowd of Saint Peter’s fans who traveled to Charlotte at the post-game press conference. “That’s just Peacock Nation right there,” he responded. “They show up. They show out. We’re very happy that they did that, and we’re very appreciative. They’ve been doing that all year. We forever have love for those guys.”
Mason offered a candid perspective on the game and season. “A ton of respect for Tennessee and how hard they played us,” he said. “But I’m confident in my guys and the season we had. I feel great about us being back here soon.”
As is Peacock Nation. See you in the Run Baby Run Arena in November.
Led by Head Coach Bashir Mason, the 2023-24 men’s basketball team won the MAAC championship on March 21 in Atlantic City. The win secured the team’s place in the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years, where the Peacocks went up against Tennessee on March 21 in Charlotte, N.C.
For Director of Athletics Katie Arcuri, Peacock athletics is much more than winning championships. It’s about ensuring that every student-athlete is happy and feels supported—in the classroom, in competition and especially, in life. “The men’s basketball Elite Eight run in 2022 was amazing, and we’ve had other teams win championships,” said Arcuri, who was appointed to her current position in December 2023. “Yet, Saint Peter’s is also winning if our student-athletes are having a good experience. Winning on the field or court is secondary.”
That statement speaks volumes about Arcuri’s 11-year tenure with Saint Peter’s University. As senior associate athletics director
for compliance and student-athlete welfare, she led an NCAAfunded initiative that raised Peacock graduation rates to an all-time high last year. Arcuri has also been a sounding board and source of support for student-athletes, embodying the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis: “That’s something that is true to my heart.”
Her heart is also touched by the fans—especially alumni—who turn out to cheer on the Peacocks. At a men’s basketball game at Run Baby Run Arena on February 16, Arcuri was floored by the celebratory atmosphere as she presented outgoing President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., with his own bobblehead. “There were people waving signs and bobbleheads in the stands. Dr. Cornacchia was very humble. It was such a fun night.”
• Landed your first job?
• Retired from your last job?
• Met the love of your life?
• Celebrated a milestone anniversary?
• Welcomed a child?
• Welcomed a grandchild?
• Reminisced with friends from Saint Peter’s?
• Received a promotion or honor?
Saint Peter’s University welcomes any and all news about your career, education, family life and reconnecting with other alumni. Submit class notes to: alumni.saintpeters.edu/newsandnotes or send to: Office of Alumni Engagement, 2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306.
1966
Raymond Bober received his certification as clinical fellow in hospice and palliative care from the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy.
1967
Anthony Ianni reunited with fellow 1967 Saint Peter’s ROTC band company alumni Richard Finch, Martin Heagen, Doug Contreras, Hap Moran, Nick Fugaro, Rich Cardillo, John McDonald and Jack McNally last summer. Also in attendance was Mrs. Renay Bassi, wife of Jack Bassi ’67. If anyone from the Saint Peter’s ROTC band company is interested in attending a reunion, please contact Anthony Ianni at tianni7@aol.com.
Joseph Apicella and his wife, Melanie, welcomed their fourth grandchild, Charlotte Grace Apicella.
1955
Robert Kramer, former director of international studies at Manhattan College, recently took part in an international panel discussion and reading of poetry in translation at the Jefferson Market Library auditorium in Manhattan.
1961
Lou Cappadona formed Yavapai HR Consulting, LLC to provide employment law advice and counsel to small- and medium-sized employers in northern Arizona.
Kenneth Johnson had right knee replacement surgery on May 22.
1962
Harold Kurfehs attended his 60th Wharton School of Business
M.B.A. reunion in May. He is still working as executive vice president of Scalzo Commercial & New Development in Bethel, Conn.
George Bull proudly shares that his granddaughter, Serafina Kennedy, was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in Sweden.
Daniel D’Alessandro, J.S.C. (Ret.), is now of counsel to Callagy Law.
