SAINT VINCENT M A G A Z I N E
DR. JUNLEI LI: CONTINUING the LEGACY of FRED ROGERS
Fall 2015
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Upcoming
Events
Saint Vincent College Concert Series
7 p.m. October 10, Brandon Ridenour, trumpet Robert S. Carey Performing Arts Center Purchase tickets at www.stvincentstore.com
Roman Verostko: Algorithmic Transformations from Art by Hand to Art by Code
October 22 to November 23, 2015 Opening Night: Thursday, October 22 Saint Vincent Gallery Threshold Lecture with Artist 7:30 p.m. 22nd
Saint Vincent Camerata
November 14, “Dona Nobis Pacem” Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
Saint Vincent College Concert Series
7 p.m. November 21, Fei-Fei Dong, piano Robert S. Carey Performing Arts Center Purchase tickets at www.stvincentstore.com
Striking Images The Lifetime Work of Terry Deglau
December 4, to January 10, 2016, Saint Vincent Gallery, Opening 6 to 8 p.m. December 4
Saint Vincent Camerata
December 12, “Lessons and Carols” Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
December Commencement
From left, Alicia Barnes, C’01, Conierose Barnes, C19, and Bill Barnes, C’94.
Eighth Barnes Family Member Now At SVC
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onierose Barnes, C19, is following in a tradition of family members who have decided to become Bearcats. A freshman psychology major, she is the eighth member of her family to attended Saint Vincent College in the last 25 years.
Conierose’s uncle, Bill Barnes, C’94, majored in business management and works in the administration department at Saint Vincent. One of her aunts, Katrina Barnes Vidnovic, C’97,
Saturday, December 17
majored in psychology with minors in elementary and early childhood education and met her
Janet McKenzie: New Stations of the Cross
husband at Saint Vincent, Theodore Vidnovic III, C’98. (The couple currently lives in California
February 5 to March 13, 2016 The Saint Vincent Gallery
with their daughter.)
Saint Vincent College Concert Series
as the director of annual funds from 2002 to 2015. Twin cousins Keli and Keri Barnes both
7 p.m. January 16, the Harlem Quartet Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica Purchase tickets at www.stvincentstore.com
Saint Vincent College Concert Series
7 p.m. February 13, Paul Jacobs, organ Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica Purchase tickets at www.stvincentstore.com
Maestro Manfred Honeck • The Pittsburgh Symphony • The Mendelsson Choir of Pittsburgh The Saint John’s Passion Saturday, March 5, 2016 Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica
225th Anniversary, Basilica Parish
Saturday, April 30, Archbishop Charles Chaput
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.stvincent.edu
Another aunt, Alicia Barnes, C’01, majored in liberal arts and worked at Saint Vincent majored in education at Saint Vincent, though they finished their college careers at Penn State. Most recently, Conierose’s brother Joseph, C’15, majored in business management and obtained a job at Excela Health soon after graduation. Conierose chose to come to Saint Vincent because of the size:“The teacher student ratio is ideal for me.” Her plan is to become a registered nurse, attend graduate school, and eventually become an anesthesiologist. The Barnes family members who attended Saint Vincent, and some of them who stayed to work at the college served as proof for another reason for Conierose to attend: the high employment rate of graduates. Between the small size and the high chance of successfully finding a job after graduation, Conierose knew that attending the same college as many family members would be advantageous for her collegiate and life success..
—Kathryn Klawinski
Departments
President’s 4 Message More Features 7
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New major targeted at allied health careers; new online option.
New Online Program
Faculty 18 Johnson meets premier, Fisher, Churilla, King, Schachter, Antkowiak publish.
News Briefs
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Sports
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Student Affairs staff wins award; Isaacs completes career.
10 STEELERS & SVC ALUMNI
Athletes make academic honor roll; athletes of distinction; sports briefs.
Alumni
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Upcoming events; Alumni of Distinction; in Memoriam; Class News & Notes.
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Rev. Quentin Schaut, O.S.B.
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
Fall 2015 Volume 13, Issue 1
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Suzanne Wilcox English 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.
PHOTOGRAPHERS Sports Information Office Office of Alumni Relations Ken Brooks Peter Finger Jordan Hainsey Seth Harbaugh Jack Krall Kim Metzgar
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. 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/.
PROOFREADER Carol Riddle
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Cover: Dr. Junlei Li of the Fred Rogers Center promotes the idea of healthy child development and the human connection between children and adults. He is pictured with students Adam Burgh, history, Fred Rogers Scholar; Maura Snyder, psychology, Fred Rogers Scholar; Alaina D’Aloiso, special education, Fred Rogers Scholar; Chad Linebaugh, communication.
A Message From The President
Dear Alumni and Friends,
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onnectedness is one of the characteristics that define Saint Vincent. Our campus is a place of community, of relationships, of longtime commitments—and for some of us, our home. This particular issue of Saint Vincent magazine speaks to me about connections that grow from and beyond Saint Vincent. The story about Dr. Junlei Li, co-director and associate professor of early learning and children’s media in the College’s Fred Rogers Center, focuses on his work, whether in Pittsburgh Public Schools or orphanages across China, to promote simple interactions, much as Fred Rogers espoused. In Fred’s case, he formed relationships with parents and children; in Junlei’s case, the relationships are with caregivers and children. With the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom we celebrated 50 years of training camp on the Saint Vincent campus, Saint Vincent has enjoyed longtime personal relationships between members of the Rooney family and of the Benedictine community, between chaplain Father Paul Taylor and Steelers guard Ramon Foster, and on a larger scale, a strong partnership between the College and Steelers organization. We value our relationships with our many faithful and dedicated alumni, two of whom, Joe O’Toole and J. Michael Victor, are featured in this issue. Both have served on our Board of Directors; Joe continues to give generously of his support and his time, while Michael has just been named president of Mercyhurst University, providing leadership in the Catholic higher education sphere. We are happy to see the alumni legacy story that highlights Conierose Mangalao Barnes, the eighth in her family to attend Saint Vincent, where an uncle is employed, and following in the footsteps of her brother Joe, who graduated in May. She also helps to extend our geographic reach, coming to the College from Korea. Even our new Integrated Science degree is based on relationships, combining the disciplines of chemistry, biology, mathematics and computer science. Together, all these stories illustrate the breadth and the depth of the connections, personal and professional, extending beyond disciplinary and professional lines as well as ethnic and geographic boundaries, that are all drawn together in the community we call Saint Vincent. We are thankful for all you contribute to Saint Vincent, and to the world around us.
God bless, Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., President
Dr. Junlei Li works on helping child-serving professionals based on principles of the late Fred Rogers.
Dr. Junlei Li addresses the directors of the China Welfare Institute to emphasize the value of “Simple Interactions.”
SIMPLE INTERACTIONS:
CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF FRED ROGERS Li promotes the idea that healthy child development relies first and foremost on the human connection between children and adults. The message is simple: “As Fred believed, nothing compares to the significance of the human relationship for a child,” Li said. “What is most essential for children is the simple, ordinary human interactions. He uses technology—a video camera—to show the good things that are already happening—a 180-degree change from the conventional practice of focusing on shortcomings in under-developed communities or countries. In China, he had begun this work as a volunteer project in a rural foster care facility for orphans with disabilities outside the city of Qingdao. Instead of “teaching” the staff, he found many examples of caregivers who, despite a lack of education and training, naturally and genuinely connected with the children with love and affection. “People who are doing good things with children are often not aware of the good they do,” he said, explaining that the caregivers are often farmers lacking any sort of professional credentials. “We use technology to capture and show the good things that are happening. We help them to see how great they did, and help them to understand why their work was so impactful.” This approach supports the staff and helps the institutions to start “growing the good,” focusing on what they are
By Suzanne Wilcox English
Describing Dr. Junlei Li’s work isn’t simple and straightforward. He does public service and applied research, teaches and mentors students, and trains and advises child-serving professionals in both the United States and China. But the principles that guide both his work and his teaching are simple, based on the work of Fred Rogers himself. Saint Vincent Magazine
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In the fall, he teaches Child Development. His spring doing well and expanding those practices. Interest grew course, “What Would Fred Rogers Do?” examines how posiand in July, he signed a memorandum of understanding to work cooperatively with the China Welfare Institute on tive change happens, within both individuals and communivisits, training workshops, joint research, publications and ties. Li also works with faculty members from other disciconference presentations, reaching early childhood educaplines including communication, education and the arts. Last year, he and Dr. Jessica Harvey and their students retors throughout China. Over the last two years, he has also transplanted his viewed Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank commuapproach back to the United States, working first with nication materials, designed and conducted a community under-resourced care providers survey, developed and tested in the urban areas of Pittsa series of solicitation letters to determine their effectiveburgh, but then with select Pittsburgh public schools. He ness with potential donors, and helps partners at the Univeranalyzed the results. Graduate students at Carnegie Mellon sity of Pittsburgh to adopt the University then used the results approach for out of school time to create prototypes of new programs from public housing communication tools the food projects to Children’s Mubank could use with various seum and the Science Center. stakeholders in the community. As word spread, the “simple This year, he is working with interactions” approach start to r. Junlei Li is an associate professor music professor Tom Octave reach early education leaderin the Department of Psychological and Saint Vincent Concert ship in Pennsylvania, other Science and co-director and faculty member at the Fred Rogers Center for Early Series director Ann Holmes, states, and at the national Learning and Children’s Media. His research, exploring how SVC students level as well as non-traditional development and teaching have a particular can reach out to the surroundchild development settings like emphasis on under-resourced children. He Children’s Hospital of Pittsing community as ambassadors integrates the public service work and mission of music. They plan to pair up burgh. Starting this year, he of the Fred Rogers Center with the academic music students with child dewill co-lead a new grant from mission of the College and partners who serve the National Science Foundavelopment students, and help children in the larger community. Previously, them emulate how Fred Rogers tion to expand this approach to Li had served as principal research scientist at designed television neighborpromote mathematical learning the Fred Rogers Company, director of applied and social emotional develophood visits with musical guests research and evaluation at the University of in classrooms in local schools. ment in young children. Pittsburgh Office of Child Development and They hope to start with Latrobe “This rapid growth was quite principal investigator on federal research grants at Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a Ph.D. Elementary, blocks away from unexpected,” Li said. “What in psychology and M.A. in instructional science where Fred grew up. They will had been volunteer efforts a from Carnegie Mellon, and a B.S. in computer then develop short lessons and few years ago are now on the science from the University of Notre Dame. The present them in local schools. state and national stage here mission of the Fred Rogers Center is to be true Local elementary students and in China. I think Fred’s to the vision of Fred Rogers, helping all children would be invited to the concert message resonated with people to grow as confident, competent and caring series, including opportuniwho actually help children.” human beings. Li is also spreading that ties to meet the musicians and message at Saint Vincent, their instruments prior to the where he teaches classes and manages Incubator 143, an concert in a “petting zoo” format. undergraduate research, service and development lab that “This is what I learned from Fred Rogers: going after the revolves around the work of Fred Rogers. (The name refers deep and simple in everything we do. Deep and simple to the number of letters in each word of “I love you” and is far more essential than shallow and complex,” Li said. was Fred’s favorite number). “There are very small and wonderful things you can do that The lab has grown over the past two years from just a have great impact on children, even when you don’t think handful of students to more than 10 across multiple acayou have all the resources.” Initial funding for Dr. Li’s position is provided by a grant from The demic departments. The most experienced student now Heinz Endowments, which supports efforts to make southwestern Pennserves as the lab manager. Through the lab, students study sylvania a premier place to live and work, a center for learning and eduFred Rogers’ work, participate in research, and engage in cational excellence, and a region that embraces diversity and inclusion. serving professionals and organizations who help children.
