SAINT VINCENT M A G A Z I N E
The New Evangelization and Higher Education
The Vision of Pope Francis
SUMMER 2016
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Upcoming
Events
Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Annual Gala
Cole: An Entertainment Based on the Words and Music of Cole Porter Friday, July 8 Gala reservations: 724-805-2901
Cole: An Entertainment Based on the Words and Music of Cole Porter Saint Vincent Summer Theatre July 9 to 24
Tickets: stvincentstore.com or 724-537-8900.
GOLD Pittsburgh Pirates Outing Tuesday, July 26
PNC Park Contact: Alumni Office, 724-805-2568
The Odd Couple Saint Vincent Summer Theatre
July 29 to August 14
Tickets: stvincentstore.com or 724-537-8900.
Homecoming and Family Weekend September 24-25 Threshold Lecture: Steven Johnson “How We Got To Now” Introduction: Dr. Herbert Boyer, C’58 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 13 Fred M. Rogers Center Free admission. Reservations required: threshold@stvincent.edu.
Threshold: Catholic-Jewish Dialogue: A Tribute To Rabbi Jason Edelstein 7 p.m., Thursday, November 3
‘Pope Francis’ Rabbi,’ Abraham Skorka and Cardinal Donald Wuerl will lead a group of Jewish rabbis and Catholic theologians in a Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate.
STEELERS TRAINING CAMP JULY 29-AUGUST 16 www.stvincent.edu/trainingcamp
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The Mission of Dan Carney, C’15 an Carney, C’15, (above, center) found his passion and career through a part-time college job. In his sophomore year at Saint Vincent, Carney began
working weekends at the Union Mission in Latrobe and found that he loved the job so much that he applied for the position of director when the preceding director stepped down.
The Union Mission in Latrobe serves men who find themselves homeless and provides the services to get these men back on their feet through life skills, job assistance and finding residencies. Carney says that, “We don’t just do job assistance and housing. We also make sure the little stuff, like budgeting, medical needs and family counseling, is taken care of.” The Mission boasts a recidivism rate of 7.8 percent, compared to the national average of over 40 percent, because the staff seeks to not merely provide a shelter but to break the cycle of homelessness. When Carney began his position as director, he was working 18-hour days while still attending school. In order to stabilize the mission and his job, he had to take a break from college. He did return, not as the education major he started out as, but as a psychology major, a vein much closer to the social service career he was already deep within. To show his dedication to helping the homeless, Carney had his hair cut into a Mohawk at an annual fund raiser last year, the result of a raffle that allowed the winner to pick a new hairstyle for him. He went around the Latrobe area talking to and taking pictures with residents and businesses with the haircut for a week to raise awareness of homelessness. “The guys are why I stay with the mission,” Carney said. “It’s a phenomenal experience and they become an extended part of my family. When you see an ‘Ah-ha!’ moment, when they move on and come back to show you how they’re doing—there’s nothing else like it. The guys make me love this place.” —Kathryn Klawinski HELP STUDENTS LIKE DAN CARNEY BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE STUDENTS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP FUND. SEND GIFTS TO INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE, 300 FRASER PURCHASE ROAD, LATROBE, PA 15650 OR CALL (724) 805-2949.
Departments
President’s 4 Message More Features 14
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Pete Hutchinson and Dick Wissolik retire; President’s Award; honors convocation.
ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES HALL
Faculty 18 Michael Urick and Veronica Ent receive awards.
News Briefs
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Sports
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Papal author lectures; John Aupperle honored; presidents visit.
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Addiction Study Gains Notice of FBI, DEA
PAC Men: Basketball success on and off the court; spring sports roundup.
Alumni
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Matich gets Fulbright; Robert Reed named presiding judge; social media awards for Bundy, Byers.
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Softball Wins First Championship
S a in t V inc e n t M a g a z ine ARCHABBOT AND CHANCELLOR Rt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. PRESIDENT Br. Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B. EDITOR Kim Metzgar svmagazine@stvincent.edu DESIGN Kim Metzgar & Jordan Hainsey PRINTING Laurel Valley Graphics ALUMNI NEWS COORDINATOR Mary Ann Dunlap PROOFREADER Carol Riddle
Summer 2016 Volume 13, Issue 3
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kathryn Klawinski Kim Metzgar Don Orlando Sports Information Office
Saint Vincent Magazine (United States Postal Service Publication Number USPS 5144-8000) is published by Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for alumni, parents and friends. Third class postage paid at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Alumni Office, Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ellen DeSimone
Saint Vincent College reserves the right to accept or decline submissions of both information and photos for use in the Saint Vincent Magazine, based on content, quality, timeliness and suitability, at the discretion of the editor.
PHOTOGRAPHY Archabbey Archives Alumni Relations Office Jared Bundy Alexander Byers Ken Brooks Peter Finger Seth Harbaugh Kim Metzgar Sports Information Office
Saint Vincent College subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity in the classroom, workplace and programs, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, veteran status, national origin, marital status, genetic history or disability. To learn more, visit: http://www.stvincent.edu/ Legal-Information/.
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Cover: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Bishop Robert Barron and Dr. Carolyn Woo were keynote speakers at a national conference held at Saint Vincent this spring. See pages 20-25 for more on this event.
Graduation 2016: Celebrating Friendships
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A Message From The President
Dear Alumni and Friends,
ommencement 2016 was especially meaningful, as my longtime friend and classmate John Degnan, now chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, received an honorary doctoral degree and gave the Commencement address, on this the 50th anniversary of our own graduation from Saint Vincent. We are all very proud and grateful for the service John is providing to the states of New Jersey and New York, and to the boards of both his alma maters, Saint Vincent College and Saint Benedict Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. Commencement also marked the retirement of Pete Hutchinson, a member of the Class of 1968, which prides itself on being our most cohesive class. I am pleased that we were able to recruit him as our dean of Institutional Advancement, after which he became a core member of the business faculty. Likewise, we marked the retirement of Dick Wissolik, celebrated for the breadth of his contributions across campus, including co-founding the Saint Vincent Camerata and establishing the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies, a campus program that has produced valued oral histories. Our students especially appreciated Dick’s course on the “Faces of Battle,” where they heard firsthand the moving stories of war from our nation’s veterans. As the years go by, we continue to enjoy new friendships, encompassing now all of our 2016 graduates including Helena Shoplik, a psychology major and children’s studies minor who was named winner of the 2016 President’s Award. A Fred Rogers Scholar and captain of the lacrosse team, Helena is off to work on a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland in school psychology. You will also read about another recent graduate and friend Sarah Swettlen (pictured above). A first-team all-President’s Athletic Conference outfielder and lead-off hitter, Sarah gave up attending her Commencement in order to play in the PAC championship on graduation day. She had the winning hit for the Bearcats, and I had the honor of presenting her with her diploma at a private ceremony after the team won the championship. Sarah, who completed a degree in international business as well as the SAP Program, will go on to work at MWA Intelligence, an SAP firm in Arizona. And in our story about Dr. Eric Kocian’s work with our criminology majors, you will read about their research presentation to the FBI and DEA, and about new graduate Jacob Noonan’s work on the causes of addiction. Jacob will attend the Daniel Morgan Academy, a specialized graduate school in Washington, D.C., to earn master’s degrees in intelligence and national security. You will also read about Governor Tom Wolf’s recent visit to campus for a meeting with Southwestern Pennsylvania political leaders and service providers, our criminology faculty members and majors to discuss improving access for treatment of drug and alcohol problems. Please enjoy these and the other stories in this issue of Saint Vincent Magazine. Make a visit to campus this summer for one of our outstanding performances of our Summer Theatre or for a preview of the coming football season at the Steeler Summer Training Camp at Saint Vincent. We look forward to welcoming the class of 2020 to campus in August. Thank you for your continuing support of Saint Vincent College. We are deeply grateful. God bless, Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., President
John J. Degnan, C’66, receives an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., left, and Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president.
John J. Degnan, C’66: Presidential Citation
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ou are the product of a Benedictine education, both at Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, and here at Saint Vincent College. You provided outstanding leadership to the Bearcats of the 1960s as President of the Student Senate during those exciting and turbulent times. You went on to distinguish yourself at Harvard Law School and initiated your practice of law in association with the New Jersey Supreme Court... But the call to public service beckoned, and you agreed to serve the citizens of New Jersey during the administration of Governor Brendan Byrne, eventually becoming the youngest Attorney General in the history of the state. After a brief foray into politics, you returned to the practice of law, where your leadership skills led to a series of appointments with Chubb Corporation, culminating in your being named as the Corporation President. Throughout your distinguished professional career, you contributed your time and expertise to a variety of charitable, non-profit and government organizations, notably among them your two Benedictine alma maters. “The quality of life for the citizens of New Jersey was enhanced by your participation on the boards of Saint Barnabas Health Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and New Jersey Future, the state’s leading smart growth policy body. You have modeled the Hallmarks of a Benedictine education throughout your professional and personal life including the virtues of discipline, humility, stewardship, stability and hospitality. You and your wife, Mary, have raised your family in concert with these same values. And it was your widely recognized reputation for honesty and integrity that led to your most recent appointment by New Jersey’s Governor as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as you once again answered the call to public service. “For serving as a model of the inherent value of a personalized education in the Benedictine tradition, we are honored to present the degree Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, to you, John J. Degnan, this seventh day of May, two thousand sixteen.”
—Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., Ph.D., President, May 7, 2016
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1 government official and corporate executive. In 1981, at the youthful age of 30, he made an unsuccessful bid for governor of New Jersey with the endorsement of incumbent Governor Brendan Byrne. Degnan noted his wife Mary told him he was lucky to lose and decided elective office might not be for him. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about in setting goals and taking risks to achieve them even when they lead to disappointment. I hope there are a lot of you in this class with high aspirations about your own futures!
Alumnus John J. Degnan challenged Saint Vincent College 2016 graduates to “take chances in your life, reach high in building your families, your careers and your faith. “Embrace risk,” Degnan said at the 170th annual commencement, “but in doing so stay faithful to the values and instincts that you have developed in your life based on your families and your education. And, when you make a mistake or regret some decision, accept the virtue of mercy.” Degnan, a classmate of President Brother Norman Hipps, has had a distinguished career as a lawyer, public servant,
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upon our children all that we “I arrived in Latrobe in have learned the hard way September 1962, never mbrace risk, but in so that you do not have to having seen the school, and learn those lessons yourthe first of my five siblings doing so stay faithful to go away to college,” selves. But, of course, that is Degnan said. “Room, board not possible. All we can do is to the values and instincts and tuition were only $1,800 share our perspectives and that you have developed then but a partial scholarpray that you will stay faithful to your core values as you go ship made my arrival that in your life based on your through life.” day possible. Saint Vinfamilies and your education. Degnan focused his recent became a central and seminal part of my life. I was And, when you make a mistake marks on Pope Francis and welcomed, educated and his global imprint as well as or regret some decision, provided a climate and culhis example of how to live a meaningful life. “It is mercy ture that allowed me to grow accept the virtue of mercy.” we should seek, and should intellectually, physically and —John J. Degnan grant, for the mistakes we spiritually. I got into Harvard make and the wrongs done Law School by virtue of my to us,” he said. He added that education here. And, perhe was struck by the similarities of the world he faced in haps most important of all, I left here with values which 1966 and the one graduates face in 2016. have sustained me over the 50 years since.” “Congratulations on the success reflected in your graduDegnan said that not long before his graduation from Harvard, he speculated with a professor that if, at some ation today and take the time to celebrate it before you set point, in the distant future, he had to choose between an about the rest of your lives.” invitation to come back to Saint Vincent for an event and —Don Orlando a conflicting one from Harvard, he would choose Saint Vincent. “There was, by the way, no conflicting invitation today 1) John J. Degnan gives the commencement address; but had there been one, I would have been here,” he said. 2) Mary Degnan, Anita Manoli, John J. Degnan; 3) The “In thinking about what to say, I am struck by our difDegnans with Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., and ferent perspectives: you, as young people starting lives guests Janet and George Desko; 4) Dr. James J. Ragan, outside family and school, and me as an older person C’66, D’90; 5-6) graduates at the ceremony; 7) Deacon reflecting about lessons learned in the 50 years of life since David Jones assisted at the baccalaureate Mass. His graduating,” Degnan noted. “I know most of the parents in grandson Patrick graduated in the class of 2016. this audience will join me in wishing that we could divest
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GROUNDBREAKING FOR SCIENCE CENTER EXPANSION
By Don Orlando
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uilding on its historically strong academic programs in the natural sciences, Saint Vincent is targeting the academic fields of biomedical sciences and engineering for future growth and opportunity. The initiation of an engineering science degree program and the development of an integrated science major with an allied health concentration, is enhancing our academic excellence while meeting the changing needs of students and of society. This structure will provide state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to accommodate human anatomy teaching in the biomedical sciences and dedicated space for our growing engineering program.” —Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president
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James F. Will Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall
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onstruction will soon be under way on the $5.3 million James F. Will Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall at Saint Vincent, following a ceremonial groundbreaking and public announcement at the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion this spring.