1972
Brian Bovasso is a volunteer/ consultant with Fostering Hope of Lower Bucks County, Pa., where he uses his experience as a former foster parent to help new-resource families cope with the demands placed on them. The goal is to reverse the trend of nearly 50 percent of foster parents withdrawing in the first year.
Theresa Troise Heidel was named 2024 Artist Laureate for the Village of Ridgefield Park, N.J.,
by the village’s Board of Commissioners. She received a proclamation at a commissioner’s meeting in January and will be preparing artwork during 2024. Last year, she was the featured solo artist at the Upper Gallery Spring Lake Community House in Spring Lake, N.J., where she exhibited 48 watercolors of the Jersey Shore, Lake George and New England.
David Lewandowski’s granddaughter, born June 2, 2023, has been in the hospital since birth and has endured three open heart surgeries and a heart transplant. She joins her two cousins, John, 7, and Nicholas, 4.
John Anderson was elected vice president of the New Brunswick City Council and will be the council’s liaison to the Parking Authority and the Senior Advisory Committee. He was first elected to the city council in 2012 and won reelection in 2016 and 2020. He is running again this year for another fouryear term.
Gordon Lapinksi retired in 2014 from Fiserv. He spent 35 years in the credit union finance industry and five years in the banking industry, starting in Jersey City.
Richard J. Ensor, Esq., received the 2024 Betty F. Jaynes Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four was hosted in April. The award is named in honor of the late Betty
F. Jaynes, who was the WBCA’s first and longest-serving executive director. The award was presented by WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew and University of North Carolina Coach Courtney Barnhart, who is president of the association. Ensor retired as commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in June 2023 after 35 years of service and is currently the CEO of Boardwalk Sports Event Marketing based in Celebration, Fla.
Jaqueline Zanelli-Cicchetti retired from Lancaster Catholic High School, in Lancaster, Pa., on August 31, 2023, after teaching English there for 27 years. She taught for eight years at Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata, totaling 35 years in Catholic education. The last five years of her career, Zanelli-Cicchetti served as the English department chair.
She loved her job, cherished her students and is still in touch with many of her former students to this day.
Patrick J. Driscoll, R.Ph., is proud to share the following: “Fifty years ago, in 1974, I met my future wife, Lorraine (Zolnowski) Driscoll, M.D. ’76. She was my lab partner. Besides getting a great education at Saint Peter’s, I got a beautiful and wonderful wife who is also my best friend.”
Frank Giantomasi, Esq., an attorney and executive member at CSG Law, was inducted into the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership’s Hall of Fame at Seton Hall University in 2023. The honor recognized Giantomasi’s qualities of servant-leadership through his approachability and empathy with people from all strata of society, his
Alumni gathered in Naples and Stuart, Fla., in February to celebrate all that President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., has accomplished for Saint Peter’s University and wish him well as he prepares for his retirement. Thank you to Josephine and Thomas O’Reilly ’69, Annette Corbin ’84 and Russell Stern ’70 for hosting these events.
Naples, Fla.
Thomas ’69 and Josephine O’Reilly, President Eugene and AnnMarie Cornacchia and Rev. Andrew Downing, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry
stewardship of civic institutions and charitable causes and his ongoing commitment to creating a culture of servant leadership at CSG Law.
John P. Gallagher, M.D., earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Saint Peter’s before completing his Master of Science in Physiology from Hahnemann Medical and medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, previously known as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 33 years in Sharon, Pa., delivering 6,000 babies and serving the community at a federally qualified health center. He has also served in leadership positions, including chair of obstetrics and gynecology and medical staff president at Sharon Regional Medical Center, as well as multiple leadership positions at the Pennsylvania Medical
Society, including three terms as board chairman. He and his spouse of 45 years, Therese, now travel extensively and spoil their two grandchildren.
Edward Meier is proud to announce that the Cliffside Park School District and the Bergen County School Counselors Association (BCSCA) elected him as president of the BCSCA.