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New Major Builds Foundation FOR Careers IN Allied Health, Sciences By Don Orlando
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new academic major in integrated science beginning this fall provides undergraduate students in the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing with options in the sciences that combine courses from multiple traditional disciplines. “Students will have an opportunity to develop basic skills by taking foundational courses in science, mathematics and computing,” said Dr. Stephen Jodis, dean of the Boyer School. “They then will focus on additional science content in advanced courses in a concentration that is matched to their goals such as allied health, chemical and biological analysis, applied physics or science, technology and society.” Two seminars in the first and fourth years of the program will help students integrate the concepts from multiple disciplines to solve real world problems through case studies and projects. Jodis noted that the Boyer School already has three interdisciplinary majors— environmental science, bio-
Dr. Stephen Jodis, dean of the Boyer School, and Dr. Caryl L. Fish, who chairs the new Department of Interdisciplinary Science. careers and further postbachelor’s study in the allied health fields,” Jodis said. Another need for the new major is for current students whose interests are not solely in one traditional science discipline. “The chemical and biological analysis concentration focuses on laboratory skills and would be good preparation for students who want to work in the laboratory or quality assurance,” Fish said. “There are an increasing number of positions that require both chemical and biological techniques. Similarly, the applied physics concentration prepares students to work in industrial positions such as instrument technician, process management, scientific data analysis as well as graduate programs in radiation physics or medical physics. The last concentration, science, technology and society, is designed for students with a more liberal arts approach to science. These students
informatics and biochemistry—and the new major will build on those majors. The integrated science major will be part of a new department, the Department of Interdisciplinary Science, which will also include the majors in bioinformatics and environmental science and is chaired by Dr. Caryl L. Fish, associate professor of chemistry. Fish said that the motivation for the new major was to adapt to the increasingly interdisciplinary approach to scientific problem-solving. “This major will help to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the future,” she said. “This was our vision when we built the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. We expect that the addition of this major will greatly enhance our attractiveness to students who want pursue a career in the sciences.” “The integrated science major, and in particular the allied health concentration, will prepare students for
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might be interested in law school, professional writing, philosophy of science or some other non-traditional science career.” Jodis said that modern science has evolved into a fundamentally interdisciplinary and collaborative environment: “To succeed in such a complex environment, understanding the foundations of the core mathematics, physical and life sciences, as well as the tools of computer and information science has become increasingly essential to success.” In addition to Jodis and Fish, the integrated science major was developed by a faculty committee that includes Dr. Daryle H. Fish, associate professor of chemistry; Dr. David W. Grumbine, associate professor of physics; Dr. James S. Kellam, assistant professor of biology; and Dr. Anthony Serapiglia, assistant professor of computing and information science.
Fall 2015
Dr. William J. Hisker, professor of management, utilizes the high-tech classroom for the hybrid online master of science in management: Operational Excellence program.
New Master’s Program
and now also have the option to take classes online by leveraging a new technology system. The heart of the system is a pan zoom tilt camera that shoots in all directions that has been installed in classroom 41 of Alfred Hall. “The direction of the camera is controlled by mats on the floor that are pressure sensitive,” said Ian Dunlap, former technical coordinator in information services who helped design the room and who installed all of the equipment. “The faces of all of the students in the class— whether they are present in the classroom or thousands of miles away—appear on a screen in the classroom along with the instructor. And the instructor has the ability to project anything written on a whiteboard as well as auxiliary images from PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, Internet sites or other sources.” “In addition, two ceiling microphones are permanently installed and the professor wears a microphone,” Dunlap said. “We also installed an interactive projector that is unique in that all of the smart board capabilities are built into the projector itself. We have dual projectors
Offers Online Option
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By Don Orlando
he Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence (MSMOE) program is now offering a hybrid online option in a new high-technology classroom on campus. “Operational Excellence goes beyond short-term initiatives and just leveraging ‘quick fix’ improvement tools,” said Dr. Michael Urick, assistant professor of business in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government and program director. “OE allows employees to grow and develop while providing the value demanded by customers. This occurs by being able to continuously improve, problem solve and eliminate waste—activities that are emphasized throughout the curriculum.” Students in the program can take courses face-to-face Saint Vincent Magazine
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preserves the advantage of the in-class experience.” and dual monitors as well. It’s slick because you can use The MSMOE program is applicable to “those in service it like a tablet where you just point on the screen and industries just as well as manufacturing,” Urick said. “Our move things around.” focus on continuous improvement, problem solving and “We call this our hybrid learning environment,” Urick waste reduction applies to a said. “While many students broad range of industries and choose to participate facejob roles. If you care about to-face, we have one student ost online classes either strengthening how who participates from China don’t have an oninfluential you are in your and logs on at 5:30 a.m. leadership role or eventually Others cycle back and forth campus presence. becoming a leader in your depending on their work and Technology has allowed us to organization, this is a good travel schedules. Some like program to choose.” to come to campus when accomplish some nice things by being “With an MBA you get a lot they can but like the fact that able to keep their (online students’) of different general concepts they can always log on from related to law, finance and a remote site if their work or faces in the classroom.” economics,” Urick added. family responsibilities require —Dr. William J. Hisker “In our MSMOE program we their presence.” focus on becoming a manCurrent students log in Professor of Management to classroom lectures from ager—strategically leading an Georgia, West Virginia, organization, crafting goals Florida and California among other areas. As an online and helping an organization deliver on those goals. We learner, students are expected to log-in during class lecfocus on the idea of leading people—getting to undertures to join their in-classroom counterparts in order to stand who your employees are, what motivates them and contribute to discussions. This approach is unique from how you can build team work among them. But we also many other programs with online options. want you to understand your customers, the people who “With most online programs, you never even see what are going to buy your products or services. You need to the professor looks like. You never hear their voice,” understand process, how to document what’s actually Dunlap said. “With our system, it makes it seem like you going on in an organization, how to measure it and how are there with everyone else. So, it is much different.” to improve upon those processes. It’s much more de“Part of the philosophy of the program is the idea of tailed in specific areas related to management than you the community in the classroom,” Urick said. “We don’t would get from a traditional graduate business degree want to lose that just because we’re having online classlike an MBA.” es. This is very much in line with the overall approach to education that Saint Vincent has and what also makes this program unique and value-added.” “Most online classes don’t have an on-campus presence,” said Dr. William J. Hisker, professor of management, who was the first to teach in the updated classroom. “Technology has allowed us to accomplish some nice things by being able to keep their (online students’) faces in the classroom.” “The major benefit to the students is flexibility,” Hisker said. “Because these are graduate students and many of them do not have control over their schedules, it’s not uncommon for them to have to travel for business on short notice. But this system gives them the ability to control their schedules and
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Saint Vincent Graduates Find Home With Pittsburgh Steelers By Kim Metzgar
teve Meyer, C’10, sincerely, not ostentatiously, says he has not worked a day since graduation. He and Mike Hustava, C’12, were tossing a football around for a photo shoot for this article at Chuck Noll Field during the last days of the 50th Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent. But unlike the thousands of other visitors who come to campus each year sporting black and gold, Meyer and Hustava were wearing their work clothes.
“I love my job,” said Meyer, a coaching assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It’s a dream job.” Hustava is the marketing coordinator for the recentlylaunched Steelers Nation Unite, a social media outreach program for the team’s supporters, known universally as some of the best fans in the world. The hours are long, but for both men, who grew up in Pittsburgh, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Meyer played wide receiver at Woodland Hills High School and began studying at Community College of Allegheny County following graduation. When the football program at Saint Vincent re-started, he transferred in, playing for three years. After graduation he became a volunteer coach with the tight ends, then with the running backs. Steve Meyer, C’10, below, and Mike Hustava, C’12, at right, at the 50th Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent.
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here are things you experience every day, but going to work in the office every day and seeing those six Lombardi trophies makes it real.” —Steve Meyer, C’10
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Meyer applied for an internship in 2013. He spent two years working with the scouting department of the team, both pro and college, learning what to look for and getting a chance to help evaluate players, going to games and watching lots of film. That work paid off when he became a coaching assistant in May. He does whatever is needed to help the team, assisting with the defense in individual drills, working with film breakdown and study, scouting opponents, working with the offense, special teams or anything that is needed. “It goes in cycles,” Meyer said. “We don’t get paid by the hour.” During the season it’s a seven-day workweek, beginning between 6:30 and 7 a.m., with days sometimes running until 9 p.m. or later. Off-seasons can be a little less intense, but the preparations for the following year’s challenges continue unabated. While many days with the team stand out, Meyer said one of his most vivid memories is stepping onto the sidelines that first game and feeling the atmosphere. When the team travels to different venues to play he likes to get out on the field before everyone else. “I take some time and reflect and realize how special it is to be doing what I’m doing, how special it is to be here. I still don’t believe it sometimes.” Saint Vincent Magazine
“I’ve always wanted to coach,” he said, “to help kids. In high school I had friends who didn’t have a lot. There were kids who had no direction. I saw that their main source of guidance was the coaches.” While working in the National Football League was an end goal, Meyer said he still tries to find time to go back and talk to high school students, to tell them there is a different way out of the ‘hood, to give back. Hustava, who went to Baldwin High School, is also helping to give back—to the team’s dedicated legion of fans. He was helping the team complete its first training camp with the Steelers Nation Unite program, launched in October 2014. Followers of the team on social media might have noticed an increased presence on social media, with a Facebook® page of more than 60,000 fans and a website, steelersnationunite.com. “It’s our way of thanking Steelers Nation for being the best fans in the world!,” the sites proclaim. Like Meyer, Hustava has found a home with the team, and before that, a home at Saint Vincent. He wanted to play baseball in college, but wasn’t all that sure about Saint Vincent. Then he came for a visit. “As soon as I walked onto campus, I had a feeling this was where I would end up,” he said. “From the people who gave us the tour, to the professors to the baseball 11
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Hustava was sitting in a marketing class with Dr. Thomcoach, no other school I visited felt that right. It was a good fit.” as Cline when the callback came. “I didn’t even ask to be He knew he wanted to study communication, but excused,” he said. “I was offered the position.” wasn’t sure how he wanted to apply his studies after He turned down a graduate school scholarship to graduation. “I had an idea I wanted to do something with Duquesne University, taking a huge leap of faith that the sports, but I wasn’t quite sure.” internship would lead to other things. All communication majors are required to do an intern“I graduated on May 12 and started full-time in media relations on May 15,” he ship and Sports Informasaid. The internship intion Director Jeff Zidek set him up with a sumvolved going to marketmer internship with the ing events and working Washington Wild Things with the front office staff. baseball team in western “They give you a lot of Pennsylvania. That only responsibility right away,” confirmed his interest he said. “There were in using his skills in the a lot of people around sports arena. to help along the way. Dr. Melissa Cook, who It was a great learning chairs the communicaexperience.” Following the interntion department, called him at home in 2011 ship, Hustava was ofabout the possibility of fered a full-time posian internship with the tion, and is now making Steelers and recomhis presence felt with Steelers Nation Unite. mended him. was awestruck to be able to see the His most memorable He met with Burt inner workings of the top organization experience so far was Lauten, the team’s comtraveling with the team munication director, and in all of sports. I kept thinking how to London two years ago. was offered the position. fortunate I was to be 20 years old and to He spends a good deal of “It was an awesome time on the road, travelexperience,” he said. “I have the opportunity to work closely with the was awestruck to be able ing to team events and to see the inner workings meeting former players team.” —Mike Hustava, C’12 (top) of the top organization in and interacting with fans. all of sports. I kept think“Everybody has a story,” he said. “I’m so ing how fortunate I was fortunate to be able to to be 20 years old and be a part of an organizato have the opportunity to work closely with the tion with such class and team.” respect and such a fan During his final sebase. “It has taken a lot of mester of college, he time, dedication and reached out to the team, sacrifice to get into the knowing that a two-year field,” he added. “There post-graduate position are a lot of long hours. was opening up. He was But I’ve been extremely interviewed in March. fortunate.” “We were on a spring “There are things you break trip with the baseexperience every day,” Meyer said, “but going to work ball team, in Virginia for the second part of our southern swing of games,” he said. “It was late at night on a Friday in the office every day and seeing those six Lombardi trophies makes it real. That’s what we’re chasing. That’s and I noticed that I had a missed call and voicemail. It was Burt Lauten. I called the office the next day and then why we’re here. I’m blessed to be doing what I’m doing.” waited all weekend.”