lor, O.S.B., executive vice president, was master of ceremonies. The two-story, 11,260-square foot structure is the newest addition to the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. The new facility is designed to be an extension of the Pavilion and continues the same exterior architectural vocabulary with the use of a brick veneer, cast stone banding, window detailing and a sloped metal roof. “Building on its historically strong academic programs in the natural sciences, Saint Vincent is targeting the academic fields of biomedical sciences and engineering for future growth and opportunity,” Brother Norman said. “The initiation of an engineering science degree program and the development of an integrated science major with an allied health concentration, is enhancing our academic excellence while meeting the changing needs of students and of society. This structure will provide state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to accommodate human anatomy teaching in the biomedical sciences and dedicated space for our growing engineering program. “The internationally-recognized scientific innovators Her-
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor; Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president; Dr. Stephen Jodis, dean of the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing and Dr. Paul Follansbee, director of the engineering program, were joined by James F. Will, president emeritus of Saint Vincent College; Ralph H. Liberatore, owner of Three Rivers Orthopedic and Spine Inc., and J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Federated Investors Inc. and chair of the Saint Vincent College board of directors. Father Paul R. Tay-
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Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall
James F. Will
Ralph Liberatore
bert W. Boyer and Herman Dupré are graduates of Saint Vincent,” Brother Norman added. “We are honored to carry forward the legacy of their scientific accomplishments through the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing and the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. Affiliation with these scientific pioneers, combined with the teaching excellence of legendary Benedictine faculty members
such as the late Father Joel Lieb, O.S.B., Father Owen Roth, O.S.B., Father Edward Wenstrup, O.S.B., Father Maximilian Duman, O.S.B., and others has significantly elevated the national profile of Saint Vincent and its status as a premier college of the liberal arts and sciences. Contemporary Benedictine faculty members in the sciences such as Father Shawn Anderson, O.S.B., Father Albert Gahr, O.S.B., and Father Michael
Antonacci, O.S.B., will carry that legacy forward. The new building will feature a human anatomy laboratory, two research laboratories, an interdisciplinary classroom and an engineering laboratory. The entire first floor of the building will be dedicated to the human anatomy laboratory and support facilities. The second floor will provide a classroom and laboratories. The human anatomy laboratory will provide high-
Taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony were, from left, Father Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., executive vice president, Saint Vincent College; Dr. James V. Maher Jr., Saint Vincent College Board of Directors; Ralph H. Liberatore, owner of Three Rivers Orthopedic and Spine Inc., and his wife Donna; Zan McKenna Rich, vice chairman, Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation; Mary Ellen Will; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor; James F. Will, president emeritus of Saint Vincent College; J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Federated Investors Inc. and chair of the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors; Linda McKenna Boxx, chair of the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation; Father Warren Murrman, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College Board of Directors; Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president; Dr. Stephen Jodis, dean of the Herbert W. Boyer School; Sam Reiman, associate director, Richard King Mellon Foundation; Dr. Angelo DeMezza, C’69; Dr. Thomas P. Gessner, president, Latrobe Hospital Charitable Foundation, and member of the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors; Matthew Groll, chairman of the Allegheny Foundation.
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tech facilities for anatomical research. The ultramodern laboratory is designed as a flexible space that can accommodate up to six surgical stations in a simulated operating environment. The facility will feature advanced audio and video capabilities, including a teaching station equipped with cameras and monitors to enhance instruction. Support facilities for the human anatomy laboratory will include a technologically-equipped conference room, a lab preparation space, a refrigerated storage area and spacious locker and changing rooms. In addition to providing education and research opportunities for the college’s undergraduate programs, the human anatomy laboratory also will provide critical resources to fulfill the contemporary training needs of
the health professions and medical device suppliers. Undergraduate students enrolled at Saint Vincent will have the opportunity to work as laboratory assistants in this new endeavor. Major private donors to the project include Will, Lib-
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eratore and the Allegheny Foundation. The project will build upon the environmental sustainability standards of the original LEED Gold structure and continue to use a geothermal heating and cooling system, LED lighting and
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have an energy efficient building envelope. General architect for the project is MacLachlan, Cornelius and Filoni of Pittsburgh and project consultant is H.F. Lenz Co. Completion is expected by summer 2017.
Summer 2016
Criminology Students Report To FBI, DEA On Addiction Study D
r. Eric Kocian, assistant professor of criminology, law and society, accompanied his student research group to the Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Pittsburgh this spring where they updated the FBI staff on the results of a study on the root causes of addiction and recovery. Dr. Kocian and the students, who last reDr. Eric Kocian, left, assistant professor of criminology, law and sociported in the fall of 2015, have been conductety, and seven of his students were asked to present findings of their ing interviews with addicts at various stages drug-addiction study to high-ranking Federal Bureau of Investigation of recovery since April. They were asked to (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials and agents present their findings to high-ranking FBI as part of a task force investigation because of the prevalence of heroin and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) use in Westmoreland County. The students included, front, from left, officials and agents as part of a task force investigation because of the prevalence of heroin Samantha Harris, a senior from North Huntingdon; Marie Lotto, a senior from Latrobe; Olivia Matthews, a senior from Greensburg; and use in Westmoreland County. Jada Pannell, a senior from Pittsburgh; back, from left, Chris Winkler, The FBI officials included the Special Agent a junior from South Park, Jacob (Max) Noonan, a senior from Carlisle; in Charge (SAC) for the Pittsburgh FBI Division, Scott Smith; the Assistant Special Agent and Dylan Adams, a junior from Westminster, Maryland. in Charge (ASAC) for the Pittsburgh FBI DiviKocian said that the information the FBI found most usesion, Michael Christman; Acting SSA Joel Compeggie, who ful was that the age of heroin users is getting lower. “It is is in charge of the FBI Fusion Center; David Battiste, DEA imperative that we start focusing on educating high school Special Agent in Charge, Pittsburgh District; and Brian students because they are a fast-growing population in Dempsey, DEA Intelligence Research Specialist. experimentation,” he said. “We also talked about how a lot “We were invited as part of the HOPE (Heroin Outreach of opiate addictions start with pain pills, even when followPrevention and Education) committee which was honoring a prescription, due to using it too long, then abusing ing four different high schools whose students submitted it, and then becoming unable to find any more so they public service announcement videos to raise awareness turn to heroin as a more powerful alternative.” about heroin and opium addiction,” Kocian said. “It was Kocian noted that the students are still in the collection a celebration to honor those students. The FBI officials phase of the study. “We have a few more weeks to go and spoke highly of Saint Vincent and our team and said that are trying to get 150-160, for statistical purposes, so we a lot of their protocols, procedures and focus are a result can have some significance with the variables we are goof some of the research we talked about in September when we presented the initial findings from our study. Our ing to be working with,” he added. The next step is to take this data set, put it into an Excel students’ comments were very well received.” Saint Vincent Magazine
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spreadsheet, and run it through SPSS. “I met with my dis- who are still suffering with addiction to help bring them sertation chair, Dr. John Lewis, from IUP (Indiana Universi- toward recovery.” While the primary goal of the study is to address the ty of Pennsylvania) to look at how we are going to do that, growing problem of drug abuse in the county, there is how to code them,” he said. “We are trying to take these also a benefit to the students who are participating in this responses and give them a quantitative value to run the regression analysis. A member of the Westmoreland Coun- project. “The students are getting a tremendous education in ty Detectives Bureau spoke to me about heroin overdose real life situations, as they are speaking to people in the and trying to figure out what we can do in the county to heart of addiction and recovery and applying everything stop these overdose deaths. It was the collaboration that they have learned in all of their courses at Saint Vincent resulted from the two of us talking to people in recovery to see what led them down the path to addiction and what to these situations and making good, sound policy recwill help the recovery process. ommendations to people in the FBI, DEA, and others in “The SVC department of criminology is really on the law enforcement as well as community outreach,” Kocian cutting edge of this,” Kocian said. “There is nothing like noted. “I cannot think of any individuals more prepared for this being done anywhere else, no literature that looks at graduate school than these seven students; they put this addicts to this extent.” survey together looking at flaws, inconsistencies and how Kocian said the most important thing people need to to place and phrase the questions. Any of them looking know is that there is a misplaced social stigma about this for work or education in this field will be well prepared in problem. areas relating to national and local security. “People should know it is more of a disease than a “Our research team members are tremendous represenchoice,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve spoken to one pertatives of our institution,” Kocian said. “All of the entities on this HOPE committee, including the FBI and DEA, view son who said this is the path they wanted to be on. A lot them as professionals in the field, as do I, as they have of people said that they turned to heroin as a result of listened to very difficult narratives from people and mainpain or an addiction to pain pills that may have followed prescription. It is not as much of a choice as we like to tained their professionalism. They’ve adopted this study as think since the options are very limited to people at this their own. They don’t care about the grade or credit hours stage. For example, we have spoken to mothers in their and they have taken this project and run with it. They fuel 30s and 40s with great lives who have had knee or back each other and me and vice versa so everyone helps the surgery, but something with the pain pills led them down others up. It’s been a tremendous partnership and I have this path. When the prescription runs out, they turn to learned a lot from them as well.” family, friends and people in the streets to buy from other —Don Orlando sources. When this becomes too expensive, they turn to heroin because they cannot function without these opiates.” The Saint Vincent students have already conducted more than 400 hours of interviews which are all being transcribed for further study. “We have a survey packet we follow and write the responses to. Also, we ask them to evaluate certain Dr. Eric Kocian, right, assistant professor of criminology, law and society and Dr. factors in their lives while Bruce Antkowiak, left, professor of law, counsel to Saint Vincent College and Archabbey they were addicted such and director of the criminology, law and society program, and four of the criminology as the importance of famstudents who conducted a research project on the causes of addiction, had an opporily, religion, employment, at tunity to meet Governor Tom Wolf, center, when he was on campus June 3 conductthe heart of their addiction. ing a roundtable discussion with area legislators, public service officials and education Then, we compare them to representatives regarding prevention of opiod abuse and improving access to addiction their responses during their treatment programs in Pennsylvania. The students were, from left, Dylan Adams of recovery so we can promote Westminster, Maryland; Olivia Matthews of Greensburg; Jada Pannell of Pittsburgh; and something to the people Chris Winkler of South Park. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Saying Farewell, But Not Quite Goodbye
Distinguished McKenna Professor BECOMES “Emeritus” By Kim Metzgar
Many alumni think of Saint Vincent and their classmates as family. In Pete Hutchinson’s case, some of his classmates were family—literally. In recounting how a teenager from Jersey ended up choosing a college in Latrobe, Hutchinson said his decision was easy—he just followed his brother, John. Older by a year, John had somehow found out about Saint Vincent, and Pete recalled him coming home and talking about his experiences there. A third brother, Tom, entered the class of 1969. Another brother, Joseph, graduated in 1977. Dr. Pete Hutchinson, professor emeritus, Class of 1968.