Jim Menendez and his wife, Mary Ellen, welcomed their first grandchild, Maeve Eleanore, on March 2.
Donna (Frey) Alkin started a new position as an attorney adviser in the Office of General Counsel in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Newark Field Office.
Stuart, Fla.
Linda Moore, J.D., assistant vice president for individual giving; Mark and Diane Tomasik; Russell ’70 and Jane Stern; Oreoluwa Kpade-Johnson ’24; President Eugene and AnnMarie Cornacchia; Annette ’84 and Peter Corbin and Leah Leto, vice president for advancement and external affairs
Alumni and Friends
Gathering at the Spring Lake Golf Club
Hosted by Ellen and Jim O’Brien ’64
August 22
Golden Peacock Alumni Weekend
September 21-22
Alumni Memorial Mass
November 3
For more information, please contact the Office of Alumni and Donor Engagement at (201) 761-6122 or alumni@saintpeters.edu.
William T. Price III joined Edelman Smithfield as an executive vice president in the strategic situations and investor relations practice.
Richard Chen was recently hired as an assistant manager at ALDI.
Jessica Quintana-Dicellis owns and operates a McDonald’s restaurant located in Journal Square.
Jeffrey Engelhardt’s book, Nonideal Theory and Content Externalism, was published by Oxford University Press. It is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce recognized Niurka “Nikki” Mederos for her outstanding contribution as a woman and leader in healthcare. Mederos serves as the director of
community health/external affairs at Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center.
Nathalie Staiger-Gutierrez presented at the first STEM Pathway to Academic Success Series at Saint Peter’s University in February. Staiger-Gutierrez is a fisheries biologist who specializes in image analysis and science communication content creation for NOAA Fisheries.
Kristian Gutierrez presented at the first STEM Pathway to Academic Success Series at Saint Peter’s University in February. Guiterrez is a senior specialist at Moderna.
Kelsey Nugent joined Rutgers University as assistant director of stewardship in athletics.
Andrea Lopez recently completed Google’s prestigious early career
Americas Sales Associate Program. Lopez was promoted into the company’s Large Customer Sales unit.
Syed Ali began his career at Deloitte as an IAM engineer and is now a network engineer 2 with a wireless carrier. He attributes his success to the efforts of the staff and professors at Saint Peter’s University.
Yolonda Washington and her husband, William, celebrated 10 years of marriage on April 5, 2023. They reside in Newark, N.J., and have one grown daughter and one teenage daughter.
Allysa Oliver ’17, ’18 and Nnamdi Ike, DMP ’17, recently married. The couple met on campus in 2013.
Peacocks came together on April 10 and raised more than $110,000 to support students for Saint Peter Day 2024.
More than 350 alumni and friends participated in the annual day of giving, surpassing the goal of 300 donors. This level of participation unlocked additional support for scholarships, the Honors Program, study abroad opportunities, Veterans and Military Services and more.
Thank you to everyone who participated. It’s never too late to make an impact. If you wish to make a gift to The Saint Peter Fund, visit alumni.saintpeters.edu/give.
Saint Peter’s University wishes to extend its prayers and condolences to the families of alumni, members of the University community and friends who have passed away.