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Saint Vincent Ranks Well On College Scorecard, U.S. News
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aint Vincent College ranked well both nationally and in its peer group in every category featured on the new U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard which was introduced September 12. In the area of graduation and retention, Saint Vincent was noted to have a graduation rate of 71 percent, well above the national average of 44 percent. “Students Who Return after Their First Year” was 85 percent, well above the national average of 67 percent. In the department’s analysis of earnings after school, 70 percent of Saint Vincent students earned, on average, more than those with only a high school diploma with an average salary of $44,200, nearly $10,000 and more than 32.5 percent above the national average. “Saint Vincent College recognizes the sacrifices families make to educate their children and works very hard to keep the cost of a college education affordable for its students,” said Suzanne English, vice president for admission, marketing and communications. “Among a group of 20 previously identified peer schools, Saint Vincent costs are in the lowest five. Saint Vincent offers merit scholarships between $14,000 and $20,500 per year to help deserving students afford a high-quality, private college education. More than 97 percent of undergraduates and 100 percent of freshmen receive some form of aid, including scholarships, grants or student loans.”
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The complete report is now available online at https:// collegescorecard.ed.gov. For the sixth consecutive year, Saint Vincent College is ranked in the first tier of national liberal arts colleges in the 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Guidebook. The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including graduation and retention rates, assessment of excellence, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving. “We appreciate this external recognition by U.S. News & World Report, acknowledging Saint Vincent College’s academic quality, excellent retention and graduation rates and the fact that we provide an outstanding college experience at a reasonable cost,” said College President Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B. The rankings of more than 1,400 schools nationwide are available at www.usnews.com/colleges. In addition to U.S. News & World Report, Saint Vincent’s programs have earned recognition by Money magazine (25 Best Private Colleges in the U.S. for Merit Aid), Forbes business magazine (America’s Top Colleges), College Factual (No. 1 Best for the Money in Pennsylvania), NerdScholar (one of Pennsylvania’s Biggest Bank for Your Buck Colleges), Barron’s (One of Best Buys in College Education) and Washington Monthly (Best Bang for the Buck).
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“W
e can become so absorbed in doing that we lose sight of why we are
doing; we lose sight of our aims.” —Rev. Quentin Schaut, O.S.B.
Quentin Schaut, O.S.B.: A Life Well-Lived By Kim Metzgar
“We greet you as a remarkably capable, extraordinarily sane administrator, a teacher inspiring because inspired. We envy your many characteristics, not the least among which are gentlemanliness, humaneness, Benedictine refinement. Humor—that excellent calibrator of the noncalcified mind—has come to be known, through you, as Quentinian, an adjective identifying a charm as mercurial as Mercutio’s.” Above, the Holy Rule window from the Basilica Crypt, which Father Quentin commissioned from artist Emil Frei during the renovation for the Archabbey’s centenary. Father Quentin wrote: “The hand of Saint Benedict writing the
Holy Rule predominates in the first of the windows. Two descending lines begin at the Chi Rho, a symbol for Christ (the first two letters of the name in Greek), and at the triangle representing the Blessed Trinity at the top of the composition. The lines descend in waves of inspiration—one to the pen in the hand of Saint Benedict, and the other traced by the Holy Ghost in the form of the Dove to the words ‘Holy Rule.’ Across the window is the declaration, ‘This is the Law.’ When a candidate seeks admission into the monastery, the
Rule is to be read to him, says Saint Benedict. And then he is to be told, ‘This is the law’ under which he will have to live if Saint Vincent Magazine he chooses to remain in the monastery.”
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hose words—taken from the citation for the honorary degree given to Father Quentin Schaut, O.S.B., by Saint Vincent College—bespeak his character. Going through an archival box from the Archabbey Archives it takes only a few moments for one to determine that words were important to him. Thoughtful. Witty. Wise. Quiet. Unassuming. Others used those words to describe him. He was a Harvard-educated scholar who later received a doctorate from Oxford University. He taught Chaucer. He was chairman of the English Department. He was director of spiritual life at Saint Vincent Seminary. When the archabbey and college initiated a new governance model, separating the roles of archabbot and president, he became the first non-archabbot president of Saint Vincent College. Then, along with another Benedictine, Father Egbert Donovan, O.S.B., he was sent to Penn State University and by invitation of the local bishop, charged with building a Catholic center there to serve 14
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the needs of 4,000 Catholic students. He did that and more—by the time he left central Pennsylvania the number of students involved with Catholic Campus Ministry was more than 9,300. Yet those simple facts belie the seemingly simple aspects of being a monk and priest born at the turn of the twentieth century in St. Marys, Elk County. He came to Saint Vincent Preparatory School and stayed for College and Seminary. He made his monastic profession at age 21, and was ordained a priest six years later. He worked in the Prep until being sent to graduate school, then returned to Saint Vincent to teach English, chairing the department until his appointment as College president in 1955. He served as president for six years until he was sent to Penn State with Father Egbert, a monk who became the eighth archabbot of Saint Vincent in 1967. Monastic folklore provides insights to his wit, as the story has it he turned to Father Egbert in the car as they were pulling away from the monastery to depart for State College and said, “Did you notice all eyes were dry?” Catholic students at Penn State, if they were able to find transportation, went to Our Lady of Victory Church, a local parish. The work of tending to their spiritual needs, in addition to regular parishioners, was beginning to overwhelm the local parish clergy. Thus, at the invitation of Bishop J. Carroll McCormick of AltoonaJohnstown, Fathers Quentin and Egbert were sent to assist in the formulation of plans for construction of a Catholic center at the university. The diocese had purchased a site in 1960 and developed a budget of approximately $500,000 for the project. The campus chapel seated less than 200. Schwab Auditorium had been used for services by ministers from another denomination, leaving only early morning, Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon for Catholic services. Use of other buildings, or even a classroom, was impossible because there was no place to store an altar. “The Benedictines desperately needed a home for students they served,” Eric Walker wrote in a history of Eisenhower Auditorum published by Penn State called Town and Gown. Since the state could not give funding to build a chapel for religious purposes, Walker wrote, “the idea was conceived of modifying the proposed auditorum so that it could be used as a chapel as well as an auditorium and additionally providing a special room in which to store religious artifacts.” The altar would be provided by non-state funds. With the help of the chair of the state House Appropriates Committee, Philadelphia Democrat Marty Mullen, $3.5 million was secured via a bond issue. Ten years later, Walker recounted, and $1.2 million over budget, the building opened. When Father Quentin retired at age 81 in 1981, his correspondence indicates heartfelt gratitude for his work at Penn State, which lasted more Magazine than two decades. Saint for Vincent 15
“F
ew bishops could ever hope to have the
loyal collaboration of a Father Quentin—a cultured, scholarly gentleman, an exemplary priest and religious, a serenely joyous companion, a treasured friend.” —Bishop James J. Hogan VI Bishop, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Fall 2015
Benedictine Scholarships
“It was not long after your arrival that it was possible to sense a real difference among the students,” wrote John R. Hayes. “Few bishops could ever hope to have the loyal collaboration of a Father Quentin—a cultured, scholarly gentleman, an exemplary priest and religious, a serenely joyous companion, a treasured friend,” wrote Bishop James J. Hogan, successor to Bishop McCormick. Leopold J. Krul, O.S.B., who was archabbot at the time of Father Quentin’s retirement, noted “for the whole house, for the monastery and community, I want to be grateful to you for all the good that you have done and for the name that you have given to Saint Vincent in and around Penn State. You have not only personally, but I am convinced, communally, indicated what example you can do to bring about God’s will in any environment. Words of gratitude can be given, feelings can be somehow shown but the true expression is never present.” While his tenure as president of Saint Vincent College was one-third shorter than his 21 years at Penn State, his impact was felt in a similar fashion. “His Chaucer class, his delight, proved a joy to many but a bane to some courageous students whose modest efforts to master contemporary English frequently fell short of Father Quentin’s higher than usual expectancy,” Archabbot Egbert said in his 1986 funeral homily for Father Quentin. “Students also recall the Reading Program he inaugurated as President. “Practically alone, he conceived the idea to renovate the Crypt in order to mark the Abbey’s centenary in 1946. His words are these: ‘The Crypt should stand as a permanent memorial to the efforts of the monks laboring for the first hundred years on American soil, a tribute to the pioneers as well as an inspiration to Benedictines of the future.’ ... [The windows] raised the eyebrows of some who thought them too modern although such symbolic representations are as old as the catacombs. Sometime later, Father Quentin would quote Jaroslav Pelikan in the outstanding Lutheran theologian’s distinction relevant to such a matter: ‘Tradition is the living voice of the dead; traditionalism is the dead voice of the living.’ In this project, Father Quentin, really a very frugal person, demonstrated his knowledge of the distinction between quality and luxury.” In a commencement address he delivered at Saint Francis College, Loretto, at which he received an honorary doctorate, Father Quentin noted “we can become so absorbed in doing that we lose sight of why we are doing; we lose sight of our aims.” Fortunately, for students at Saint Vincent and at Penn State, he never did. To honor Benedictines such as Father Quentin who have contributed so much during their lives, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement, 724-805-2949. Saint Vincent Magazine
The Fr. Damian Abbaticchio, O.S.B., International Students Scholarship Fund Established by Rev. Damian A. Abbaticchio, O.S.B., in 2006 to support full-time, international, nonAmerican students. The Fr. Armand-Jean Baldwin, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by Rev. Armand-Jean Baldwin, O.S.B., in 1995 to support all students. The Rev. Aelred J. Beck, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by Dr. Jed Hughes in 2002 to support full-time students on the basis of financial need with preference to parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Youngstown, PA and/or graduates of Benedictine Military High School of Savannah, GA. The Benedictine Sisters Scholarship Fund Established by the Benedictine Sisters to support all students. Rev. Joseph Bronder, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by Rev. Joseph Bronder to support fulltime students. The Father Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B. Alumni Scholarship Fund The scholarship, established in 2001, is awarded to a student who demonstrates academic merit and financial need. The Rev. Edmund Cuneo, O.S.B. Scholarship Fund Established by Carl J. Fuhr, Frederich H. Ruff Jr., Eugene W. Henderson, Mary G. Cuneo and Barbara M. Doerfler along with the family and friends of Father Edmund in 2008 to support all students. The Rev. Alexander Devereux, O.S.B. Scholarship Fund Established by the Maureen and Mark Rossi Charitable Foundation and family and friends of Father Alexander in 2006 to support all students. The Fr. Max Duman Scholarship Fund Established by his family and friends in 1990 to support environmental science majors. The Rev. Augustine Flood, O.S.B. Scholarship Fund Established by Joseph F. Heisel Jr., L.H.D., in 1997 to support students with financial need.
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The Class of 1968/ Rev. Ronald R. Gorka, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund 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. The Rev. Marcian S. Kornides, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by his family and friends in 1999 to support all students. The Brother Patrick Lacey, O.S.B., Student Firefighter Scholarship Fund Established by his family and friends in 2010 to support incoming freshman with an interest in firefighting. The Rev. Joel R. Lieb, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by Louis S. Vodzak, D.D.S., and the family and friends of Father Joel in 1999 to support students with financial need. The Rev. Charles McFadden, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by Robert Pezzoli and the family and friends of Father Charles in 1996 to support all students.
The Rev. Gregory Schramm, O.S.B., & James & Margaret Tseng Loe Friendship Memorial Established by Dr. Barbara Loe in 2006 to support students chosen through an application process. Rev. Louis Sedlacko, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by David R. Pavlock and the family and of Reverend Louis Sedlacko in 2009 to support students studying in math and science. The Fathers Ermin and Julian Smith, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by Cletus B. Smith in 1992 to support all students. The Sister Mary Damian Thaner, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by Mr. Stephen C. Rafferty in 2010 to support students with financial need. The Rev. Ulric Thaner, O.S.B., Scholarship Established by Mr. Stephen C. Rafferty in 2010 to support to support seminary students taking courses in the College. The Rev. Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., Preparatory School Scholarship Fund Established by Dr. Frank S. Trumbower Jr. in 2000 to support all students.
The Rev. John Murtha, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by his family and friends in 1997 to support all students. The Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Minority Student Scholarship The Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Minority Student Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 by the friends and family of Archabbot Nowicki, P’63, C’68, S’72, D’95, in honor of his dedication to providing opportunities for minority students to attend Saint Vincent College.