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“I applied, and was fortunate to receive a scholarship. I was the second oldest of seven kids. It felt right,” Pete Hutchinson said. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics, summa cum laude, and a master of arts degree and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught economics at Bowling Green State University for 26 years and also worked in administration there before returning to Saint Vincent in 1997 to take a position as dean of institutional advancement because it “felt right.” Now retiring, a “bittersweet time,” he said, he plans to remain in the area and in touch with Saint Vincent. Hutchinson had been serving as associate vice president of academic affairs at Bowling Green and had an interview at a nearby Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., and Dr. John Smetanka presenting Dr. university in his search for a job as a vice Pete Hutchinson with the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. president or a provost. While driving by on the way to an interview he stopped to chat me,” said Hutchinson. News of his pending retirement with Father Martin Bartel, then college president, and had reached McKenna School alumni via an e-newsletter, Brother Norman Hipps, the current president, who was and he had been receiving notes throughout the week provost at the time. Father Martin offered him the job from former students wishing him well. in institutional advancement—including fund raising— “Hospitality permeates this place,” he said. “I felt it as something Hutchinson said was “out of my comfort zone. But because it was Saint Vincent, I felt it was something a student, as an alumnus and as a professor.” His class of 1968 has remained in touch with one I could sell. I felt I could make a difference.” another, he said, thanks to classmate Clyde Smith, who He spent five years in that position and when James Will became president he began reorganizing the college “kept track of everybody prior to the internet. He wasn’t satisfied with just a reunion every five years. We had a into four schools. Hutchinson saw a job in economics 50th birthday party when we all turned 50, then a 60th that “looked like it was written for me.” party, a millennium party. We all remained close.” So it was back to the classroom. Hutchinson recalled the late Father Ronald Gorka, “From the fall of 2002 to the present, Dr. Hutchinson O.S.B., for whom the class established a scholarship, as taught 2,261 students,” noted Dr. Gary Quinlivan, dean being very influential in their lives, as were Father Arof the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics mand Jean Baldwin, O.S.B., who chaired the economics and Government, “in Statistics I, Statistics II, Interand political science departments, Father Callistus Milan, mediate Microeconomics, Econometrics, Principles of O.S.B., Father Maurice Rudiselle, O.S.B., and many othEconomics and Public Finance. The economics students ers. “We were very well prepared for life after gradualoved him.” tion.” His economics students have done especially well in That tradition of keeping in contact has continued with graduate school, with Quinlivan noting that 17 completstudents Hutchinson has taught. He said one particular ed doctoral programs in statistics and economics, three group from the class of 2010 has been especially good completed J.D. programs, and five finished either the about maintaining contact, and he has enjoyed attendM.B.A., M.P.A., or M.S. program at top-ranked schools. ing events, such as a Pirates game, with them. HutchinHutchinson received the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014, which recognizes excellence in teach- son, who is now “professor emeritus,” plans more travel with his wife, Ginny, including more visits to their sons ing, dedicated service to students and commitment to Benedictine values. Nominations are made for the award Chris and Brian, and their grandchildren in the midwest, a European river cruise and a return to Ireland. between five to seven years after graduation. Students “But I will still be around. I am originally from Jersey, noted he cared deeply about them, made them earn but I’m a certified ‘Yinzer’ now.” their grades and challenged them. “The last week of classes was a very difficult week for Saint Vincent Magazine
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Legacy:
By Kathryn Klawinski
Dr. Wissolik Retires
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fter nearly fifty years spent at Saint Vincent College, Dr. Richard Wissolik, professor of English, retired from his post this spring. Wissolik began teaching at Saint Vincent as an instructor in the English Department in 1968. Prior to the beginning of his career in higher education, he was an instructor at Central Catholic High School for two years and worked with Catholic Relief Services in Nairobi, Kenya, in East Africa from 1964 to 1967. In Nairobi, he was involved in nutrition initiatives, famine relief and socio-economic self-help projects and worked with clergy and government officials to improve the quality of life in those areas. Upon arrival in Latrobe, Wissolik founded the Saint Vincent Community Camerata, a choral ensemble, a group that still performs today. He also directed a variety of musical, theatrical and multi-media productions. He was the advisor and moderator of various clubs, including the Lens and Shutter Club, the Tower Yearbook, International Students Advisory Board, the Saint Vincent College Review, Generation, Club Hockey and English Club. In 1991, Wissolik, Dr. Ronald Tranquilla and Father Warren Murrman, O.S.B., founded the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies, which “seeks to document the heritage of the multi-faceted region of Northern Appalachia using the tools provided by a variety of disciplines and communityoriented projects.” The Center focuses on Western Pennsylvania to explore and preserve the history and experiences of the past and present history of the area through collaboration with community members. In 2009, the Center was given the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations Executive Director’s Charles H. Glatfelter Award for “Publications and Contributions to Pennsylvania History.” Students and faculty members involved in the center have the opportunity to collect oral histories from veterans, teachers, coal miners and persons from different ethnic communities to create publications such as The Jewish Community of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: A Collection of Oral Histories; A Mile in Their Shoes: The Oral Histories of Pennsylvania Veterans, Vietnam Conflict; Out of the Kitchen: Women in the Armed Services and on the Home Front; A Place in the Sky: A History of the Arnold Palmer Airport; and They Say There Was a War: The Personal Accounts of American Veterans in World War II. The list of scholarly publications and presentations by Wissolik includes a variety of journals and lectures. He has been a Fellow at the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies and The Center for Medieval Renaissance Dr. Richard Wissolik, yearbook photo, 1968, and grading his last batch of papers, 2016.
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Students at California State University at Long Beach, and was the recipient of the Westmoreland County Historical Society/University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Arthur St. Clair Historical Preservation Award. Wissolik taught a variety of courses, primarily in English, but also venturing into the fine arts and education. These include Medieval Studies, Shakespeare, Language and Rhetoric, Modern British Literature, The Epic, African Studies, Photojournalism and Modern Satire. One of his courses most coveted by students is Faces of Battle: War and Peace in History, Literature and the Arts, an interdisciplinary course. Students explore the history of war in all aspects, including attitudes, archetypes, technology, vice and virtue, women and strategies. While much of the material is studied through the lens of literature, what makes the course unique is the inclusion of veterans from different wars and eras who share their experiences each week. Mitch Farrell, C 18, had heard about Faces of Battle and requested to reserve a seat as a freshman because he has a passion for military history. After completing the course, he sat in on it for a second year and gave presentations both years. “I believe it’s the most valuable course that Saint Vincent offers. It’s so important that we know about our nation’s history and the brave people who defend us. Meeting veterans and hearing their stories was amazing. My hat is off to Dr. Wissolik and his crew for working so hard to tell the stories of our local veterans. He has inspired me to do the same and has taught me how to truly connect to our country’s heroes.” What Wissolik will ultimately be remembered for is his crazy stories and antics. His office was always filled with current and former students who hung around to hear the same stories over and over, especially about the classes from 1968 to 1972 when he was a new professor. There is the one tale about Archabbot Egbert Donovan, whose oral history Wissolik recorded. The late archabbot, who never missed a Camerata show, sent notes to faculty members and always wrote Dick in his notes to Wissolik, but called him either George or Bob in person—and no one knows why. Then there were the cows from the monastery farm put into the nun’s kitchen at night by students wanting to protest the food—one of which [cow, not student] was slaughtered on the spot. And the dean who banned the decorating of the Boniface Wimmer statue on Saint Patrick’s Day. Instead the students painted the dean’s office windows—inside and out—green. Only the secretary and Wissolik, of course, knew the identities of the culprits. Wissolik tells these stories and many more with delight, because he knows so many and has been entrusted by students and faculty members alike to preserve these oral histories along with the more official histories he collects. One of his specialties, according to English Department Chairman Dr. Dennis McDaniel, is Wissolik’s ability to mentor students from freshmen in college to graduate school. Saint Vincent Magazine
, C’99; left, Gary Smith m fro , ith w ik ol Dr. Richard Wiss ger, C’99, all d Dr. Eric Greisin an ; 96 C’ , es ilm David W lachian Studies. r Northern Appa fo er nt Ce e th editors at McDaniel was a student and work study for Wissolik from his freshman year of college until his graduation in 1979. “He took interest in me as a freshman and immediately put me to work annotating articles, composing correspondences and doing research work beyond what I thought I could do. After graduation, he kept in touch with me through grad school and then helped me to find a position at Saint Vincent. I owe him a great deal. He is passionate about art, music and literature. They speak to him profoundly, which showed me that if I wanted to be successful in this profession, I had to have the same passion and openness to the beauty and sound of the written word.” “Dr. Wissolik understands the value of education inside and outside of the classroom. I learned more about myself and about life from working with him for two years than I did through any type of organized study. Working with the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies allowed me to witness first hand the healing power of the work Dr. Wissolik did with veterans and how dedicated he is to making history real and lasting,” said Kathryn Ordiway, C’16, his most recent work study. The deep office on the fourth floor of Placid Hall was always filled with visitors and the sound of Wissolik reciting works and stories. McDaniel, whose office is across the hall, says that though Wissolik will be missed, he won’t be absent. “I will miss Dick terribly. He has read and heard everything, so we can almost speak a secret language in the code of Shakespeare, Sinatra, Bob Dylan, and Breaking Bad. It has been a great gift to have him as a colleague.” Wissolik, though no longer teaching, will continue his involvement in the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies. Though his deep voice and constant scholarship will be missed in the classroom, his presence will continue to be felt by students for years to come. 17
Summer 2016
Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award Given To Dr. Ent
Dr. Veronica I. Ent, second from left, associate professor and chairperson of education and graduate program director of education in the School of Social Sciences, Communication and Education, accepts the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award from Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., left, president. At right are Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, and Dr. Steven J. Gravelle, associate professor of chemistry and president of the faculty council. Dr. Veronica I. Ent, associate professor and chairperson of education and graduate program director in the School of Social Sciences, Communication and Education, was honored with the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award at the spring honors convocation. Named for the founder of Saint Vincent and the pioneer of Benedictine monasti-
cism in the United States, the award recognizes a senior faculty member for sustained excellence. “Dr. Ent’s educational research spans the pedagogical spectrum from work on web-based and computer learning to examining the one-room school house,” said Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “She has pioneered hybrid learning in both her own courses and the curriculum of the education programs. Never shying away from innovation, Dr. Ent was one of the first faculty members to use the resources of the Fred Rogers Archive for the development of teaching modules and a template Fred Rogers lesson plan. She is a frequent presenter and reviewer for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Besides her work preparing the next generation of teachers she was the founder and serves as the coach of the Saint Vincent equestrian team. She shares her love for horses with students, some who have never ridden, each Friday afternoon.” “I must thank my students for what they give to me,” Ent said. “They make each day an inspiration. It is an honor to be part of their lives. I also thank and recognize my hardworking education faculty for their steadfast support because without them none of my contributions would have been possible.” —Don Orlando
Dr. Urick Receives Quentin Schaut Award
Dr. Michael Urick, second from left, accepts the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award from Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., left, president. At right are Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, and Dr. Steven Gravelle, associate professor of chemistry and president of the faculty council. Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, assistant professor of management and director of the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence (MSMOE) program in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government, received the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award at the spring honors convocation. The award is named for Father Quentin Schaut, Saint Vincent Magazine
O.S.B., a professor of English and the seventh president of the College. It recognizes the contributions, leadership and achievements of a junior faculty member to the curriculum and life of the College. “In only his fourth year as a faculty member, Dr. Urick has quickly established himself as a leader on campus,” said Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “He is the graduate director of the Management: Operational Excellence Program, overseeing growing enrollment and innovation in the curriculum and its delivery. Teaching both graduate and undergraduate students, Dr. Urick challenges and motivates them with a style that you would expect from a jazz musician. Mashing up pop culture and literature with management and leadership theory, his classes are both lively and inspiring.” “Students point to his great energy, tactful humor and approachability,” Smetanka said. “For instance, Dr. Urick enjoys greeting each student at the door as they enter. The same passion for understanding the human interactions that result in effective management and leadership clearly drives him to create highly effective learning experiences for his students.” —Don Orlando 18
Summer 2016
William Thomas, C’00: Understand Journey, Have Plan
Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., right, presents the President’s Award for 2016 to Helena M. Shoplik.