William J. Allingham, Esq. ’54
Kenneth Atkinson ’80
Hon. Mark A. Baber ’75
Joyce A. Behlmer ’86
Robert J. Brady, Esq. ’52
Daniel J. Buongiorno ’70
Patrick J. Burke ’57
Ralph A. Carpentiere ’59
Ralph C. Citarella ’74
Carol O. Collins
Charles J. Cusick, Ph.D. ’50
Joseph E. Debold ’51
Richard J. Diehl ’67
William R. Dolphin ’67
Thomas P. Duffy, M.D. ’58
Charles V. Dullea ’74
Arthur J. Dunne ’57
Laurence T. Fell ’58
Catherine Forrester, M.D. ’75
Edward T. Gramling ’60
John M. Groesbeck ’70
Joseph Higgins ’74
Peter J. Hughes ’63
Damier A. Johnson Roberts ’18
Paul D. Kauffman ’69
Ronald H. Kelly ’60
Louis J. Klein ’60
Michael R. Koch, Sr., Ph.D. ’74
Kathleen C. Koping ’71
Carl C. Larsen ’60
Raymond C. Lena ’69
Donald P. MacDonald ’58
Raymond J. Manupelli ’62
Joseph D. Marion ’50
Roger T. McCann ’61
John F. McCormick ’51
Edward J. McKigney ’59
Donald J. Michels, Ph.D. ’54
Gale A. Miller ’76
Charles T. Moore ’59
John Morano ’59
Mark E. Morchel, Esq. ’76
John Nagel
Anthony S. Neusch ’62
James J. O’Connor ’47
Juliana O’Donnell ’71
Robert E. O’Fee ’56
John F. O’Hare ’55
Robert S. Orzack ’58
Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr.
Raymond S. Picone ’74
Geraldine H. Price
Salvatore Prisco, Ph.D. ’64
Joseph Putrino ’69
Michael S. Ramella ’74
Albert A. Rienzo, M.D. ’58
Naomi H. Rock ’85
John G. Rooney ’52
Patrick J. Rouse ’60
Edward R. Rutkowski ’74
Thomas F. Saal ’72
William J. Spataro ’61
Joseph C. Steady ’53
Robert R. Tarantula ’73
Carl J. Tronco ’74
John C. Tuffy ’59
Patricia M. Wadleigh ’75
Deacon William F. Ward ’56
Ronnie Weintraub
John M. West ’65
Frederick J. Wethly ’54
Jean Wyszinski ’74
A gift made to honor a loved one who has passed is a meaningful way to ensure their memory lives on. Such gifts offer a lasting tribute while providing family and friends with the satisfaction of knowing they have helped future students. For more information on ways to honor a loved one through a current gift or planned gift, please contact Linda Moore, J.D., assistant vice president for individual giving, at (201) 761-6128 or lmoore2@saintpeters.edu.
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., finished the presidency the same way he began it, standing with students. The fall 2007 issue of Saint Peter’s College magazine outlined the path toward a new era of growth. “We are going to focus more on some of the things that need to be done,” the president emphasized in a conversation for the magazine.
The college became a university, graduate programs exploded, new facilities were constructed and the existing ones modernized, all for the benefit of Saint Peter’s students. “Everything we do at Saint Peter’s is about students,” Dr. Cornacchia reiterated numerous times over the years. “Our purpose is to ensure we have the resources necessary to do all the great things we want to do for present and future generations.”
Include Saint Peter’s in your estate plan and the University will receive an immediate matching gift
The Legacy Challenge will provide an immediate cash match for donors who document new or increased planned gifts. Thanks to a generous group of alumni and friends who have donated $250,000, the University will receive a matching gift of 10% of the value of your commitment (up to $10,000) to benefit the General Scholarship Fund. As a result, your planned gift will have both an immediate impact on our students today while also creating a legacy that will provide for our future.
How It Works
Let us know!
If you have a planned gift that will benefit our students, share your plans. Your planned gift can include gifts by will, trusts, charitable gift annuities or beneficiary designation of financial accounts such as IRAs, investment accounts, donor advised funds or life insurance policies.
To learn how you can join the Legacy Challenge, contact Linda Moore, J.D., assistant vice president for individual giving (201) 761-6128 • lmoore2@saintpeters.edu
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07306 Change Service Requested O ffice of Communications and Marketing
In 2017, Saint Peter’s University embarked on the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in its history. Since then, nearly 10,000 alumni and friends have risen together to lift Saint Peter’s to greater heights with their support. On behalf of the Saint Peter’s community, thank you for rising to the occasion! campaign.saintpeters.edu/peacocksrise