The Rev. Herman Ubinger, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by Joseph and Henny Heisel, L.H.D., and the family and friends of Father Herman in 1996 to support students with financial need who bring diversity to the College. The Edward Wenstrup, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established to support students studying biology. The Ildephonse Wortman, O.S.B., Scholarship Established by John F. Donovan in 1992 to support all students.
The Rev. Aidan Pfiester, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by Mr. Carl L. Eckels in 1991 to support all students.
Has a monk had an impact on your life? Donate in memory of a beloved monk:
The Owen Roth, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established to support students studying biology.
Contact:
The Rev. Quentin Schaut, O.S.B., Scholarship Established by his family and friends in 1988 to support all students.
Saint Vincent Magazine
The Office of Institutional Advancement 724-805-2948
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Fall 2015
Little Education Library Honors Leonard
Dr. Veronica I. Ent, associate professor and chair of the education department, announced that a “Little Red Schoolhouse Free Library”—a take-abook, leave-a-book receptacle located in the department honors educator and
colleague Dr. Gene Leonard. “Little free libraries are specialized locations with boxes that are mapped online to offer communities a repository for exchanging good reads,” Ent said. Todd Bol of Wisconsin originated the idea in 2009 based on Andrew Carnegie’s free public libraries. Today, there are more than 20,000 little free libraries. Leonard has been a part
of the education department since his retirement from the Greater Latrobe School district where he served as teacher and principal for more than 30 years. He joined the staff through the ScienceWise program. While serving as its director and providing schools with affordable supplies and inquiry lesson kits, he provided science inquiry training for faculty members, teachers and college students. After retiring as the ScienceWise director, he was
an adjunct lecturer for the education department in student teacher supervision. “Dr. Leonard’s methods in mentoring and leadership led college students oneby-one through successful student teaching,” Ent said. “Students often remarked on Leonard’s careful mentorship and positive approach toward helping them succeed. He served as a supervisor model for the department and his techniques and approaches are still in use today.”
Fisher Named To Chemical Society Fellows Program Dr. Matthew A. Fisher, associate professor of chemistry, has been named to the 2015 Fellows Program of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in recognition of outstanding achievements in and contributions to science, the profession and the society. He was recognized for his contribution to the science and profession as an advocate for learning chemistry through real-world issues, as a developer of SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) model courses for undergraduate science students—both
majors and non-majors— and as a leader in efforts to bring sustainability issues into undergraduate education. He was also recognized for his contribution to the ACS community for the education-related efforts of the Committee on Environ-
Saint Vincent Magazine
mental Improvement (CEI), which he chaired, and for creating and launching an ACE-CEI Award for incorporation of sustainability into chemistry education. “As a Senior Fellow, Dr. Fisher has contributed to this national science curriculum reform project for more than a decade, walking the talk in his own classroom, publishing his work and engaging other instructors across the country via workshops and presentations,” Dr. Cathy Middlecamp wrote in his nomination letter, commending his work in Science Education for New 18
Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER). “As a Carnegie Scholar in 2005, Dr. Fisher used this national platform to bring the scholarship of teaching and learning to the wider chemical education community both through his writing and his speaking engagements about chemistry and civic engagement.” Fisher’s service in the ACS community has had a lasting impact and resulted in significant enhancements to ACS programs, products and services. He has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of WisconsinMadison. Fall 2015
Coverlet Curator, History Lecturer Contributes To Book
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auren M. Churilla, curator of the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery and lecturer in the department of history, is a contributor to Kentucky by Design: The Decorative Arts and American Culture, edited by Andrew Kelly and published by the University of Kentucky Press in July. “The Index of American Design was one of the most significant undertakings of the Federal Art Project—the visual arts arm of the Works Progress Administration, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal,” Churilla said. “This ambitious initiative set out to discover and document an authentic American style in everyday objects. The curators of the Index combed the country for art of the machine age— from carved carousel horses to engraved powder horns to woven coverlets—created by artisans for practical use. In their search for a true American artistic identity, they also sought furniture designed by regional craftsmen laboring in isolation from European traditions.” “Kentucky by Design offers the first comprehensive examination of the objects from the Bluegrass State featured in this historic venture,” she said. “It showcases a wide array of offerings, including architecture, furniture, ceramics, musical instruments, textiles, clothing and glass and metalworks. The Federal Art Project played an important role in documenting and preserving the work of Shaker artists from the Pleasant Hill and South Union communities and their creations are exhibited in this illuminating catalog. Beautifully illustrated with both the original watercolor depictions and contemporary, art-quality photographs of the works, this book is a lavish exploration of the Commonwealth’s distinctive contribution to American culture and modern design.” The book has already been nominated for two awards, she said, the first being “The Fred Kniffen Book Award, established in 1989, given in honor of the work that Saint Vincent Magazine
Professor Kniffen completed as a long-time scholar at Louisiana State University. His work was influential especially in the fields of cultural geography and vernacular architecture and he is known as the founder of an entire approach to looking at and understanding the landscape. The award recognizes the best-authored book in the field of North American material culture. The second is the Allen Noble Book Award, established in 2001, given in honor of the scholarship in cultural geography that Noble has completed. The award recognizes the best-edited book in the field of North American material culture. As a longtime scholar and professor emeritus of geography and planning at the University of Akron, Noble is recognized for his influential and seminal work.” Other co-authors are from The Shelburne Museum, the University of Notre Dame, Truman State University, Pleasant Hill Shaker Village, Lincoln Memorial University, South Union Shaker Village, the American Folk Art Museum, the University of Kentucky, American Historic Services, Liberty Hall Historic Site and the Frazier Museum.
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Johnson Meets With Vice Premier of China Dr. Tina Johnson (right), associate professor of history and director of Chinese Studies, met with the vice-premier of China, Madame Liu Yandongå, at the Confucius Institute at the University of Pittsburgh this summer. Liu visited the United States for the Sixth China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-toPeople Exchange, which officially kicked off in Washington, D.C., in June by Liu and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. More and more students have shown
Schachter Authors Book Chapter interest in both training to teach Chinese as a foreign language and in learning Chinese. The CI-Pitt is one
King Co-Edits Book For CTS
Dr. Jason King, associate professor and chair of the theology department, co-edited a book, God has Begun a Great Work in Us: Consecrated Life and New Ecclesial Movements, with Sr. Shannon Schrein, O.S.F., professor and dean of graduate school at Lourdes University. The publication is the annual volume of the College Theology Society
(CTS) and was published by Orbis Press. “This book of collected essays explores a timely issue in the Catholic church today: religious life,” King said. It consists of 15 essays originally delivered as papers at the CTS annual meeting at Saint Vincent in 2014. “The book offers the reflections and analyses of teachers across a broad spectrum of experience and background,” he said, “including plenary addresses by Sandra Schneiders on the history of religious life in the U.S., Bishop Joseph Tobin on the current state of religious life and Dennis Doyle on new ecclesial movements in the church.” “It comes at a time when the impact and future of religious life is very much a topic of discussion in church circles,” King said.
Saint Vincent Magazine
of the first 25 Confucius Institutes established in the world, and was Confucius Institute of the Year in 2008, 2011 and 2013. Saint Vincent College is a Confucius Classroom in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Confucius Institute. With this partnership, the Confucius Classroom at Saint Vincent College is a regional center for Chinese studies in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, serving a large population that would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn about Chinese language and culture. Saint Vincent is also home to The James and Margaret Tseng Loe China Studies Center, which provides students with the opportunity to study the Chinese language and culture in a campus setting, on study tours to China, and in a study abroad program. A number of competitive scholarships are available to students who wish to expand their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture by traveling abroad. 20
Ben Schachter, professor of fine arts, authored a chapter, “The Eruv: Urban Drawing, Social Structure,” in a book on contemporary drawing, Drawing in the Twenty-First Century, The Politics and Poetics of Contemporary Practice, published by Ashgate Lund Humphries, Ltd. Publishers, London. “This book provides a thought-provoking collection of essays that demonstrates unique ways that artists exploit drawing’s associations with time, immediacy, modesty of means and didactics to address contemporary concerns from the political to the poetic,” said Leslie Jones, curator of prints and drawings at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. “Furthermore, the essays examine drawing’s definition over time, and the recent history of drawing exhibitions and publications that have signaled the medium’s increasing relevance in art of the 21st century. It is an excellent contribution to the contemporary discourse on drawing.” Fall 2015
Antkowiak Authors 1,200-Page Book On Criminal Procedure Dr. Bruce A. Antkowiak, C’74, professor of law, legal counsel and director of the Criminology, Law and Society program, is the author of the fourth edition of Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure: Elements, Analysis and Application, which has been published as a two-volume set by PBI Press. Antkowiak has more than 35 years’ experience in the criminal justice system. The two-volume publication is 1,200 pages in length. He received his law degree from Harvard, magna
cum laude, in 1977. He has served as a federal
Brother Mark Floreanini, O.S.B., associate professor of fine arts, has completed work on a large mural of a banana split which was commissioned by Valley Dairy Restaurants. In addition to the colorful depiction of a banana split, the mural includes reminders
of “Latrobe, Pennsylvania 1904” as “Home of the Banana Split” under a colorful banner which includes the Valley Dairy Restaurant’s logo. Brother Mark estimated that the mural took nearly 50 hours to complete. It was permanently installed at the downtown
prosecutor, a criminal defense attorney in state and federal court and a professor of law at Duquesne University Law School where he taught courses in criminal law, constitutional law, criminal process, Pennsylvania criminal law and federal criminal law. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the graduating classes of 2011 and 2007, and was named Duquesne Law School’s 2007 Teacher of the Year by the Association of American Law Schools. He is the author of two major works on criminal
Brother Mark Goes Bananas With Mural
Saint Vincent Magazine
Latrobe restaurant on Jefferson Street and featured during the third annual Great American Banana Split Celebration in August. The event was sponsored by the Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce. 21
law and has published 11 law review articles in various journals across the country. The publication covers issues from start to finish in criminal proceedings, including pretrial issues, trial issues and special proceedings like grand jury practice and the death penalty. It updates many topics from the previous edition including warrantless vehicle searches, cell phone searches, Internet privacy, plain-view observations, guilty plea issues and others. Dr. John T. Rago, associate professor of law at Duquesne University School of Law, wrote in the foreword, “For many of us, court decisions can seem like beads without a string—opinions without a coherent message or theory for understanding the scope of a particular problem we are working on. For those of us searching for that coherent and trusted message, we have the gift of this treatise on Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure written by my very dear friend, Professor Bruce Antkowiak. “Antkowiak’s writings make vivid the values by which we try to practice our profession. Clarity, efficiency, integrity and eloquence only begin to describe his work. Like Caesar’s wife, his highly influential and adaptable scholarship, his excellent teaching and his many professional achievements are beyond reproach.” Fall 2015
“The joy of men and women who love God attracts others to Him!�
Saint Vincent Students Journey to Philadelphia to Welcome Pope Francis
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wenty-six college students joined the millions of pilgrims in Philadelphia for the visit of Pope Francis in September. Accompanied by Father Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., assistant director of campus ministry, the group participated in the Festival of Families on Saturday where Pope Francis spoke about immigration and religious freedom in Independence Mall. They attended Mass at Saint John the Evangelist Church on Saturday afternoon, celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. That was followed by performances by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Columbian rock musician Juanes and the Philadelphia Orchestra. They also attended the Papal Mass on Sunday afternoon. Students included Veronica Arndt, communication, Saint Vincent Magazine
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Vinemont, Alabama; Julianne Bartko, communication, McKeesport; Michael Dargay, management Greensburg; Michael Dugan, philosophy and theology, Hollywood; Madyson Dyer, education, Lehighton; Chloe Faris, biology Uniontown; Thomas Fitzsimmons, communication, Laytonsville; Jenna Gorsich, Latrobe; Kayla Gross, theology, Prince Fredrick; Emma Hamling, art education, North Haven; Mike Illig, management, Eighty Four; Anastasia Jaeger, biology, Ligonier; Zsombor Kovacs; Carrie Kraemer, business, Edinburg, Virginia; Brett Lenahan, criminology, law and society, Temecula, California; Deborah McGinnis, criminology, law, and socieity, Aliquippa; Rachel Mattica, history, New Brighton; Katelyn Miller, marketing, Spring Grove; Kristen Monier, studio arts, Irwin, Devin Notto, liberal arts, Gettysburg; Allen Sant, computing and information science, Mount Vernon; Jenni Urban, environmental science, Glassport; William Vana, history, Monaca; Daniel Varga; Teresa Yanicko, biology, Russellton; and Brenna Zsebedics, psychology, Odessa, Florida. Eileen Flinn, assistant vice president, accompanied the students and snapped most of the photos. Fall 2015
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Fall 2015
not always finding their faith to be a helpful guide,” Collins said. “Some are turning to hook-ups and no-commitment sex as a way to seek companionship. At Saint Vincent College, we read the headlines, and we have witnessed what can often be negative results of the hook-up culture: unhealthy or abusive relationships, students who want to find someone special and don’t know how, and/ or hurtful emotional and physical repercussions.” Collins said that, based on these concerns and their general sense of responsibility to their students, especially as a Catholic institution, she, Baum and others across campus felt there needed to be support for their students in this important area of their lives. “We made a commitment to reintroFrom left, Mary Collins, vice president for student affairs; Robert Baum, duce our students to the basics of creating dean of students; and Dr. Mary Beth Spore, dean of the School of Social healthy friendships and establishing lasting, Sciences, Communication and Education, were on the planning team for committed romantic relationships,” she said. the Office of Student Affairs mission integration project. “Since 2010 a group of faculty members, administrators and Benedictine monks have been engaging in very open and candid conversations with each other and our students, and we are grateful for the remarkable level of trust we have been able to gain with everyone involved.” “From those efforts, we have created a programming The Office of Student Affairs has been named a national model that supports our students in their desire to create winner in the category of “Best Practices for Mission Inteand establish healthy, lasting relationships,” Baum said. gration” by the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic “Our initiative has now included semester-long seminars, Colleges and Universities (ASACCU) for its program that a weekend retreat, residence life staff training, orientation assists students in the development of healthy relationevents and other presentations and programs throughout ships. each academic year.” Saint Vincent, represented by Mary Collins, vice presiIn addition to Collins and Baum, others included in the dent for student affairs, and Robert Baum, dean of stuinitial planning team were Father Thomas Hart, O.S.B., Dr. dents, was formally recognized at the association’s 16th William Hisker, Father Vernon Holtz, O.S.B., Dr. Jason King, annual conference at Providence College in July. Dr. Christopher McMahon, Dr. Mary Beth Spore, Dr. MarThe Saint Vincent program was selected from among 48 garet Watkins and Dr. Dawn Edmiston (now at the College programs submitted by colleges and universities across the of William and Mary). In addition to the continued involvecountry. ment, several others periodically teach a seminar session. The association’s Mission Integration Steering Commit“Students who participate in the Healthy Relationships tee noted that “there were many quality submissions this seminars and programs repeatedly tell us how important year but your program was chosen for its direct impact on this effort is to them and how it has caused them to reflect student learning and integration of Catholic identity and more carefully on this aspect of their lives,” Collins noted. mission.” “Our long-term vision for this project is to continue with Members of the committee include Josh Clark, vice the current elements while exploring opportunities for president for student development and dean of students at greater student education and involvement.” Brescia University; Father Gerry Olinger, C.S.C., vice presiThe Mission Integration Awards recognize programs or dent for student affairs at the University of Portland; and practices in the areas of residence life, student activities Rick Saterlee, vice president for student life at Manhattan and diversity and inclusion that contribute to their area and College. integrate Catholic teaching and identity. The awards seek “It’s no secret that many young adults have lost touch to recognize innovative and effective approaches in mission with the basics of friendship, dating and courtship, and are integration using ASACCU’s principles of good practice.