Helena Shoplik Named 2016 Winner Of President’s Award Helena M. Shoplik, a psychology major and children’s studies minor from Pittsburgh, has been named the 42nd annual winner of the President’s Award, Saint Vincent’s highest student honor, presented to the member of the graduating class who best embodies what the college values in its students—outstanding academic achievement, student leadership and community service. Shoplik has been active as a member of the women’s varsity lacrosse team and captain for two years, vice president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a eucharistic minister for Campus Ministry. A member of the College Honors Program, she is a member and treasurer of Psi Chi national honor society in psychology, member of the psychology honors program, member of Alpha Lambda Delta for excellent academic achievement in her freshman year, member of Alpha Chi honor society and the Dean’s List. A Fred Rogers Scholar, she was also recognized as a member of Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. A recipient of an A. J. Palumbo Student Research Endowment grant, she received a summer research grant in 2015 from the Association for Psychological Science and presented her research at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in 2015. Shoplik has been a volunteer for Sports Friendship Day and the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood planetarium shows and has participated in the National March for Life for three years. She will attend the University of Maryland and pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology. Saint Vincent Magazine
William R. Thomas, C’00, executive director of advisory services for Ernst and Young, and a former Pittsburgh community activist, told members of the senior class and their families to “be the exception and know when you should re-write the rules” at the spring honors convocation. “Understand the journey to living our purpose and have a plan for career happiness,” he said. “When I use the term exceptional, I’m using it in the basic sense of the word. Simply it means being the exception. And being the exception can be defined as knowing when we need to re-write the rules that have been presented to us. “I say that because living an exceptional life is defined by tapping into the fullness of who we are, our knowledge, experiences and abilities and taking ownership in crafting a path or set of paths that will allow us to do that most effectively. It’s re-thinking how we interface with the world and the institutions of society. Our jobs and careers are just one part of our ecosystem but there are other facets of our environment. So given the multi-faceted nature of our environment, it would be a crime to try to fit ourselves into one part of the ecosystem and expect that it would successfully bear the burden of you realizing your full potential and purpose.” Thomas attended Pittsburgh Central Catholic as a Crossroads Scholarship Foundation Scholar, graduating in 1996. At Saint Vincent, he studied chemistry then changed to business administration, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in accounting, with high honor. He earned a master of accountancy degree from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business in 2001.
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Taking part in “The New Evangelization and Higher Education: The Vision of Pope Francis” at Saint Vincent College were front, from left, Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., president; Bishop Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of Greensburg; Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington; Dr. Carolyn Woo, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Relief Services; Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and founder of the award winning “Word on Fire” Catholic Ministries; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor of Saint Vincent College; back, from left, Msgr. Vincent Krische, senior advisor, Petrus Development; Msgr. Ray East, former director, Office of Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Washington; Claudia Herrera, (Ph. D cand.) director of campus ministry at Saint Thomas University, Miami, Florida; Dr. William Portier, professor of theology, Dayton University; Dr. James V. Maher, Jr., provost emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; and Marcel LeJeune, assistant director of campus ministry, Texas A&M.
The New Evangelization and Higher Education The Vision of Pope Francis
On May 23-25, Saint Vincent College hosted a national conference on “The New Evangelization and Higher Education: The Vision of Pope Francis.” The keynote speakers for the conference included Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and founder of the award winning “Word on Fire” Catholic Minis-
tries and Dr. Carolyn Woo, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The conference also included six impact speakers who focused on specific contemporary challenges facing the New Evangelization and higher education in the
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United States. The impact speakers included Claudia Herrera, (Ph. D cand.) director of campus ministry at Saint Thomas University in Miami, Florida; Dr. William Portier, professor of theology, Dayton University; Dr. James V. Maher, provost emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Msgr. Ray East, former director, Office of Black Catholics, Archdiocese of Washington; Msgr. Vincent
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Krische, senior advisor, Petrus Development; and Marcel LeJeune, assistant director of campus ministry, Texas A&M. CARDINAL DONALD WUERL
At the opening of the conference, Cardinal Wuerl spoke about the profound impact that Pope Francis has had both within the Church and in the wider, socially and ethnically diverse cultures beyond the Church. Summer 2016
Pope Francis, according to Cardinal Wuerl, has approached the Church and the world from the perspective of a pastor who continually raises the question “What does Christ bring to the world today?” The challenge of Pope Francis to the Church has been “go out to all the world” especially to the marginal and poor and proclaim the good news of mercy, compassion, love to all of those who are in need of Christ’s healing presence. Cardinal Wuerl noted that “the traditional Christian way of life that is reflected in the knowledge of the difference between right and wrong, virtue and God’s law, etc., appears to have been ‘eclipsed by the secularism and moral relativism that have washed across our western culture in recent decades.’ This dramatic shift has taken with it most of “the foundational markers that have historically defined our culture and society, such as family, marriage, objective right and wrong, obligations to one another, the common good.” All of these traditional markers have been eclipsed by the secularism which now dominates our culture and society. It is within the context of this background that Pope Francis calls us to a “Year of Mercy” and a renewed engagement in the New Evangelization. Regarding the vision of Pope Francis and the New Evangelization, Cardinal Wuerl noted that “Pope Francis contin-
ues in the tradition of his predecessors—Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis, according to the Cardinal, calls the Church to witness to the Good News of Jesus by our actions as much as our words—not just to announce the Good News, but to do the work of evangelization through the action of “accompanying others on their journey of faith.” He noted that this “accompanying” is especially important for those involved in campus ministry since it is at this period in one’s life that young people struggle with discerning what would give them meaning in life. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis notes that “universities are outstanding environments for articulating and developing this
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evangelizing commitment in an interdisciplinary and integrated way.” Pope Francis offers a three fold challenge: “go forth,” “encounter,” and “accompany.” “Going forth” involves going out from one’s comfort zone to engage others in a compassionate manner to be open to the transformative encounter with the Risen Lord. We accomplish this mission of “going out and encountering” by accompanying others on their journey of faith. “The Church which goes forth is a community of missionary disciples… who bear fruit and rejoice,” according to Pope Francis. Cardinal Wuerl noted that “What we bring in going forth, encountering and accompanying are ‘the foundation blocks’ that need to be a part of the New Evangelization.” These foundation blocks include: 1) a clear 21
understanding of who we are as human beings in relationship with God and a recognition that we are in need of a Savior as a result of the Fall (anthropological), 2) a recognition that Jesus Christ is that Savior (Christological), 3) a recognition that it is in the Church that we encounter the Savior (ecclesiological), and 4) and an understanding that some day the Kingdom will be realized in glory (soteriological). Cardinal Wuerl concluded his presentation on “the vision of Pope Francis” by identifying the four characteristics of the “new evangelist who is committed to living the faith and is prepared to explain the faith in action and in words.” These characteristics include 1) courage and boldness as reflected among the disciples in the Acts of the Apostles, 2) a connectedness to the Church— the Body of Christ, 3) a sense of urgency that it is now our moment—that the proclaiming of the Good News that Jesus is risen is the responsibility of this generation just as it has been the responsibility of every previous generation and a realization that no one will fulfill this task if we don’t do our part now, and finally 4) the New Evangelization embodies the joy of the Gospel. “For the Church, it is a new moment—a new Pentecost; Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.” Summer 2016
DR. CAROLYN WOO
Regarding the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, Dr. Woo observed that the Holy Father had earned “the moniker affectionately given to him, the ‘People’s Pope’... He is the ‘Holy Father’ to everyone.” She noted that “he directs his message of God’s limitless love and mercy to all, including prisoners, and the lowliest in society. There is no ‘they’ in his lexicon.” Speaking from her experience as a young foreignborn student from Hong Kong who began her first days in the United States at an institution of higher education at Purdue University, Dr. Woo presented a personal reflection on the importance of campus ministry programs at both public and Catholic universities. Young students arrive from a variety of diverse social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and
have to begin to process some of the “big questions” of life as they work to integrate themselves into the new and perplexing environment of higher education. They discover early on that the new environment of higher education is both overtly and covertly hostile. Competiton, achievement, social status provide for some major personal challenges. It’s also a time when young students transition from the cocoon of a supportive and affirming home environment to the realities of the world of higher education where they also seek to deal with such growth issues as personal self identity, social status, career goals, professional identity, decision-making, friendship and relationships of all sorts. All of these challenges, she said, need to be met in a context that is often not very welcoming. It is a time when
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they leave home and are away from their families as they try to make their way in the world. Who am I? Is there a place for me in this world? What is my purpose? Is goodness real or is it every person for himself or herself? Is God real? Who can I count on? What can I count on?
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Dr. Woo cited some data from the 2015 UCLA annual review of freshmen which indicated that nearly 30 percent of U.S. freshman students are on some form of psychotropic drugs, 10 percent are chemically depressed, with over one thousand suicides on U.S. cam-
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puses in 2015, along with an epidemic of sexual assault, and substance abuse problems and nearly 70 percent of students admitting to cheating. She also noted that what was notably absent in the lives of many young students is a strong sense of belonging, with many students
reporting that their “Facebook friends” were more real than “real friends.” In reviewing experiential reports of young students on U.S. campuses, she remarked that “it’s hard to conclude that God is real for these young students when we see so much fragility and vulnerability and
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anxiety in their lives.” Dr. Woo noted that there is a sense of urgency for campus ministry programs in responding to the challenges of our young students at our nation’s colleges and universities. The faith is passed from one generation to the next by people. Campus ministry programs have a unique and important role in helping students to grow in awareness that they are loved and cherished by God. Our task is to help our young people to answer some of these foundational questions they seek to answer for themselves. We can help them to flourish in their lives by mentoring and guiding them in their life’s journeys. We accomplish this task by being instruments of God’s loving presence through our words of encouragement, and hope, love and joy we extend to them. The years of higher education
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represent an important time in the lives of young people. It is a time to engage young people to understand the relationship between profession and vocation—to help them to understand the relationship between faith and reason. We can best undertake the task of mentoring our young students on college campuses by the joy we reflect in helping them to understand that the journey of faith is not a journey we make alone, she said. We are “the people of God” journeying together. God charges us to go forth. There is an urgency in the call of Pope Francis for all of us to become “missionary disciples.” Because we are charged by God to go forth, we can be confident that God will have an incredible effect on the lives of those young people whom we welcome to journey with us.
Summer 2016
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
Expanding upon the themes outlined by Cardinal Wuerl and Dr. Woo, Bishop Barron spoke of the need for a “new apologetics” that goes with the New Evangelization. The new apologetics focuses on articulating the beauty of the faith. The social and cultural issues which divide our world and the Church are immense. These issues along with the damage caused by the sex abuse scandal in the Church have caused tremendous damage to the faith of the people of God. The college years are a particularly vulnerable time for young people, since it is at this period in the life cycle that one seriously discerns what values are to be integrated into one’s worldview and how one’s behavior and
lifestyle will reflect this worldview. Noting that the traditional values of our culture and society have undergone a dramatic shift in recent years and that a lot of young people leave the Church during the college years, presenting the beauty of the faith is particularly challenging in the face of the many voices competing for the hearts and minds of young people, particularly in the environment of higher education where religion is often cast in the mold of “antiquated superstition.” Bishop Barron identified five major areas that frequently become the “stumbling blocks” for young people regarding faith. These areas include: 1) a deep misunderstanding of God; 2) a deep misunderstanding of the Bible (i.e., often portrayed
in academia and the media as a collection of prescientific fairy tales); 3) a deep misunderstanding of Christianity’s reglationship to science (i.e., religion is often presented as opposed to scientific inquiry rather than a complimentary process); 4) a deep misunderstanding that religion is violent—an attitude revived in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The violence that we see in the scriptural texts has to be understood in the context of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, love and hate. The violence of the cross of Jesus Christ was overcome by the love which Christ poured out in imagining his life for the sake of our redemption; and 5) a misunderstanding regarding the Church’s teachings on human sexu-
DR. WILLIAM PORTIER “Curriculum and Catholic Identity and Limits.” The challenge from Pope Francis for the Church to engage in the New Evangelization in higher education requires a faculty steeped in the Catholic intellectual tradition and a curriculum that reflects that tradition. To achieve these goals, recruitment of “mission friendly” faculty and administrators is essential. For Pope Francis, the New Evangelization means dialogue and encounter. Personal witness is the foundation for the New Evangelization. Saint Vincent Magazine
ality. Bishop Barron concluded his presentation by encouraging those who are involved with campus ministry to take up the challenge presented by the five areas that are fraught with misunderstanding and develop programs that can help students come to a fuller understanding of the meaning of a relationship with God in their lives, on how to read the Bible, on involving scientists who believe in helping students understand the dialectic between science and religion, on how to interpret the violence we see in the scriptures or in religion and also a program which provides a fuller underrstanding of the Church’s teachings on the theology of the body and human sexuality.
MONSIGNOR VINCENT KRISCHE “The Finances of Campus Ministry.” Pope Francis has noted that material and spiritual conditions lead to a solid basis for the full development of the promise in each young person’s life.
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MONSIGNOR RAY EAST “Inculturation of the Faith.” Pope Francis has called for educational itineraries that enable “Catholic identity to encounter the various souls of multicultural society.” A strong Catholic identity can provide a good moral compass for engaging the social, cultural and political issues of our age.
CLAUDIA HERRERA “Campus Ministry: A Place for All God’s Children.” The words of Pope Francis inspire us to provide a place of God’s mercy and hope at our institutions of higher education “where all feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged.” Providing an environment of welcome and spiritual encounter is the foundational building block for the outreach to Hispanic and all students engaged in higher education.