Student Affairs Office Receives National Award
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Puerling Creates New App To Help Childen With Visual Arts A new free iPad application—ChromaKids—for families to nurture children’s ability to develop relationships through a visual arts activity, has been created by Brian Puerling, the Early Career Fellow for The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. The app allows children 3 to 8 years old to cocreate stories and illustrations with an adult, accompanied by an audio narrative. The children can send their creations to friends, who can add to the drawings and return them, sharing in the cre-
ative experience together. ChromaKids enables children to express what they are learning and thinking about, and then stay in contact with others through storytelling and art. ChromaKids was illustrated by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr, who has collaborated with People Magazine, Target, Sesame Street, Hilton Hotels and General Mills. Technical programming was provided by Synvata, a Chicago-based enterprise software firm. “This fellowship height-
ened my appreciation for the multi-touch mobile device application development process,” said Puerling. “I am always looking for new ways to understand and appreciate trends and initiatives that look to promote develop-
mentally appropriate practices with digital media and technology. Chroma Kids was developed with the intention of providing a meaningful experience for children and their caregivers.” Puerling, a national board-certified teacher, is the author of Teaching in the Digital Age: Smart Tools for Age 3 to Grade 3, a graduate of Erikson Institute, a member of the board of directors for Chicago Metro Association for the Education of Young Children and an active presenter, reviewer and consultant.
Four-Time SGA Honoree Completes Career At Saint Vincent Veronica Isaacs, a cashier in Dining Services, recently completed her career at Saint Vincent. A member of the staff with Parkhurst Dining Services since 2006, Isaacs was known for her ability to greet every student by name. That skill and her resulting popularity led the Student Government Association to honor her four times in the past eight years at the annual honors convocation. A Greensburg native, Isaacs has relocated to Maryland, the birthplace of her husband, Aaron, a difficult decision. “I just love all of the students here,” Isaacs said, “and will miss every one of them. I really enjoyed greeting each of the students and talking briefly with them as they checked
in at the dining hall. Sometimes they would tell me they were worried about a test or something and would ask me to pray for them. They knew that I would and I would ask how
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they did when I saw them the next day. Other times I would just ask them how they were or tell them what was good on the menu. I like people and I like working with the public.” 25
“I have always had a good memory,” she said. “When students would show me their identification card with their name and picture on it, it didn’t take me long to learn all of their names since many of them come in three times a day. And of course they all knew my name. We are like a big close family.” “An employee like Veronica is difficult to replace,” said Food Services Senior General Manager Reggie Esmi. “Everyone here will miss her.” A Facebook® post on her departure reached 19,500 people, had 2,000 clicks, 457 likes, 86 comments and 94 shares. Isaacs has a stepdaughter, Doressa Batman, and two grandchildren, Elante and Aaron Jr. Fall 2015
63 Named To Academic Honor Roll A total of 63 Saint Vincent student-athletes from the winter and spring sports seasons were named to the 2015 Spring Academic Honor Roll by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. The amount was the second highest among full-time member PAC schools. Leading the way for Saint Vincent was the Ohio River Lacrosse Champion women’s lacrosse team. The team, under the direction of head coach Jym Walters, saw 10 studentathletes lauded for their strong academic work. Women’s track, women’s basketball and women’s swimming all had seven student-athletes represented on the list. Men’s swimming and men’s track each had six student-athletes honored. To be eligible, studentathletes must have earned a 3.6 grade-point average or better during their semester of competition. A total of 480 student-athletes from around the conference were honored this spring.
Golfers Finish 2nd Behind a fourth-place showing from Samm Firestone, the women’s golf team finished in second place in the PAC Fall Golf Championships, held at the Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon. Firestone, who was fourth after shooting first-round 92, shot an 87 in round two, finishing at 179 and holding fourth place.
Men’s Cross Country Team Ranked 10th The Saint Vincent men’s cross country team was featured in the Division III U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association preseason rankings. SVC was ranked 10th in the Mideast Region by the organization, as it was the only team from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference ranked in the poll. Saint Vincent finished last season at 11th in the regional team rankings. The team defeated a field of 15 other schools to win the annual Saint Vincent College Invitational, held on the campus course. The Bearcats placed two runners in the top five among a field of 168 runners, including several from NCAA Division II schools, en route to the top score of 59. Sawyer Palonder placed second (26:47), while Brandan Moretton was third (26:59). SVC’s team average for the top runners was 27:36.4, nearly 30 seconds faster than the second place team’s average.
Bearcat Offense Goes Into High Gear Vs. Thiel After putting together a historic offensive performance, the Saint Vincent football team saw sophomore quarterback Tyler Donahue and senior kicker Steven Scherer named as Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Players of the Week on October 5. Donahue ignited Saint Vincent’s offense in a 65-14 Homecoming win over Thiel. The sophomore quarterback totaled 435 yards despite playing only in the first half as he earned PAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Donahue competed 8-of-14 passes for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 93-yard scoring strike to Damon Black, and rushed 11 times for a PAC single-game quarterback record 270 yards and a score. His 82-yard second quarter run is the second-longest run from scrimmage in the league this season. Scherer continued his perfect season in the win over Thiel, making all three field goal attempts (22, 25, 26) and going 8-for-8 on extra points. Scherer has converted on 4-of-4 field goals and 20-of-20 extra points this season. At press time Saint Vincent was 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the PAC heading into its bye week.
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Fall 2015
Alumni Cross Country Race Draws Record Number of Runners The 11th Annual Saint Vincent Alumni Race was held on the college cross country course, with 128 participants, a record number, competing. The field, including 45 alumni, was led to the finish by current senior Sawyer Palonder, who set a new course record of 16:14 for the 5K distance. Adam Smith, C’09, was second overall and the top alumni finisher at 16:41. The top female finisher was Kara Shirley, C’07, timed in 21:24. Maggie Czapski, who is a member of the current women’s team, was second in 21:30. In the team competition, the current men’s team defeated the alumni by a score of 21-40, while the women’s alumni team took top honors, 24-32 over the current team.
Defender Kenna ECAC Mid-Atlantic All-Star Senior defender Patrick Kenna was named a 2015 Division III Mid-Atlantic Men’s Lacrosse All-Star by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Kenna was lauded as a Second Team performer by the ECAC. Kenna put together a strong final season for the Bearcats, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference and First Team All-League accolades. Kenna led the ORLC in ground balls (143) in its inaugural season. The Chantilly, Virginia, native also caused 29 turnovers and tallied 20 points (12 goals and 8 assists). The defensive stalwart totaled doubledigit ground balls in eight different games. Kenna helped the Bearcats to a 9-7 overall record and a runner-up finish in the ORLC Tournament.
Harbert Receives Certificate Of Appreciation The NCAA Division III Track & Field Coaches Association has presented Saint Vincent’s Tom Harbert with a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to the sport in our region. The proclamation reads that Harbert was honored for his “outstanding contributions to track and field. Your interest, devotion and assistance have been a great factor in the promotion of the world’s oldest sport—track and field. May this certificate always be a reminder of the high esteem in which you are held by your colleagues.” Harbert has been coaching cross country at Saint Vincent for more than 30 years and has spent more than 50 years at the college coaching wrestling, men’s and women’s lacrosse in addition to cross country. He has announced his retirement at year’s end.
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Fall 2015
Taking part in the Athletic Hall of Fame awards presentation were front, from left, Richard Stillwagon, C’69, Alumni Office; Enrico Campi, C’84; Doug Pohland, C’80; David Baker, C’79; Larry Williams, C’86; Anthony Sciulli, C’87; Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., P’61, C’66, S’69, president; Alvin Caldwell Jr., C’86; row two, from left, Marcia Nelson, C’90; Richard Payne, C’62; Brian Toomey, C’89; Dean Zanella, C’87; Mike Gerdich, C’98, Alumni Director; row three, from left, Mike Petrarca, C’80; Joe Rossowski, C’78; Sharon White, C’88; Dan Bobrowski, C’87; Brooke W. Scott, C’86; George Toomey Jr., C’87; row four, from left, Rev. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., C’69, S’73, director of athletics; Randy Dyer, C’70; Robert Page, C’83; Martin Kohler, C’96, Frank Butter, C’87; Ed Sagan Jr., C’87; Randy Rossi, C’87; Greg Petrosky, C’89.