MARCEL LEJEUNE “Missionary Discipleship and the Public University.” A personal, daily commitment to prayer is the foundation for the New Evangelization. The new evangelizer encounters the transforming power of God’s grace in prayer. Prayer is simply “being with the Lord.” The fruits of prayer are manifested in the awareness of God’s presence with us on the journey of faith.
DR. JAMES V. MAHER, JR. “The New Evangelization: The Dialogue Between Science and Faith.” Science and religion use different methodologies in looking at reality. There is no intrinsic conflict between the two. Conflicts generally arise from ethical issues which run contrary to certain religious beliefs. Religious educators need to respect the science-based orientations of students today when engaging them in evangelization. Science needs a moral compass if society is to benefit. Good science is also good religion and vice versa.
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Summer 2016
FALL THRESHOLD LECTURES STEVEN JOHNSON
RABBI ABRAHAM SKORKA CARDINAL DONALD WUERL
“How We Got To Now.” Introduction: Dr. Herbert Boyer, C’58 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 13 Fred M. Rogers Center Steven Johnson is the author of the bestsellers Where Good Ideas Come From, The Invention of Air, The Ghost Map, Everything Bad is Good for You and Mind Wide Open, as well as Emergence and Interface Culture.
Catholic-Jewish Dialogue: A Tribute To Rabbi Jason Edelstein 7 p.m., Thursday, November 3
‘Pope’s Rabbi’ Abraham Skorka and Cardinal Donald Wuerl will lead a group of Jewish rabbis and Catholic theologians in a Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate.
FREE ADMISSION. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: THRESHOLD@STVINCENT.EDU.
Bronder Prize Awarded
Chinese pianist Fei-Fei Dong, center, received the 2015-16 Bronder Prize for Piano from Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., left, president, and Ann S. Holmes, director of the College Concert Series. The presentation was made in conjunction with her performance in the series. Dong, winner of the 2014 Concert Artists Guild’s Victor Elmaleh Competition and a top six finalist at the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, earned bachelor and master of music degrees at the Juilliard School. The Bronder Prize honors the founder of the Concert Series, the late Rev. Joseph Bronder, O.S.B., a concert pianist, piano instructor, classical music presenter and priest.
Special Guests At Concert Series
Several special guests attended the spring Concert Series solo recital by pianist Vivian Choi, center. Saint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., right, welcomed Nancy Rogers Crozier, Dr. Daniel Crozier Jr. and Joanne Byrd Rogers at a reception following the concert. Choi’s program included Variations on a Theme of Chopin, an original composition by the late Fred Rogers, and an original work by Rogers’ nephew, Dr. Crozier, professor of music theory and composition at Rollins College Department of Music, Florida. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Summer 2016
Nearly 300 persons attended a Threshold Series talk by British Broadcasting Corporation broadcaster and papal biographer David Willey, second from left. Welcoming him were, from left, Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president; WTAE-TV News Anchor Mike Clark, who introduced Willey; and Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.
Transportation Secretary Visits Pictured at right, Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Leslie Richards, on the left, visited the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media to tour the center and its exhibits. Welcoming her were Rogers Center Archivist Emily Uhrin, center, and Karen Struble Myers, development and communications director. Also participating in the visit was PennDOT District 12 Executive Joseph Szczur.
Papal Author Gives Lecture British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcaster, David Willey, author of The Promise of Francis, spoke as
part of the Threshold Lecture Series April 13. The title of his talk was “Francis at the Vatican: A Pope for Our
Times.” Willey has reported for BBC from Rome since 1971 under five Popes: Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis I. He is the corporation’s longest-serving foreign correspondent. He also broadcasts about the Vatican for NPR, CBC, ABC in Australia, Deutsche Welle Radio and TV in Berlin and Swiss and Austrian Radio. Willey has accompanied three successive popes on some 60 of their worldwide journeys. His articles have appeared in The Tablet, The Observer (London) and the Sunday Telegraph. In 2004 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to broadcast journalism.
Lawrence Hendrick of Ligonier, center, director of the facilities management office, was honored with a Saint Vincent College Student Government Association Award at the spring honors convocation on April 20 in the Basilica. Presenting the award were Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., left, president, and Peter Reiter, president of the SGA Executive Board. Hendrick has been employed at Saint Vincent for 29 years. His wife of 33 years, Cherie, was in attendance for the presentation. They are parents of two children, Jennifer, C’09, and Jacob, C’13.
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Summer 2016
SUMMER THEATRE GALA FRIDAY, JULY 8 • gourmet food • fellowship • professional theatre
COLE: AN ENTERTAINMENT BASED ON THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF COLE PORTER For details call: 724-805-2901 Karl and Carmen Eisaman, chairs of the 27th annual Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Gala, and Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Artistic Director Greggory Brandt, discuss plans for the gala, which benefits the Theatre Program at Saint Vincent.
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R & L Development Company & First Commonwealth Bank, presenting co-sponsors
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Summer 2016
New Boyer Lecture Series
New SGA Officers
The four officers of the Student Government Association Executive Board were installed recently. They are, from left, Josh Vasko, Irwin, a junior bioinformatics major, vice president; Claire Jackman, Strongsville, Ohio, a sophomore majoring in organismal biology, secretary; Peter Reiter, Hagerstown, Maryland, a junior computing and information science major, president; and Nick Anderson, Frederick, Maryland, a junior biochemistry major, treasurer.
Forward: A Boyer School Lecture Series is a new scientific series presented by the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. It is designed to celebrate the diversity of those practicing in the Boyer School’s academic fields and disciplines and to honor the work of College founder Boniface Wimmer who came to the United States to serve the immigrant population of southwestern Pennsylvania. Lectures will be presented annually during the spring semester. The inaugural speaker was Dr. Gregory H. Robinson, Foundation
A Presidential Visit To The McCarl Coverlet Gallery The presidents of nine area corporations were guests of J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Federated Investors Inc. of Pittsburgh on April 20. Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent College, gave a presentation on the Business of Higher Education. Lauren Churilla, center, curator of the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery, provided a tour of the gallery during a break. Participating were, from left, Michael Farrell, Farrell and Co.; Carter Strauss, Strauss Industries; Donahue; R. Joel Coslov, COFAL Partners; Mark Gitomer, The Production Department Ltd.; Donald Detwiler, New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co.; F. James McCarl, McCarl Group; William Rackoff, ASKO Inc.; Alan Guttman, The Guttman Group; R. Lee Hite, The Hite Company; and Brother Norman. Donahue is chairman of the board at Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Georgia. His lecture was “Carbene-Stabilization of Elusive Main Group Oxides.” “The process of carbenestabilization n, discovered in my laboratory, has been used to synthesize a number of highly reactive molecules,” Robinson said. “These experiments resulted in a number of unusual molecules including the first molecular examples of silicon oxides.” Robinson excels as a scholar and as an instructor who demonstrates an outstanding level of commitment to the university and to his field. He represents the University of Georgia with distinction in all that he does. Over the past 25 years, Robinson and his team have published a series of fundamental findings that have reshaped how scientists view chemical bonding in many inorganic compounds. Summer 2016
Aupperle Honored By SGA Rev. Dr. John Aupperle, center, lecturer in theology and a campus minister at Saint Vincent College, was honored with a Saint Vincent College Student
Government Association Award at the college’s spring honors convocation. Presenting the award were Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., left, college
president, and Peter Reiter, president of the SGA Executive Board. Aupperle earned a bachelor of arts degree from Bethany College and bachelor of divinity, master of divinity and doctor of theology degrees from Drew University. He has authored numerous publications about Abraham Lincoln, Jimmy Carter, Billy Graham and Mother Theresa, as well as three hymn texts. A founding member and chairman of United Ministries in Higher Education, he has served as chairman and program director for the Human Resources Educational Consortium of Westmoreland and has chaired a study task force
that researched and wrote the position document of the United Methodist Church concerning the ordination of homosexuals. A member of the Saint Vincent faculty since 1983, he has also lectured at Seton Hill University in the areas of business and organizational ethics. He served several area United Methodist churches including the Baldwin Community United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh. Aupperle was inducted as an honorary member of the Saint Vincent College chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national academic honor society for freshmen, at the group’s initiation service in 2012.
Make a Gift to HELP a student 724-805-2949
Saint Vincent Magazine
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Summer 2016
Members of the 2016 Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship Women’s Softball Team, and coaching staff include Kristin Segiel, a junior outfielder, Murrysville; Courtney Patterson, sophomore shortstop, McKeesport; Mackenzie Gostomski, freshman outfielder, Pittsburgh; Cassidy Uscilowski, junior pitcher and infielder, Maumee, Ohio; Christina Folino, senior third baseman, Pittsburgh; Alexus Fearer, freshman outfielder, Latrobe; Nicole Adisey, freshman infielder and outfielder, Greensburg; Emily Duerr, sophomore pitcher and first baseman, Pittsburgh; Jenna LoVasco, senior catcher, Beverly, Massachusetts; Adrianna Workman, junior outfielder, Plum; Morgan Murphy, freshman outfielder, Churchill; Sarah Swettlen, senior outfielder, Greensburg; Kelsey Hunter, freshman catcher, Pittsburgh; Shelby Noel, sophomore first baseman, Latrobe; Kelly Flaherty, freshman infielder and outfielder, Pittsburgh; Breanne Wallace, junior catcher, Ligonier; Samantha Emert, junior pitcher and infielder, Rockwood; Rachel Harenchar, sophomore infielder, Sharpsville; Kelsey Lineberger, junior third baseman, Olney, Maryland. Head coach is Nicole Hinerman-Karr, assisted by Rich Hinerman and Suzie Cool.
women’S SOFTBALL TEAM WINS FIRST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP honor for Emert, while Noel was honored for the first time. Emert was named the PAC Player of the Year and PAC Tournament MVP. She pitched On May 7, the Saint Vincent softball team all five conference tournament games, including defeated Bethany College to earn the team’s two shutouts against Bethany. Emert only first-ever Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) allowed three earned runs in 37 innings. Softball Championship title. In the tournament, Emert and Swettlen were joined by first the team upset #1 ranked Virginia Wesleyan, baseman Shelby Noel and utility player Emily achieving the first NCAA Tournament win in any sport for Saint Vincent College. Duerr as First-Team All PAC Selections. The PAC The team dropped a pair of games on day two Player of the Year, PAC Coach of the Year and Nicole Hinermanof the tournament to conclude the 2016 season All-PAC teams are determined by a vote of the Karr, C’04 with a 29-15 record. The Bearcats opened the league’s 10 head coaches. Freshman catcher day with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Haverford College. Kelsey Hunter and freshman outfielder Morgan Murphy each Later in the day, Saint Vincent then fell 5-0 in an elimination were members of the All-PAC Second Team. game to #2 ranked Salisbury University. “The team has worked hard this season and everyone has Junior pitcher Samantha Emert and sophomore first contributed to the success we have experienced. I am very proud of them,” said Head Coach Nicole Hinerman-Karr, C’04, baseman Shelby Noel were recognized with National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-Central who was named as PAC coach of the year. During her nine Region honors. Emert and Noel each received Second Team years as head coach, Hinerman-Karr has amassed a 159honors from the NFCA. This is the second straight All-Region 136 overall record. By Kathryn Klawinski
Saint Vincent Magazine
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Summer 2016
From left, Jaylon Bell, Geoff FuQuay, J.C. Howard, Pat Jones, Ben Klimchock, Kyle Rivera, Dan Sinwell and Bobby Swartwout.