Ten Named Athletes Of Distinction
Saint Vincent College inducted nine individual members and two teams into its Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. The 1978 varsity bowling team, coached by the late Brother Patrick Lacey, O.S.B., the only Saint Vincent team to ever win a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship title, was inducted, as was the 1985 men’s soccer team, which won its first round game in the NAIA National Tournament. Bowling team members were Gary Giacobbi, C’80; Kevin McCauley, C’79; Mike Petrarca, C’80; Jim Petrosky; Doug Pohland, C’80; Joe Rossowski, D.D.S., C’78; and Ron Uveges, C’80. Soccer team members
were Dan Bobrowski, C’87; Ricky Boysen, C’86; Alvin Caldwell Jr., C’86; Sharon Coutu-Donovan, C’87 (statistician); Pete Guevara, D.M.D., C’87; Dennis Hester, C’88; George R. Mackey, C 89; Frank Minni, C’87; Frank Perez, C’89; Greg Petrosky, C’89; Chris Riding, C 89; Randy Rossi, C’87; Ed Sagan Jr., C’87; Anthony Sciulli, C’87; Mike Skladanek, C’86; Brian Toomey, C’89; George Toomey Jr., D.C., C’87; Larry Williams, C’86; and Dean Zanella, C’87. DAVID J. BAKER, C’79 Baker, of Baden, earned a bachelor of arts degree with honors in psychology with a minor in industrial relations. A four-year varsity letterman and captain of the soccer team in his senior year, Baker earned a master’s degree in human resource man-
Saint Vincent Magazine
agement at Saint Francis University and is a certified senior professional in human resources with lifetime distinction by the Human Resources Institute. He supports the Saint Vincent Annual Fund for Students First, participates in Pittsburgh area alumni events, presents workshops for the Saint Vincent Small Business Development Center. A nationallylicensed soccer coach and WPIAL referee, he is the founder of the Beaver Valley Soccer Club and head soccer coach at Quigley Catholic High School. Baker is the managing director and chief executive officer of Human Capital Advisors Inc., author of The Everything HR Kit published by the American Management 28
Association and speaks at more than 20 colleges and universities on best practices in human capital and careers. He and his wife, Patricia Lynn, have four children and three grandchildren. FRANK J. BUTTER, C’87 Butter, of Bethel Park, earned a bachelor of science degree in business management. A four-year starter on the Bearcat varsity baseball team, he served as captain during his senior year and was honored with the Jerome Rupprecht Award and the Bearcat Athletic Club Award and was vice president of his class. Butter earned a master of business administration degree from Robert Morris University. He works as an account direcFall 2015
tor for Jones Lang LaSalle in Pittsburgh. A volunteer with Washington City Mission, he is a former coach of the Bethel Park Baseball Association and was previously nominated for Man of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He and his wife, Darcy, have one son. ENRICO P. CAMPI, C’84 Campi, of Greensburg, earned an associate degree in business management from Westmoreland County Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in history from Saint Vincent. He has served as head men’s tennis coach for 32 years. A member of the Saint Vincent Heritage Society, he is a volunteer for the annual Bearcat Open and for the mid-winter tennis classic at the Greensburg Racquet Club where he also serves as the director of tennis. He is a national referee for the United States Tennis Association. Campi was honored with the Volvo tennis coaches collegiate community service award in 1988, and he has also received other honors including U.S.P.T.A. Coach of the Year, Middle States Tennis Service Award and the U.S.P.T.A. National Industry Action Committee Award for Teaching Service. He is a member and past president of the United States Tennis Association’s Allegheny Mountain chapter. He and his wife, Molly, have one daughter. WILLIAM RANDOLPH DYER, C’70 Dyer, of Rockville, Maryland, earned a bachelor of arts degree in English. He
was a member and co-captain of the varsity wrestling team for two years, and he was honored with the DeLuca Scholar Athlete Award and the Outstanding Athlete Award. Dyer earned a CAM certification in association management from the University of Maryland, a CAE certification in association management from the American Society of Association Executives and a CSSC certification in insurance claims from the University of Notre Dame. Founder and president of TASC, Inc., which provided management and consulting services to trade associations and professional non-profit organizations, he is now a semi-retired management consultant. He and his wife, Susan, have two sons and five grandchildren. MARTIN R. KOHLER, C’96 Kohler, of Cranberry Township, earned a bachelor of science degree in finance. A member and captain of the Bearcat varsity basketball team, he was honored by being named to the Keystone Conference First Team, All-American Team and the Bearcat Award. Kohler is an automotive product trainer for the Sandy Group, a division of GP Strategies in Troy, Michigan. A coach for Saint Vincent summer basketball camps, he also is active with the alumni and friends golf outing. A youth volunteer coach in baseball and basketball, he volunteers with the Ligonier YMCA and the Cranberry Cup. He and his wife, Teri, have two daughters.
Saint Vincent Magazine
MARCIA M. NELSON, M.D., C’90 Nelson, of Murrysville, earned a bachelor of science degree in biology. She completed a master of science degree in exercise physiology at Ohio University and a doctor of medicine degree from Pennsylvania State University. At Saint Vincent, she was a member and co-captain of the cross country team that qualified for the NAIA national championship three times and won the district 18 championship in 1987. Her honors include the NAIA All-American Award, Ralph DeCaprio Award and Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. When she lived in China, she volunteered a great deal with Caritas Shanghai and the local Catholic church. ROBERT D. PAGE, C’83 Page, of Gibsonia, earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication. He was a member of the varsity soccer team and was twice honored as an All-American, and he received the E. Albert DeLuca Award. A member of Rotary International’s Pittsburgh Rotary Club, he sits on the hospitality advisory board of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute and participates in the American Heart Association’s annual heart walk. Page works as the director of sales and marketing for Omni Hotels and Resorts at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh. He and his wife, Sandy, have two sons. RICHARD L. PAYNE, C’62 Payne, of Clarkston, Michigan, earned a bach29
elor of science degree in business management. A four-year letterman on the football team, he was named honorable mention on the All-State Team and a member of the All-District Squad. Payne was also a member for three years and captain of the varsity wrestling team. He attended a program for management development in executive education at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He retired after a 37-year career with General Motors where he served in a series of assignments, most recently as chief financial officer of the Chevrolet Motor Division. He is active in local events and charitable organizations in Oakland County, Michigan. He and his wife, Candace, have three children. SHARON L. WHITE, C’88 White, of Pittsburgh, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history. A member and co-captain of the varsity volleyball team, she also played on the women’s softball team, where she was named to the NAIA First Team All-District. A past member of the Saint Vincent Alumni Council, she also volunteered with the annual fund phonathon. She works as a health facility quality examiner/ surveyor for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and volunteers with the Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue League. She formerly coached the Saint Cyril of Alexandria school (now North Side Catholic) junior varsity and varsity girls’ basketball teams. Fall 2015
Volleyball results
Tennis Team Tops In PAC KETT JOINS COACHING STAFF Sean Kett, who wrapped up his playing career in the spring of 2015, has joined the Saint Vincent men’s basketball coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Kett, a native of Miami, graduated with a degree in business management after a stellar four-year career in green and gold. In 2014-15, he was named to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference First Team, tallying 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He scored a careerhigh 28 points against Thiel, but saved perhaps his best individual game for the NCAA Tournament, when he recorded 26 points against a tough Bates College team. He ended his career with 971 points and 668 rebounds, along with a free throw percentage of .800. “His work ethic is tremendous, and I’m expecting him to bring that same work ethic to the court as a coach,” said head Coach D.P. Harris.
The Saint Vincent women’s tennis team was undefeated in conference play at press time. Junior Susie Ellis (top, left) was in the top three in #1 singles, while senior Jackii Hauser (top, right) was tops in #2 singles.
The Saint Vincent volleyball team recently dropped a tough 3-2 decision to the Frostburg State before bouncing back to sweep La Roche 3-0 in a trim-match. Saint Vincent was at 3-8 overall at press time as the team began the conference schedule.
Stith Playing in australia Golfers at Top in pac Jake Reed won the individual title and the men’s golf team earned top honors in the PAC Fall Golf Championships, held at the Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon. Reed dominated the competition, earning a 9-stroke victory with a 2-day total of 143. Ben Biss (above) finished in a tie for second in the individual competition, and the Bearcat men’s golf team finished second among six teams in the 2015 Grove City Fall Invitational, held at the Grove City Country Club. Biss shot a 71 to finish three strokes behind the individual champion among the field of 38 golfers.
Dillon Stith, C’14, a former Saint Vincent basketball standout and 2014 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year, has signed a deal to remain in Australia for a second season, this time with the McKinnon Cougars of the Big V Basketball League. Last season, playing for Melbourne, he averaged 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds.
women's cross country in invitationals The women’s cross country team finished a strong 5th among 12 teams in the Shenandoah University Invitational held at the Kernstown Battlefield in Virginia. Maggie Czapski was a medalist, finishing 11th, posting a time of 20:52. Libby Volna finished second among the Bearcat harriers, timed in 21:28, while Rachel Glatt was third at 21:50. The team finished 9th among 16 schools competing in the annual SVC Invitational, held on the campus course. Czapski was the top Bearcat finisher, in 38th in 20:46.
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Fall 2015
A Blast From The Past
ALUMNI FRIENDS
&
Anyone know what year this was? Have any good commencement stories? Send comments on the above photo to svmagazine@stvincent.edu.
Coming Soon To A Town Near You! German Christmas Alumni Lunch
Alumni and Friends Pumpkin Fest
Teutonia Mannerchor, North Side, Pittsburgh Thursday, December 17
Pleasure Acres Farm, New Alexandria Sunday, October 11
Altoona Alumni Social Altoona Wednesday, November 18
Johnstown Alumni Social Johnstown Thursday, November 19
Bearcats in the Big Apple
January 7, 2016 New York City (Contact the Alumni Office closer to the date if a gathering site is still to be determined.)
The Alumni Office is planning a number of regional alumni events. For information: alumni@stvincent.edu, 724-805-2568. View the Saint Vincent event calendar at stvincent.edu, or like SVCBearcatAlum on Facebook. Send comments on the above photo to svmagazine@stvincent.edu.
ALUMNI OFFICE • 300 FRASER PURCHASE ROAD • LATROBE • PA • 15650-2690 • 724-805-2568 •ALUMNI@STVINCENT.EDU www.facebook.com/SVCBearcatAlum • www.youtube.com/User/saintvincentcollege @Svcbearcat
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Fall 2015
Ten Named Alumni Of Distinction Ten Saint Vincent College alumni, including one recent graduate, have been named Alumni of Distinction in 2015. The were honored for the recognition with a special dinner over homecoming weekend. JAMES W. BAUMBACH, C’65 James W. Baumbach of Lewes, D e l a ware, is a self-employed government relations consultant. After obtaining a degree in history from Saint Vincent he earned a juris doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law. He served in the U.S. Navy, worked in publishing, was an investigator with the Allegheny County Public Defender’s Office and then chief deputy clerk of courts of Allegheny County. He spent some time in private law practice, was a clerk for Hon. John P. Flaherty, president judge, Civil Division, Allegheny County Court of Common Please; executive assistant, Commissioner Cyril H. Wecht; counsel for Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish & Kauffman; partner with Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell and Hippel; senior vice president of L.F. Rothschild & Co.; shareholder with Basking, Flaherty, Elliott & Mannino; partner with Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel. He also has an extensive resume of volunteer and civic involvement with
more than a dozen organizations, including Saint Vincent and the Charles G. and Anita Manoli Scholarship and Annual Lecture Committee. He and his wife, Helen, have a daughter and two grandchildren. N. PETER CONFORTI, C’65 N. Peter Conforti, of Sparta, New J e r s e y, retired in November of 2013 as a judge of the Superior Court of the state of New Jersey. While he is retired, he continues to serve on a “recall” basis. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science from Saint Vincent, and obtained his juris doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law three years later. He has also done graduate work at the National Judicial College at the University of Nebraska and completed numerous certifications throughout the years. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar Association in 1969, practiced law for 14 years, was a municipal court judge for almost 11 years, and was first appointed as a judge of the Superior Court in 1983. He served more than 30 years on the trial bench in the civil, criminal and family divisions of the court. He is active in Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, Sparta, and Saint Catharines, Spring Lake, New Jersey. He and his wife, Cecelia
Saint Vincent Magazine
(Sheila), have six children and 12 grandchildren. JACKIE R. DIMUNMARCHYSHYN, C’90 Jackie R. Dimun-Marchyshyn of Butler majored in political science at Saint Vincent. Following graduation she earned a juris doctor degree from Capital University in 1993. She currently serves as a custody conciliator and family court solicitor for the County of Butler. She is a member of the Butler County Bar Association and its Domestic Violence Policy Board. She has been active with Junior Women’s Club, the ParentTeacher Organization of her child’s elementary school and is a former board member of the Community Mental Health Center. She and her husband, John Marchyshyn, have one daughter. STEPHEN M. GATES, C’90 Stephen M. Gates of Omaha, Nebraska, is a newsp a p e r columnist for the Omaha WorldHerald, talk radio host at The Mighty 1290 KOIL, and public relations/social media consultant with Gates Strategy. After receiving a bachelor of science degree in political science at Saint Vincent he 32
earned a master of arts in public communications from The American University, Washington, D.C. His career path has taken him from Capitol Hill to the Fortune 200 and the cutting-edge consumer electronics industry. He and his wife, Shelley, have three children. JOSEPH M. HOHMAN, C’70 Joseph M. Hohman of Monroeville is a principal/ partner with Resource Development and Management, Inc. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Saint Vincent, then a master of business administration degree in public administration from the Pennsylvania State University. A member of North American Martyrs Parish, Monroeville, he serves as a seventh-eighth grade varsity boys’ basketball coach at Saint Bernadette, Monroeville; as a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association basketball official and member of its Westmoreland Basketball Chapter as well as the International Association of Basketball Officials. He is a member of the Penn StateGreater Allegheny Advisory Board and member and secretary of the board of Westmoreland Economic Growth Connection. He and his wife, Mary, have two children. Fall 2015
RICHARD A. MEMO, C’67 Dr. Richard A. Memo of Poland, Ohio, is a urologist with NEO Urology Associates, Inc. He earned a bachelor of arts from Saint Vincent, graduated from St. Louis University with his M.D. degree in 1971, completed his internship at St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1972. He completed his urology residency at Ohio State University in 1978 and served his surgical internship there in 19741975. He has received the Doctor of the Year Award for Mahoning County in 2007, Faculty of the Year Award in Urology NEOUCOM in 2008, teaching awards in residency (1978) and practice (1986, 2001), professor of Urology NEOMED (2015), and was named an honorary member of the American Urological Association. He received the Thirlby Award for Outstanding Presentation by a Clinical Urologist (1994, 2003, 2012). He has been a member of the RCIA team at his parish for 15 years, has done urologic care for the disadvantaged since 1978, and participates in free prostate cancer screenings. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, has served with many professional associations through the years and has published widely. He and his wife, Rosemary, have four children and 13 grandchildren.