By Kim Metzgar
students, will graduate in December. Bell, PAC Player of the Year, has already received an offer to play professional basketball in uccess is important to D.P. Australia, where Dillon Stith, C’14, and Isaac Harris, Saint Vincent’s men’s Turner, C’14, are currently playing. basketball coach, but fresh off a Just as enthusiastically, Harris talks about fourth straight Presidents’ Athletic the success of his former assistants: Conference championship, the • Justin Namolik, G’05, spent three years at longest streak in the league in 21 Saint Vincent, helping take the team to two years, he is more interested in “Sweet Sixteen” appearances in NAIA Division talking about the success of his II. He is now head men’s coach at Shepherd players. University. From this year’s senior class: Head Coa • Mike Iuzzolino, a former Dallas Mavericks ch D.P. Ha rris • Pat Jones, an all-conference player in the National Basketball Association, is first team selection, is going to graduate an assistant coach at Canisius. school in England, and will play professional basketball. • Chris Fite is in his third year as the head men’s coach • After several job offers, J.C. Howard, who attained at Shippensburg University. conference honorable mention, is going into investments • Jason Hasson, C’05, a former point guard for the and acquisitions. Bearcats, took his Pope John XXIII Regional High • Ben Klimchock is going to graduate school at School team, based in Sparta, New Jersey, to the state Bloomsburg University in public relations and championship. communication and has received a graduate • Chris Klimchock, C’14, joined the men’s basketball assistantship. coaching staff at Regis College in 2014. • Dan Sinwell has had numerous job offers and has been • Chad Dickman, C’02, who served as an assistant coach accepted into several graduate schools, and is in the at Saint Vincent before moving to Wheeling Jesuit process of making a commitment. University, is now head coach at Hood College. • Geoff FuQuay has accepted a position in human • Harris’ present associate head men’s coach, Dan resources. Szramowski worked at the University of Pittsburgh under • Kyle Rivera is considering several job offers. Ben Howland and Jamie Dixon as well as working at the • Jaylon Bell and Bobby Swartwout, both transfer University of Rhode Island.
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Summer 2016
• Presently, Assistant Coach Terrance Smith, C’05, a third team NAIA All-American had a successful 12-year military career. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals and Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals with Combat Stars. Then there are the seven of his former players who earned a total of ten All-American honors, and the players, including Tony Washam, C’05; Kenny Roberts, C’05; Jeff Mallory, C’06; Felix Indaye, C’05; Billy Bains, C’09; Rob Husar, C’04; Mike Medved, C’09; and BJ McGill, C’11, who have gone on to professional careers. That is just a brief rundown of some of Harris’ latest mentees. Growing up with meagre beginnings in Wheeling, West Virginia, he came to Saint Vincent at age 23, after coaching at Wheeling Park High School and for a season at Ohio University Eastern. Aside from four straight conference championships, his teams have a combined record of 259-104 in 13 seasons as head coach. He talks about the coaches and people who have helped inspire him—like his list of Bearcat successes, it is long. He just wants to do the same thing. One of the differences about playing basketball at Saint Vincent versus playing at other schools, Harris said, includes the extensive network of Bearcat alumni. “Our alumni interact with the players and they can have a huge impact on them,” he said. “When football came back, during homecoming week, the parking lot was filled with men’s basketball players,” he said, from all of the eras of Saint Vincent basketball. Harris also credits Athletic Director Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., with helping to build the program. “Not a day goes by without me talking to Father Myron. He has a very knowledgeable sports mind.” The success of the team, both on and off the court, starts with ABCs, he said, “academics, basketball and character.” Perhaps, Harris said, his bond with the college is strong because of its Benedictine tradition. “When I got here the first person I met was Brother Pat Lacey. He even walked me to the door where I needed to be. I got a taste of that Benedictine hospitality and just followed the Benedictines the rest of the way.” Harris’ teams start the season with morning prayer with the monks, and they also do service projects within the community, anything from bell ringing with the Salvation Army to helping kids at summer camps, or working with Rotary on outreach projects. The one thing he still desires, though, is to catch the late Brother Pat, who, as head bowling coach, led Saint Vincent to a national championship in 1978, the only one the college has attained. “I’m still chasing those bowlers.” Saint Vincent Magazine
Spring Sports Roundup
From left, Dave Culeton, Tyler Frankel, Greg Martin, Ben Webb.
Baseball The Bearcat baseball team finished the season at 17-20 overall and 10-14 in PAC play. Three members of the pitching staff: Junior Tyler Frankel (5-3), sophomore Greg Martin (3-1) and junior Dave Culeton (4-3) were each named Pitcher of the Week in the conference during March and April. Infielder Ben Webb led the team with a .393 average in 112 at bats. Webb and Martin were All-PAC Second-Team selections, while Culeton was Honorable Mention All-PAC.
men's GOLF Jake Reed finished nine strokes ahead of his nearest competitor to win the Presidents’ Athletic Conference MVP award, and the Bearcats finished second as a team in the 2016 Championships, held at the Grove City Country Club. Reed finished with a score of 290, nine strokes better than second place finisher Jorden Alfery of Grove City. SVC’s Ben Biss, who led all golfers with a score of 71 in round three, finished in third overall with a four-round score of 302, earning First Team All-PAC honors, joining Reed. Nate Yackovich finished in a tie for 12th and was named All-PAC Honorable Mention. Teammate Cam Roth earned the same award, finishing 14th.
Ben Biss (above), Jake Reed
TO MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT ATHLETICS, VISIT: HTTPS://SSL.CHARITYWEB.NET/STVINCENT/. DROPDOWN MENU ALLOWS DONORS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GENERAL ATHLETICS OR A SPECIFIC SPORT. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE BASKETBALL GOLF OUTING AT LATROBE COUNTRY CLUB ON SEPTEMBER 10.
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Summer 2016
men's and women's Track
From left, Michael Grus, Anthony Hogeback, Trevor Hough, Alex Mueser.
men's lacrosse
Four men’s lacrosse student-athletes were listed on the All-Conference Teams by the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference. The team finished its season at 7-7, 4-3 in the conference. Anthony Hogeback and Michael Grus led the way with All-ORLC Second-Team honors. Alex Mueser was an Honorable Mention selection and Trevor Hough was named to the All-ORLC Sportsmanship Team. Hogeback broke the single-season assist record with 40 assists, the most among ORLC players.
Hockey
The hockey team, which is a club sport, finished the regular season with a 13-4-1 record and finished at 15-5-1. The team made it to the CHE open league Championship and was invited to play in the National Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament. The team lost the first contest, but won the second two before losing in the semi-finals to Penn State Altoona. It was an achievement for the team of 11 skaters and one goaltender.
Women's Lacrosse The women’s lacrosse team lost 13-11 to top-seeded Washington & Jefferson in the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference Championship game. Five athletes were named All-Conference standouts and another was named to the Sportsmanship Team. The Bearcats had three First-Team All-ORLC performers in midfielder Maggie Nelson, attack Hannah Carroll and defender Emma Weaver. Nelson was among the top scorers in all of Division III. Carroll was second in the ORLC in assists. Midfielder Sarah Wallerstedt gained All-ORLC SecondTeam recognition, while goalkeeper Maria Franey attained All-ORLC Honorable Mention status. Defender Alex Piampiano was named to the ORLC Sportsmanship Team. The team was recognized as the Sportswomen Team of the Year by YWCA this spring.
The track team wrapped up competition at the annual PAC Track & Field Championships. The men finished sixth out of 10 teams, while the women came in tenth place. First place finishers included Vince Tonzo, first in the 800 Meter Run. Brandan Moretton claimed first place in the 1500 Meter Run. Jimmy Farnan took first in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase. On the women’s side, Rachel Glatt claimed fourth in the 800 Meters.
Women's Golf The women’s golf team finished in third place in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. Samm Firestone earned First Team All-PAC honors, finishing fifth overall for the four rounds. Meg Birmingham was named All-PAC Second Team with a 10th place. Sara Norton earned an All-PAC Honorable Mention award.
Sportswoman of the Year Susie Ellis was named YWCA Outstanding Sportswoman of the Year for Individual Excellence. She claimed the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship at number one singles and first doubles at the PAC Women’s Tennis Championship, only the second women’s tennis player to do so. She averaged 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds on the basketball team and was one of the top three-point shooters in the PAC.
From top, Jimmy Farnan, Brandan Moretton, Vince Tonzo
Samm Firestone
men's tennis
From top, Hannah Carroll, Maggie Nelson, Emma Weaver
Saint Vincent Magazine
Jonathan Prichard won Player of the Year honors, and the men’s tennis team finished in second place among nine teams at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. The freshman Prichard won the championship match at first singles. Prichard also teamed up with Ryan Hartz to take first place at first doubles. Dalton Yezovich and Pat McGee took second place at third doubles. Tyler Brinton and Dalton Yezovich each claimed second place finishes in singles action. 34
Susie Ellis
Jonathan Prichard Summer 2016
Summer
Theatre
ALUMNI FRIENDS
&
Coming Soon! Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Gala Friday, July 8 For details: 724-805-2901
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals
Thirty years ago the Saint Vincent Summer Theatre featured The Foreigner. It became an audience favorite and returned to the stage in 2012. The theatre is in its 48th year.
Sunday, July 26, 2:55 p.m. First practice open to the public. For more information on training camp visit: www.stvincent.edu/trainingcamp/
Cross Country Alumni Race
Friday, July 15 (Tentative)
Saturday, August 27, 2016 9 a.m. to Noon Athletic Fields Fitness Trail
GOLD Pittsburgh Pirates Outing at PNC Park
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Tuesday, July 26
September 24-25
Steelers Training Camp Saturday, July 25 All players report by 4 p.m.
(Contact the Alumni Office closer to the date if a
Local Alumni Bearcat Lunch Noon, Fridays, July 8, August 12, Metten Room
Greensburg Area Alumni Lunch Noon, Tuesdays, July 19, August 16, Giannilli’s II, Greensburg
www.facebook.com/ SVCBearcatAlum www.youtube.com/User/ saintvincentcollege @Svcbearcat
gathering site is still to be determined.)
ALUMNI OFFICE • 300 FRASER PURCHASE ROAD • LATROBE • PA • 15650-2690 • 724-805-2568 • ALUMNI@STVINCENT.EDU
James Ragan Honored With Tribute
Musical Memories: Band And Music Department From 1953 To The1960s I was a student and band member in 1953. Emil D’Lorenzo was the student conductor then, and in 1955 I was named student director by Father Ralph Bailey. Father was then the music chairman and one of the finest persons and priests I have ever known. Father Ralph said he selected me because of my family background of band directors and music educators. Descendants of my grandfather and their spouses have provided over 335 years of music education. The ones who didn’t teach have conducted adult community bands and taught church choirs. I taught band and music at Punxsutawney Area High School for 37 of those years. The SVC music faculty was also outstanding under the direction of Father Ralph. I would like to make note of a few of them: Father Ildephonse Wortman, Father Arthur Holtz, Father Clarence, Dr. J. Vick O’Brien, Mr. Joe Rotakas, and world-renowned brass specialist, Mr. Edwin Shiner. Also making up the staff were local band directors as adjunct members. In 1955 Father Ralph conducted a production of the very difficult Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl And The Night Visitors.” Father put together vocal and instrumental talent from the college along with others from local communities. Most people knew this opera as a Christmas special done by professionals on NBC. Some people from other colleges thought the musical would be impossible for a school our size to do it. We proved them wrong and had most of the performances sold out. My wife, Ruth, and I had three of our four children attend Saint Vincent College and our daughter, Kim, is still active as a member of the Alumni council. I wish Randy Kratofil success with building and maintaining a great band for a great college. Providing students with a good concert band experience and learning exceptional concert repertoire is an admirable goal. James A. Colonna SVC 1956 Music Education Graduate
Saint Vincent Magazine
James J. Ragan, Ph.D., C’66, H 90, an internationally recognized poet, playwright and screenwriter, was honored on March 31 with a tribute sponsored by Beyond Baroque and the Jim Zukin Family, featuring Flowers and Roots, a documentary on his life in the arts, followed by a panel discussion that included David Hartman of ABC’s Good Morning America; David Bianculli, National Public Radio host of Fresh Air; Al Young, poet laureate emeritus, California; Cathy Lee Crosby,
author, actor and producer; and Alan Fox, New York Times best selling author of People Tools. The panel was moderated by Michael Khandelwal. An award-winning poet, Ragan served for 25 years as director of the University of Southern California’s Professional Writing Program and for 22 years as Distinguished Professor at Charles University in Prague. In 1996 Buzz Magazine named Ragan one of the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles: Those Who Make a Difference.”
Matich, C’11, Gets Fulbright Megan Matich, C’11, received a joint grant with the Icelandic Ministry of Education and Culture and the Fulbright Commission to study Icelandic as a second language as part of a three-year program at the University of Iceland (Haskóli Íslands). This project arose from her graduate studies at Columbia in literary translation. Matich translated Icelandic poetry from Magnús Sigurðsson, for which she received a PEN/Heim translation grant. After publishing an Icelandic ‘feature’ in Words Without Borders, she decided to translate and edit an anthology of a variety of Icelandic poets. For the Fulbright, Matich will be undertaking the 36
anthology, with a critical introduction elaborating on poetry as an arm for social progress, in Iceland, and as an important fixture of everyday life. She will be interning at two small publishing houses as well.