FRANK R. NELSON, C’70 Frank R. Nelson of North Huntingdon is a retired teacher and diving coach at Franklin Regional High School. After graduating from Saint Vincent with a degree in history, he did graduate work in reading and as a reading specialist, receiving a master’s degree in reading from Duquesne University. He has been a member of Alumni Council at Saint Vincent, a sponsor for alumni reunions and other activities. He is also active at Immaculate Conception Parish, helping with building rehabilitation; the Salvation Army, Project Bundle Up; Special Olympics; Polar Plunge and is president of the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club. Married to Nancy, the Nelsons have four children. JOSEPH W. O’TOOLE, C’60 Joseph W. O’Toole, of Lecanto, Florida, is retired from a career in investm e n t management. He presently serves as director, Phillips 66 Partners and on the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors. He studied political science at Saint Vincent, then earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. His career path has taken him to the Office
Saint Vincent Magazine
of Emergency Planning in the Executive Office of the President during the Kennedy Administration, to Gulf Oil, where he worked as a tax lawyer, then manager in Pittsburgh, Florida, London and Houston. He joined Phillips Petroleum in 1977, where he served as general tax counsel and vice president. Independent business ventures included developing a successful cable television venture in Palm Beach County, Florida, and a selfstorage business in Pittsburgh. Volunteer work includes serving as president of the Bartlesville, Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools; chair of the OK Mozart Festival; co-founder and director of the Citrus County Black Diamond Foundation and president of the Hillcrest Country Club. He and his wife, Mary, have three children and eight grandchildren. STEPHANIE J. WATKINS, C’05 Stephanie J. HewitsonWa t k i n s of Harrisburg was honored with the Recent Alumna Achievem e n t Award. She presently works in government relations for Ridge Policy Group. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science at Saint Vincent and was active with the women’s soccer team. She attended the University of Kent, United Kingdom, and received the L.L.M. degree in public international law. She serves 33
as a board member for the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. She enjoys skiing and would like to plan a trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity. She is married to Kip Watkins. JERRY L. WINKELJOHN, C’85 Jerry L. Winkeljohn of Indian Trail, N o r t h Carolina, received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics. He earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is director of Child Nutrition Special Projects for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. He is currently involved with Team Church. He has served as president of the Methodist Men’s Club at Faith United Methodist Church; was Miami Herald Coach of the Year and Ft. Lauderdale News Sun Sentinel Coach of the Year as well as a Broward County Flanagan High Teacher of the Year finalist. He and his wife, Pamela, have two children.
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olunteer to help our Alumni Recruitment Network spread the word about Saint Vincent. For information call Mary Ann Dunlap at 724-8052568 or email: alumni@stvincent.edu. Fall 2015
In Memoriam: Professor, Priest, Distinguished Alumnus
Rev. Cuthbert Jack, O.S.B.
Rev. Blane Resko, O.S.B.
Msgr. William G. Charnoki
The Saint Vincent community has recently lost three members of the clergy, all priests, one a professor in the College, and all pastors.
advisor and a dormitory moderator in Wimmer Hall at Saint Vincent College. Father Cuthbert was always interested in the Byzantine liturgy and after ordination in 1990 he received bi-ritual faculties from the Vatican’s Congregation for Eastern Churches to serve the faithful of the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. In 2002 he received the appointment to serve as pastor of Saint Mary’s Holy Protection Byzantine Church in Homer City, and he served in that capacity until the time of his death.
of James Barry-Robinson School, Norfolk, Virginia; was assistant headmaster and faculty member of Benedictine High School, Savannah, Georgia; served as pastor of Saint George Parish, Patton; Saint Lawrence Church, St. Lawrence; Saint Mary Parish, Patton; Saint Benedict Parish, Carrolltown, and Saint Bruno Parish, South Greensburg, where he served for ten years until his retirement in 2007.
REV. CUTHBERT A. JACK, O.S.B. A monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Father Cuthbert died May 29, at age 65. A native of Butler, he was a critical care nurse in Mercy’s Burn Trauma Center prior to entering the monastery. After earning master of divinity and master of arts degrees from Saint Vincent Seminary he undertook intense study of French at Middlebury College in Vermont and its graduate program in Paris. He taught French at Saint Vincent College from 1993 to 2015. He maintained the wide interests of his younger days by baking bread for the monastic community, serving as liaison with food service and assisting in the monastery infirmary at Saint Vincent. From 1988 to 1990, Father Cuthbert also served as an Opportunity Program
REV. BLANE L. RESKO, O.S.B. Father Blane L. Resko, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died August 7. He was 85. A native of Patton, he was a 1948 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School, and received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1953. He completed his priesthood studies at Saint Vincent Seminary. He served on the faculty
Saint Vincent Magazine
MSGR. WILLIAM G. CHARNOKI Reverend Monsignor William G. Charnoki, J.C.L., died August 15. He was 77. A priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, he celebrated 50 years of priestly service in May. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College, a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, and a licentiate degree in canon law from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He was assistant pastor of Saint Mary (Nativity) Parish, Uniontown, and 34
its former mission, Saint Cecilia Parish, Lemont Furnace; pastor of the former Saint Stanislaus Parish, Calumet; Saint Mary Parish, Export; Holy Family Parish, Latrobe; Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Indiana and Holy Trinity Parish, Ligonier; administrator pro tem of the former Saint Louis Church, Lucerne Mines; and administrator of the former Saint Boniface Parish, Chestnut Ridge. Msgr. Charnoki was assistant chancellor and diocesan secretary to Bishop William Connare; judicial vicar of the Marriage Tribunal; a member of the Priests Council and Board of Consultors; and vicar forane of Deanery 4 in Westmoreland County and Deanery 2 in Indiana and Armstrong counties. He was named a domestic prelate with the title monsignor in 1986 and a protonotary apostolic supernumerary, the highest level of monsignor, in 2005, both by Saint Pope John Paul II. Msgr. Charnoki retired from active ministry in 2013 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Saint Vincent Seminary that year. He was a strong supporter of both Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary, and a frequent attendee at many events.
Fall 2015
In Memoriam: Presidential Medal Honoree
Latrobe Fire Chief Earl Dalton, who received the Saint Vincent College Presidential Medal of Honor in 2013 in gratitude for his invaluable service and bold leadership, died August 4. He was 95. Dalton and Greensburg Fire Chief Ed Hutchinson, who also received the Presidential Medal, are credited with saving the campus from even greater devastation. On the morning of the Saint Vincent fire on January 28, 1963, Chief Dalton was the first volunteer fireman to reach campus. He spent the next 12 hours courageously fighting the
fire to save Saint Vincent. In the days following the fire he comforted the Saint Vincent community with the words: “Take care. Don’t worry. A bigger and better Saint Vincent is in the making.” Deeply devoted to family, community and country, he cared for and saved the lives of wounded American soldiers in Europe during World War II, and for 60 years courageously risked his own life and safety to protect the lives and property of his neighbors in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Latrobe, Chief Dalton gradu-
ated from Latrobe High School and went to work with his father and brother in the family’s business. His father, Francis, and his brother, Clyde, were members of the Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department, and he followed their example by becoming a volunteer fireman as soon as he reached the age of 18. Shortly afterward World War II broke out, and Chief Dalton, like thousands of other young people in America, left home to serve in the armed forces of his country. He joined the United States Army and tended the wounded on the battlefields of Europe and also bravely served his nation in the
Parker Eckman
Condolences are offered to the family and friends of Parker J. Eckman, a 2015 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School, and enrolled as a freshman in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government, who was killed in an automobile accident on Sunday, June 21. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Korean War. “Serving our country and our community,” Chief Dalton once said, “has always been a Dalton trait. It’s infectious. My brothers and sisters and I knew what had to be done and we did it— along with millions of other young men and women from throughout the United States.” When he returned from the war, he rejoined the Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department and served as a volunteer fireman in Latrobe for six decades. He was elected chief in the early 1960s, and held this important position of leadership until his retirement.
Note To The Editor John M. Elliott, who was featured in the last edition of Saint Vincent Magazine, sent the following note to the editor: “Father Maximilian G. Duman, O.S.B., while an enthusiastic supporter of and spectator at Saint Vincent baseball games, wasn’t our third base coach. Father Canice Welsh, O.S.B., was. Baseball has a long connection with Saint Vincent, with several Benedictines contributing to this rich tradition, both as coaches and players, including Father Jerome Rupprecht, O.S.B., Father Canice, Saint Vincent’s current Athletic Director Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., and others. “You and your colleagues do a great job connecting Saint Vincent’s spiritual, academic and athletic traditions, past, present and future.” Fall 2015
2016 Easter Ball Set Alumni Council President James Laffey, C’75, and Easter Ball Committee chair Ryan Retter, C’08, have announced that the date for the next Father Gilbert Burke, O.S.B. Easter Ball will be Saturday, April 2, 2016. It will be held at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent. Alumni of the Prep, College and Seminary and friends of Saint Vincent are all invited to the Easter Ball, the main social event and fundraiser sponsored by Alumni Council. Proceeds go to the Father Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B., Memorial Scholarship. Alumni Council is looking for volunteers for the event, table captains to encourage participation by classes and schools and sponsors. For more information about the event or to volunteer, contact Mary Ann Dunlap in the Alumni Office at 724-805-2568.
Michael T. Victor, C’83, Leads Mercyhurst Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D., a 1983 graduate of Saint Vincent College, has been named the 12th president of Mercyhurst University, Erie. Most recently president of Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, Victor began his duties at Mercyhurst in early August. He succeeds Dr. Thomas J. Gamble, who retired after nearly a decade in the role and following a 30-year affiliation with the university. Dr. Victor is widely respected as a civic and business leader, attorney, entrepreneur and fundraiser who has risen through the ranks of administrative positions in higher education. While at Lake Erie College, Victor doubled enrollment, raised more than $40 million for the institution and launched 12 new academic programs, including a master of physician assistant studies in partnership with University Hospitals and an MBA graduate program. He is the former CEO of Pyramid Industries, who began his professional career as an attorney in the corporate law department of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton in Erie.