G
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES
ET a fixed income for life when you make a gift of $10,000 or more to Saint Vincent College. A Charitable Gift Annuity will generate a tax deduction in the year of your gift. Distribution rates are dependent upon your age, and current interest rates determine the annuity rate that Saint Vincent can offer. For more information contact: JAMES BENDEL, DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING Institutional Advancement 724-805-2948 http://saintvincent. planmylegacy.org/
Summer 2016
Hon. Robert Reed Named Superior Court Presiding Judge The Honorable Robert B. Reed, C’70 has been named by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, Supreme Court of New Jersey, as presiding judge of the Criminal Division, Superior Court of New Jersey, Vicinage 13, for the balance of the 2015-2016 term, and to which position he has been reappointed for the 2016-2017 Court year. Reed was appointed to the Superior Court of New Jersey in October, 2004, and since then has served in all divisions and in all three of the counties that comprise Vicinage 13, including Civil, Family, Probate and Criminal. However the majority of his time on the bench has been in the Criminal Division, where he has had the occasion to preside at trials of many high profile and complex criminal matters, in fact trying 15-plus cases a year. His new responsibilities as presiding judge require that he supervise the criminal calendar and judicial assignments within the multi-county vicinage, while continuing to personally manage a case load of 300plus cases. At any given time, there are over 1200 criminal cases pending in Vicinage 13. Prior to his gubernatorial appointment to the bench, Judge Reed practiced law for 31 years, and held a variety of positions in public service, begininng as assistant Hunterdon County prosecutor, executive director of the New Jersey State Parole Board, special
assistant to the commisioner of the Department of Corrections, and adjunct professor at Rutgers University and Warren County College. A past president of the Hunterdon County Bar Association, attorney Reed was also designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney and Certified Civil Trial Attorney in 1985, when less than 60 of 60,000 licensed attorneys were certified in those two specialties. On a personal note, Reed’s oldest daughter, Alexis, a Douglass College graduate, is a social worker in Eugene, Oregon, and the mother of his only grandchild, 6½-year-old Ravi Ben Solomon. His oldest son, Robert, is an Afghanistan combat veteran serving with the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Joint Special Operations, having been honorably discharged after six years. His son Jonathan, an East Carolina University graduate, is on active duty as a U.S. Navy air traffic controller at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. Reed and and wife, Lisa, (nee Jensen) celebrated 16 years of marriage this past June; his stepson, Nicholas, an East Carolina University grad, is a graduate student in the University of Delaware’s athletic training program, and will join the Atlanta Braves organization in June as an athletic trainer with the team’s
Saint Vincent Magazine
Orlando affiliate. Reed and his wife have a 14-year-old daughter, Rachel, who is a freshman at Hunterdon Central Regional High School and an accomplished soccer player for her junior varsity high school team and also plays for FC Copa. Reed lost his father in 1968 when he was at Saint Vincent and recently suffered the loss of his mother, Julia. He has a sister Jane, a brother, Kenneth, and a brother, Thomas. At the core of his college experience, Reed said, “We were all kids from workingclass families. We all had the similar experience of growing up in families that were mentored by what has been
called ‘The Greatest Generation.’ Our parents went through the Depression and World War II … we were all their kids … it was really a salt-of-the-earth group, a wonderful group of guys. The experience of going to Saint Vincent at that time in the 1960s was like the tan you got in the summertime… it never quite faded completely. We all carried it with us into adulthood.” Having just attended his SVC 45th class reunion, Reed noted that, “The fact that in our late 60s, we can reminice about our college experiences, now almost 50 years old, in a fond and friendly manner, is just remarkable.”
Jared Bundy, C’08
Alex Byers, C’08
Facebook Page, Videos Winners Two College digital media projects were winners in the AVA Digital Awards competition. The Saint Vincent Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ saintvincentcollege) received a gold award for Facebook Engagement, while the “Star Wars: The Force Enlightens” video series (https://youtu.be/7WIl1Bt43Kg) received an honorable mention in the Video on the Web category. Saint Vincent was the only educational institution in Pennsylvania to receive a gold award. Jared Bundy, C’08, digital marketing specialist, manages the award-winning Facebook page and helped co-produce “The Force Enlightens” with Alex Byers, C’08, digital media specialist. 37
Summer 2016
Class News
1950s Leo R. West, P’46, C’51, is still editing two newsletters for social studies education. He spent the holidays with his daughter, Patty, and grandkids in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He likes to attend meetings of social studies councils.
on to pass the CPA exam, and then enjoyed 52 years devoted to medical financial management. He retired in 2007.
David K. McGuire, Ph.D., C’57, was recently appointed to the Allentown City Council. Allentown is the third largest city in Pennsylvania.
Arthur T. Downey, C 59, just published his third book: The Cold War: Law, Lawyers, Spies and Crises. It is available on amazon.com.
Lloyd A. Casey, C’50, and wife, Mary Grace, have been married for 66 years. They have seven children, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.Casey earned a M.A. in Theology, was a State Senator in Colorado, and authored a book, Family First—A Father’s Legacy. A copy is in the Saint Vincent Library.
Walter R. Murin, C’59, has moved to California and is living with his daughter, Valerie, and her husband, Greg Baker.
Henry J. Smith, C’53, and his
Rev. Charles J. Davis, C’58, S’62, Army Airborne Chaplain,
wife, Adelaide, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have six children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He majored in accounting, went
Benedictine Scholarships The Class of 1968/ Rev. Ronald R. Gorka, O.S.B., Scholarship Established by the Class of 1968 and friends and family of Rev. Ronald R. Gorka, O.S.B., in 1993 to support students chosen by the Gorka Scholarship Committee.
Donate in memory of a beloved monk:
Contact: The Office of Institutional Advancement 724-805-2948
1960s has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with the rank of Colonel. Father Davis was previously awarded two bronze star medals for gallantry in action in Vietnam, and a Presidential Citation.
Thomas E. Skoloda, Ph.D., P’60, C’64, was appointed to the Manatee County Health Advisory Committee.
William M. Fronczek, Jr., M.D., C’62, has been a volunteer with Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center of Pittsburgh in the Ophthalmology Clinic since 2011.
Frank A. Mazeitis, C’63, was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Immaculata High School, Leavenworth, Kansas in May, 2015.
Richard J. Schulte, P’64, C’68, represented Saint Vincent College at the inauguration and installation of The Rev. David Esterline, Ph.D., president and professor of cross-cultural
Saint Vincent Magazine
Photo showing Class of 1962 Golf Outing in Tampa, Florida. The are from left, Bob Belan, Don Demsher, Jim Nardo, Dick Payne, Wayne Deblander, Ron Blase, Bill Wydo and Pat Keith. (Photo Ron Blase) theological education, at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on May 9.
Father Jack O’Malley, S’65, Western Pennsylvania Labor Chaplin, was recognized in the fall of 2015 with a pewter sculpture at a joint meeting of the Allegheny County Labor Council and the United Way of Allegheny County for his 50 years of service to the Church and Labor Unions. Also, he was presented with the A. Philip Randolph solidarity award for demonstrating a commitment to building the labor movement and ensuring inclusion of people of color in labor leadership positions. This award was given in April 2016 by the A. Philip Randolph Institute at its annual Institute Awards Reception Program at the August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh.
Rev. Dennis Riccitelli, C 66, is retired but happily helping at a number of churches in Arizona. “It is a delight and a blessing to be able to celebrate Mass at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church, Saint Charles Borromeo Church and Holy Spirit Church, Arizona,” he writes.
1970s Stephen J. Warner, C’70, is still living on an island in the middle of the Chesapeake
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Bay. He is anxiously awaiting the birth of his and Rona’s first grandchild. Steve spends his time volunteering to help the hungry and the environment.
Michael G. Kaleina, C’71, keeps score for the Saint Vincent College Ice Hockey team. Games are played at Center Ice Arena, Delmont, usually on Sunday afternoon.
Guy J. Bellaver, C’72, a sculptor, has been elected to the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame. Charles D. Cleveland, C’72, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of Julio Frenk as the sixth president of University of Miami on Friday, January 29.
Daniel M. Donato, C’73, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of Julie E. Wollman, Ph.D., as 10nth president of Widener University on May 13.
David T. Feret, C’73, purchased a home in a retirement community of Stonecrest in Marion County, Florida.
George J. Silowash, C’75, retired from Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation (BMPC) on April 1, after 38 years of service. He won many engineering, innovation, and patent awards during his career, and received letters of commendation from Admiral
Summer 2016
Kirkland Donald, former director of Naval Reactors, and Tom Vavoso, director of reactor engineering at Naval Reactors. Silowash’s position upon retiring was senior advisory scientist. He is now working as a manufacturing consultant for IDEA-LLC.
1980s Michael L. Keslar, C’80, chief information officer of global transaction services at BNY Mellon, was presented the CIO of the Year Award from The Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Greater Pittsburgh CIO Group.
University C’84, celebrated the birth of their first grandchild, Eve Marie Passarello, born on March 13, 2016, to son, Christopher, and his wife, Sabena.
Michael A. Cook, D.O., C’84, presented abstracts at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2015 Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland and at the 2015 American College of Phlebology Congress in Orlando, Florida.
Patricia J. Chabala, C’88, is the exceptional family member program coordinator for all dependents of active duty military personnel stationed at F.E. Warren AFB.
1990s Angela M. (Peskie) Coldren, C’93, was recently hired as senior business manager for the Research Conduct and Compliance Office (RCCO) at the University of Pittsburgh. Coldren has been employed by the University of Pittsburgh for 20 years.
Eric J. Myers, C’94, accepted the position of education director of NHS Schools in Greensburg and Herminie. Kimberly A. Ryckman, D.O., C’97, represented Saint
John Malone, C’83, threw out the first pitch at the Pirates game on Saturday, April 16. John is senior vice president at Somerset Trust, with his sons, John, C’15, and Jim, who is considering entrance to Saint Vincent this fall. John is an adjunct at the McKenna School.
Atty. Kevin L. Passarello, C’83, and his wife, Carla, Seton Hill
George F. Kacenga, C’02, G’05, a social and comparative analysis Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh, has been published. His chapter ‘Applied Comparative Education: In-House Analysis of Foreign Academic Credentials’ was accepted by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) for publication in The AACRAO International Guide: A Resource for International Education Professionals. Kacenga currently serves as the director of international enrollment management at the University of Colorado Denver.
Heather J. LiVorio, C’03, and her husband, Matthew R. LiVorio, C’03, had their third little boy on March 22.
Jolene (Wertz) Cole, C’06, was recently awarded tenure and promotion to associate professor at Georgia College and State University located in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been serving as an assistant professor of library science at Georgia College since 2010.
Matthew P. Duran, C’06,
Christina J. Koren, C’07, was recently promoted to executive director of mission integration and community engagement at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pennsylvania.
2000s
Peter D. Mullican, C’07, and Laura M. (McDermott) Mullican, C’07, are happily
the vice president of DeLallo’s Italian Market, the largest importer and distributor of olives in the U.S.
Anthony Marciano, C’00, graduated from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in April.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Elisabeth Y. Talamo, C’09, G’14, a biology teacher at Quigley Catholic High School, was awarded a certificate of honor through Saint Vincent’s Great Teacher Recognition Program. She was nominated by a former student.
Father Matthias Martinez, O.S.B., S’07, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, received his master’s degree in library science from Clarion University in July. Father Matthias began his graduate studies in 2011. He earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Saint John Seminary College in 1999 and earned a master of divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary. In 2010, he was appointed assistant to the director of libraries and is now a serials librarian at the Saint Vincent Library. Father Matthias is the son of Lynda C. Martinez of Latrobe and the late Edelmiro Martinez Jr.
2010s
recently accepted a job with PNC Mortgage, and relocated back home to western Pennsylvania.
Vincent at the inauguration of Marcus Long, Ph.D. as the 11th president of Mount Marty College, Yankton, South Dakota, on Wednesday, March 30.
Anthony M. DiPietro, C’00, is
Institutional video. He and his wife, Anne, are members of Saint Bernadette’s Church in Monroeville.
married with two children ages two years old and four months old.
Jared Bundy, C’08, is the winner of two AVA Digital Marketing Awards for Facebook Engagement and an Education
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Travis A. Kinney, C’11, graduated as a doctor of osteopathic medicine in May 2015 from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Kristina N. Mazzenga, C’13, is a member of the National Basketball Association Miami Heat dance team.
Stephanie J. (Maskrey) Kuhns, C’15, began a new job in February with Distributed Information Technologies Inc. as a cyber security consultant.
Summer 2016
Several Bearcat Alumni participated in the annual Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Half-Marathon on May 1. Pictured are former Bearcat Harriers Adam Smith, C’09; Mike Stevens, C’11; Katie
Macioce, C’10; Shane Simmons, C’10; Matt Hagg, C’11, G’14; Matt Robson, C’06 and Ryan Barlow, C’12.
Deaths Augustus A. “Gus” Boova, P’42, C’47, on January 28. John A. Leppert, D.C., P’46, C 50, on March 24. Daniel M. Vernino, D.D.S, C 47, on March 23, 2010.
Robert D. Rudiselle, P’53, C’58, on May 16. Joseph E. Koch, P’56, C 60, on March 18.
Monsignor Michael Nestor, C’56, on April 12.
Jack C. Deutsch, C’48, on May 1. Frank E. Jobe, C’48, on January 23.
Condolences
Harry G. Felix, P 49, on May 2.
Frederick R. Favo, P’51, on
John J. Lochrie, C’49, on
the death of his wife, Anne Favo, on April 9.
February 14.
Albert M. Milbert, P’49, on July 21, 2015.
Regis J. Serinko Sr., Ph.D., C’49, on March 15. Anthony M. Ceraso, C’50, on January 28.
John H. Hamill, P’51, on April 13. John J. Pontzer, C’51, on February 28.
Fred B. Trescher, P’45, C’51, on February 4, 2016.
Michael D. Walsh, M.D., C’51, on March 17.
Edward M. Bilik, C 52, on March 2.
Atty. Jerome M. Lynes, C’54, on March 13.
Stanley C. Paviak, C’52, on the death of his wife, Margaret Paviak, on March 13. Maurice Rudiselle, C’56, S’60, on the loss of his brother, Robert D. Rudiselle, P’53, C’58, on May 16. Anthony J. Pesavento, Jr., P’63, on the loss of his mother, Genevieve Pesavento, on June 5.
J. Patrick Conroy, C’64; Kelly Conroy, C’95; Cara (Conroy) Garcia, C’97; Casey (Conroy) Germond, C’05; Ryan Conroy, C’02; and Evan Conroy, C’14, on the loss of their brother and uncle, respectively,
Terrence L. Conroy, C’68, on February 24.
James P. Coleman, C’58, on
Terry Conroy, C’68, on
February 28.
February 24.
Vincent R. Hart, C’58, on
Thomas Robinson, C’68, on
March 11.
May 10.
Charles R. Somple, C 58, on September 6, 2010.
John A. “Jack” Bombulie, C’69, on May 4.
Michael J. Cirucci, C 60, on
John R. Ruppel, Jr., C’69, on
March 20.
June 14, 2009.
Joseph E. Koch, P’56, C 60, on
Michael L. Loll, D.D.S., C’73,
March 17.
on July 27, 2015.
Edward J. Permar Jr., C’64, on
Regis W. Schrum, C’73, on
April 15.
February 2.
Steven H. Whiteman, C’65, on
Mark E. Winwood, P’69, C’74,
January 30.
on May 12.
Timothy Piwowar, P 66, on
Daniel F. Geisler, P 72, C’76,
March 1, 2015.
on January 20.
William J. Rosendahl, C’67, on
Atty. Gary P. Alexander, C’80,
March 30.
on February 5.
Peter J. Barszczowski, M.D., P’68, on February 25.
30.
Rudolph F. Marcinko, C’64, on
Julieann C. Selep, C’92, and Jay P. Murray III, C’79,
the death of his mother Katherine C. (Hamborsky) Marcinko, 92, on April 11.
Dr. Francis L. Lally, Jr., C’72, John M. Lally, C’77, and Maureen E. Lally-Green, member of the college and seminary board of directors, on the loss of their mother, Charlotte Lally on April 28.
J. Patrick Lochrie, C’72, on the loss of his father, John J. Lochrie, C’49, on February 14. Charles J. Gray, C’73, on the loss of his wife, Mary Anne Gray, on December 27, 2015.
Atty. Jeffrey C. Malenky, C’77, on the loss of his father, Ronald J. Malenky, C’55, on February 7. John J. DeSantis, C’84, and Michael DeSantis, C 19, on the loss of their father and grandfather, respectively, Joseph S. DeSantis, on April 19.
Ronald J. Malenky, C’55, on
Sean B. Duran, C 90, on April
(past presidents of the Saint Vincent Alumni Council), on the death of their brother and brother-in-law, respectively, Michael Claybaugh, on February 9.
Angela (O’Barto) Zalich, C’95, Event and Conference Services, on the loss of her grandmother, Marguerite A. Bigley, on January 25.
Laura M. (Fedor) Baker, C’07, and Emily Fedor, C’11, on the loss of their grandmother, Martha Fedor, on January 26, and their grandfather, Thomas Fedor, on January 30.
Marie E. Hickey, C’14, on the loss of her two-week-old son, Aiden Francis, on April 9. Taylor R. Mathers, C’14, G’15, on the loss of her grandmother, Margaret “Margie” B. Mathers on February 7.
February 7.
Saint Vincent Magazine
40
Summer 2016
Rev. Justin M. Withrow, O.S.B., S’90, on February 3. Chad W. Bleehash, C’05, on May 1.
Dow Edward Carnahan, 56, of 1480WCNS Latrobe, on May
1. He was the voice of Saint Vincent Bearcats football and basketball.
Engagements Jennifer N. Hendrick, C’09, G’13, to Edward Rowan. Their wedding will be held on July 23 at Saint Vincent Basilica.
Michael J. Hauser, C’10, to Bobbi-Lynn Brooks, C’13. The
Births
couple has selected July 2 to exchange their wedding vows at the Saint Vincent Basilica.
Cheri L. Falcon, C’14, G’16, was engaged on April 2 to Jordan F. Burnham.
Kelsey Blair Kronk, C’15, to Taylor Christian Stutzman. They are planning an October 15 wedding at Indian Head Church of God.
Calvin R. Demillion, C’11, to Jazmin T. Wyland, C’11.
Julianne Marie Jaffe on March 17 to Tom Jaffe, C’98, and his wife, Marie (Swallop) Jaffe, C’01.
Ryker Joseph Bundy on February 20 to Jared Bundy, C’08, and his wife, Anne Bundy, and the first grandchild of Joseph Bundy, C’83, and his wife, Theresa Bundy. Ryker is the first nephew and godson of Nathan Bundy, C’12.
Eric Arbore, C’13, and Elizabeth Maguire.
Jacob M. Hendrick, C’13, to Meghan V. Waterbury, C’13. Their June 25, 2016, wedding will take place at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, York.
Hannah Truong, C’16, to Darren Anderton, C’16. They were engaged on March 3, 2016, at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, and will be married on October 7, 2017 at Saint Vincent Basilica.
Mary Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel The Mary Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel serves as a sanctuary for prayer and remembrance of family members, alumni of Saint Vincent Prep, College and Seminary, Oblates, parishioners and friends from throughout the region. “Coming Home” to Saint Vincent includes remembrance in the daily prayers and Masses of the Benedictine Community.
Rafael Joseph to Tara (Nolan) Finau, C’06, and Madisyn Grace Britton her husband Joseph Finau, to Matthew Britton, C’12, C’06, on February 29. He joins his big sister, Eleanor and Devin (Rigot) Britton, C’12. Cecilia.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Saint Vincent Cemetery 724-805-2651 www.saintvincentcemetery.com Dennis Garman, Manager
41
Summer 2016
Marriages
Rebecca L. Ciocco, C’09, and Travis Paul Adams. The wedding was held on May 7 at Saint Augustine, Cambria County.
Travis A. Kinney, C’11, and Francesca Catalano on June 12, 2015 in Philadelphia (photos at right and below). Stephanie J. Maskrey, C’15, and Christopher Kuhns on January 2.
Ashlee N. Snyder, C’15, and Derek A. Rose on January 30. The couple went on a
honeymoon cruise to Haiti, Cozumel and Jamaica.
Robert S. Zelmore, C’95, G’09, and Casey L. Galbreath on December 12, 2015, at the Atrium near Butler. They visited Memphis and Nashville for their honeymoon, and are making their home near Butler in Renfrew. Rob Roush, C’94, played acoustic guitar for the ceremony. Pictured, from left, Robert Justin Gurnick,
C’95; Decio Rapali, C’95; Stephanie Traeger, C’02; Matthew DiGiacomo, C’93; Gabriel B. Pellathy, C’95; Martin Dornisch, C’95; Marcus Chlystek, C’95; Brother Albert Gahr, O.S.B., C’95, S’12; Rob Roush, C’94; Dr. Gabriel S. Pellathy, Betsy Cordera, C’94; Kevin Cordera, C’95. Not pictured is Dr. Michael Polechko, C 68.
Guardian Society • Guardian Society members are loyal alumni and friends who have remembered Saint Vincent College in their estate planning through bequests, insurance policies, trusts or annuities. • Their stewardship guarantees a quality education to Saint Vincent students of the future. Make your gift last an eternity! • The next Guardian Society event will occur on June 22.
FOR INFORMATION CALL 724-805-2949.
Saint Vincent Magazine
42
Summer 2016
FRIENDSHIP WITH A BENEDICTINE: A SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE
A
WAITING the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Dorsch at the popular restaurant in Harmony, Pennsylvania, I really was not sure how I should react when they were seated at the table. Quite frankly, I had never shared a meal with someone who had ALS. But, after two hours with Bob and Claire, I can honestly say that the effect on me was far beyond my anticipated expectations. The initial reason for the visit was to say “Thank you” to them for their ongoing annual contributions to the Father Aelred Beck, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund, created by Dr. and Mrs. Jed Hughes, that supports grants to students from the Sacred Heart Parish in Youngstown, or from the Benedictine High School in Savannah, Georgia. As Jim Will, former president of the College stated, “Father Aelred was an innovator who introduced many new programs that helped students achieve their educational goals.” Bob and Claire began supporting this fund because of their close relationship to Father Aelred, who was Claire’s cousin and close friend of Bob. However, once the conversation began with Bob and Claire, I knew that something extraordinary was occurring that went far beyond a “thank you” to them. Bob, who was diagnosed with ALS about six years
ago, sitting upright and with a determined dignity in his motorized wheelchair, projected an absolutely endless array of positive exchanges with his wife, Claire, and me. From one who was active in so many ways during his lifetime, working as a self-taught mechanical engineer, farmer, craftsman, and mostly, sharing the leadership role with his wife rearing seven children, all of whom were educated at a Catholic university or college, the message I received from Bob was very clear: “In life, we have no choice in what happens to us, but we do have a choice in how we handle the situations.” Observing the exchange between Bob and Claire, it is evident that there is a mutual love and respect that transcends any physical limitations surrounding the challenges of ALS. In fact, both of them feel that the limitations of ALS have given their seven children, Robert, Gregory, Jennifer, Nicholas, Veronica, Alexander and Benjamin, an uncommon opportunity to share intimate, personal and meaningful time with their parents. Greg, who graduated from Saint Vincent College, commented on one trait of his father that motivates him daily in his personal and professional life. Because of the ALS, Bob needs endlessly to not only “learn” how to do things differently, but ALS demands that he keep “relearning” that which he just learned the previous day! (Using the keyboard, to a stylus in his hand, then his mouth, and then on to using his eyes to communicate via the internet…) And, he does it with that same endearing positive charm. The origin of the relationship of Bob and Claire to Saint Vincent began when they were in grade school at Saint Boniface Church in the North Side of Pittsburgh. And, although Bob only attended the College for three semesters, the fact that Claire was the cousin of Father Aelred, and they have such high respect for the Mission of the Benedictines, even as they struggle with the challenges of ALS, they continue to reach out to strengthen the scholarship fund with their ongoing gifts. Claire and Bob, “thanks” for being such wonderful role models. Your gifts provide critical help to current and future students at the College. Your hope and strength inspires all of us to open our hearts so that the “Holy Spirit fills every aspect of our lives.” —Jim Bendel
MAKE A DIFFERENCE, MAKE A FUTURE Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement 724-805-2949 | www.stvincent.edu/ studentsfirst
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300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 www.stvincent.edu
Steelers Training Camp 2016 : Saint Vincent College WWW.STVINCENT.EDU/TRAININGCAMP/ July 29 to August 16