C
oming Home to Saint Vincent 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. A special memorial section has been established for remembrance, as a way of extending this perpetual “coming home” to all alumni and friends.
Saint Vincent Cemetery Manager: Dennis Garman 724-805-2651 www.saintvincentcemetery.com
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Fall 2015
Class News
1950s Rev. Lawrence V. Holpp, C’56, has been named to team ministry in the Diocese of Pittsburgh at Saint Ann Parish, Waynesburg; Saint Hugh Parish, Carmichaels; Saint Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Bobtown; Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Nemacolin; and Saint Thomas Parish, Clarksville, effective July 13.
1960s Dr. Robert J. Skovira, P’61, C’66, was selected as the recipient of the 2015 IACIS Computer Educator of the Year. This award recognizes a faculty member who has compiled an outstanding record of professional service, teaching, and scholarship, and has made significant contributions to his or her university and profession. Skovira received the award at the IACIS International Conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida, on October 9.
E. William Meharra, D.M.D., C’65, retired from general dentistry practice and now lives in McKinney, north of Dallas, Texas.
Thomas A. Berret, C’68, an attorney with the Pittsburgh law firm Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, was named to the 2015 list of top attorneys in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers. For the past 30 years, Berret has practiced as a trial lawyer representing clients in personal injury cases, automobile insurance policy claims, general or professional
negligence and product liability cases, construction and commercial contract cases, property damage cases and a variety of other general litigation matters. Berret resides in Squirrel Hill.
John D. Luckey, C’69, will represented Saint Vincent College at the Inauguration of MaryAnn Baenninger, Ph.D., as 13th president of Drew University on Friday, October 2.
1970s Owen Grumbling, Ph.D., C’70, is professor of environmental studies at the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. For 10 years, until 2013, he chaired the department. The New England Environmental Protection Agency recognized him with its Lifetime Contribution to the Environment and Human Health award in 2009. This past spring, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the principle statewide conservation organization, recognized him with the Espy Land Heritage Award, an endowed award that designated $5000 to conservation projects of his choosing.
Thomas L. Levendusky, C’73, above, center, retired from ALCOA Technical Center on July 1, 2014. He is pictured with David M. Ference, C’10, left, and Ryan N. Scott, C’06. All three were chemistry majors at Saint Vincent and at the center, where they all worked.
Rev. Mr. Michael Condor Jr., C’74, has been appointed in diaconal service to Holy Name Parish in Ebensburg, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, effective August 19.
George J. Silowash, C’75, at left in the bottom photo, and his wife Paula, center, attended the Commissioning Ceremony of Fast Attack Submarine USS John Warner on August 1 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the latest submarine to join the U.S. Naval Fleet. While he was there, he got to talk to retired Senator John Warner, at right, and the Director of Naval Reactors, Four- Star Admiral
John Richardson, bottom photo, at right. Silowash had done work in the design area of the reactor that is currently installed on the ship, and has developed and invented new manufacturing processes for the reactors that will replace these reactors in the future. Admiral Richardson, who has since been promoted to Chief of Naval Operations, thanked Silowash for his work.
Edward H. DePasquale, C’76, has joined Adelphoi as chief financial officer. Adelphoi is a private community based non-profit organization serving children, youths and families with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and is headquartered in Latrobe. He previsouly served as chief financial officer for Conemaugh Health System.
Rev. James D. Tringhese, C70, has been appointed clergy moderator of Region X, for a term of three years, while remaining pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Uniontown, Diocese of Greensburg.
William M. Farnsworth, Ed.D., C’72, recently retired from Penn State after 35 years of service. Currently, he is enjoying personal art interests, family, friends, Penn State swimming and diving, cooking, eating and drinking.
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Fall 2015
Rev. James C. Griffin, C’77, S82, has been named pastor
Gene M. Battistella, D.O., C’88, has been re-elected vice
of Saint Paul Parish, Richmond, Diocese of Richmond.
speaker of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) House of Delegates during the association’s 107th annual clinical assembly held near Philadelphia. POMA is a statewide organization for physicians holding the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Board-certified in internal medicine, Battistella is a co-owner and physician at West Hills Medical Providers, Inc., McKees Rocks. He is vice chairman of the board of directors and past president of the medical staff at Pittsburgh’s Ohio Valley General Hospital in McKees Rocks; treasurer of POMA District 8; a member of the POMA executive committee; and of the board of the POMA Foundation. He serves as a delegate to the POMA and the American Osteopathic Association. He is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Battistella completed an internship at Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, and an internal medicine residency at The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh. He resides in Moon Township with his wife, Michelle, and son, Domenic. The POMA House of Delegates is comprised of elected physicians from 13 districts and is the group’s policy-making body and official voice of over 8,000 licensed osteopathic physicans in the state.
1980s Edgar C. Himler, C’81, announces the birth of a grandson. Grandson, Alex James Himler, III was born to son Michael Paul Himler, C’02, and Ashley Schall on October 13, 2014.
Joseph Kapelewski, CPA, CIA, CGFM, C’83, retired from the Commonwealth of Virginia. “Joe Kapp” served for more than 30 years as a government accountability professional with federal, state, local and contractor employers. He is now discerning a “second career” which includes time with his wife of 30 years, Brenda; children, Louise, Andrew, Mary; and granddaughter Zoe. Each December he serves as “Santa Kapp” at Saint Michael’s Parish in Glen Allen, Virginia. He is also considering additional parttime work.
Michael T. Victor, J.D., C’83, was named the 12th president of Mercyhurst University, Erie, by the university’s Board of Trustees (see article and photo on page 36).
Michael A. Cook, D.O., C’84, is a nuclear radiologist in New York. He earned his D.O. from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri; a master of business administration degree from University of Tennessee at Knoxville; and a master of science degree in leadership from Northeastern University, Boston.
Jason K. Pearson, D.P.M., C’86, recently opened a new office at 970 Franklin Street, Johnstown.
Bayer Corporation. He will be located in Pittsburgh.
Richard M. Rechenberg, C’92, of Gibsonia, was named a top educator by the Pennsylvania Council on American Private Education. He is an eighthgrade teacher at Holy Sepulcher Catholic School.
was named the Distinguished Alumna of Westmoreland County Community College at the 44th commencement ceremony held May 7 at the Youngwood campus.
2000s
Robert M. Dunkerly, C’95,
Adam D. Baus, Ph.D., C’00,
historian, author, Richmond national park ranger and speaker, announces his latest book about the end of the Civil War, To the Bitter End.
earned a doctorate in public health sciences from West Virginia University School of Public Health. Baus is assistant director of the West Virginia University Office of Health Services Research. He and his wife and two children reside in Morgantown.
Emily J. (Paydo) Pope, C’96, was promoted to senior associate at Perkins Eastman— one of the top design and architecture firms in the world. She is the director of marketing for the firm’s Pittsburgh office downtown.
Theodore M. Headley, C’98, has retired from the United States Marine Corps after 20 years of service.
Patrick W. Hassler Jr., C’00, was named Highland’s High School Teacher of the Year in May 2014. He recently published a book, Reaching Today’s Teens. This book is full of tips for parenting today’s youths and is available via Amazon.com and Kindle.
Charitable Gift Annuities
GET 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 on life income gifts or other giving opportunities, contact:
1990s
JAMES BENDEL, DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING, Institutional Advancement, 724-805-2948. http://saintvincent.planmylegacy.org/
James E. “Jay” McBride, C’92, was appointed vice president, U.S. Tax Operations, for the
Saint Vincent Magazine
MaryAnn Cherubini, C’99,
38
Fall 2015
Rachel A. Kurdziel, C’00, G’05, was appointed by the Ligonier Valley School Board as assistant middle school principal and Pennsylvania information management system (PIMS) coordinator at Ligonier Valley Middle School beginning July 1.
Lauren G. (Robinson) Little, C’02, and her husband, Matthew, have three children, Allison, 7; Connor, 4 and Collin, 1.
Rev. Douglas A. Ondeck, C’02, S’07, has been named pastor of Saint Alphonsus Parish, Wheeling, Diocese of WheelingCharleston.
Rev. Christopher J. Mannerino, C’07, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop David Zubik on June 27 at Saint Paul
Deaths Robert James Kunik, P’46, on June 26.
Perry C. Smith, M.D., P’46, C’50, on July 10. Paul E. Polink, C47, on July 6. Rev. Blane L. Resko, O.S.B., P’48, C’53, S’57, on August 7. Thomas A. Greubel, M.D., C’49, H’12, on September 8. Manuel Mediavilla, Jr., C’49, on April 2.
Edward Gazda, C’51, on June 26.
Martin J. Labuda, P’51, on June 10, 2015.
Waldo E. Lopez, M.D., C’51, on June 17, 2014.
David I. Rupert, C’52, on April 3.
Elwood L. Beech, C53, on June 5.
Cathedral, Pittsburgh. He was assigned as parochial vicar, Saint Teresa of Avila Parish, Perrysville, effective July 13.
Angela L. Perlik, C’08, recently completed her seventh year teaching special education at an at-risk high school in North Las Vegas. She begins a new role this fall at Club Christ in Las Vegas. The organization provides youth development programs that use a holistic approach (faith, academics, leadership and social skills) in low-income, at-risk areas of the city. Perlik is in charge of the North Las Vegas Center.
Amy K. Janocsko, C’08, was recognized as the 2014 “Rising Sun” for contributions to the Mast Global Finance team.
Mast Global is the technology, production and logistics division of LBrands (the parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works). The “Rising Sun Award” is presented by the Mast Global chief financial officer to a finance associate that performs above the expectation of his or her role and positively affects his or her team. Janocsko, a senior financial analyst for Mast Global Technology, created a cost-benefit analysis used in a business case for a new technology office, revamped the group’s consolidation and
J. Donald Hensler, D.M.D., C’53, on April 6.
Paul E. Eckman, C’64, on May 7.
George W. Hook, P’53, C’60, on
November 12, 2014.
August 7, 2015.
Vernon Francis Bradley, M.D., C’54, on August 18, 2015. Glen C. Tenley, C’55, on May 20. Edward J. Lucas, Jr., C’57, on
Daryl Rhea, C’64, on Greg D. Howard, D.D.S., C’68, on May 19. John E. Flanigan, C 70, on June 24.
January 17.
Richard J. Semelsberger, D.D.S., P’71, C’75, on May 7.
Charles R. Delfino, C’58, on
Michael Shapert, C’71, on
June 23.
July 4.
William E. O’Hop, P’58, on June 23.
Stephen E. Markovich, Esq., C’73, on September 4.
John M. Singer, C’60, on
Peter DeRosa Jr., C’78, on
October 25, 2014.
June 1.
Msgr. William G. Charnoki, C’61, S’65, on August 15.
March 16.
Thomas M. McNally, C’61, on
Thomas Couchenour, C’80,
May 24.
on February 12.
Donald A. Garrity, C’78, on
Arthur N. Flauto, Jr., C’63, on
Joseph A. Sweeney, C85, on
May 23.
March 26.
Martin B. O’Malley, C’63, on
Betty J. Wensing, on August 12. Prior to retirement Betty served as administrative assistant in the president’s office.
February 23.
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39
allocation models, and trained two new finance associates. She has been with LBrands, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, since her graduation from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business MBA program in 2013.
Rev. Ryan L. Stenger, C’09, has been named judge, Diocesan Tribunal for the Diocese of Covington; parochial vicar, Saint Timothy Parish, Union; resident, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption rectory, following completion of his studies at Catholic University of America. He will also serve as parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish, Cold Spring.
2010s Tierney Guarascio, C’11, has been appointed the director of community relations at the personal and memory care campus of Juniper Village at Huntingdon Ridge. The position consists of sales, marketing and admissions.
Jordan Hainsey, C’11, who has served as graphic designer for Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary and College for four years has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Covington. Amanda K. Jaber, C’11, was recently elected by The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Educational Foundation to a six-month term on the foundation’s Board of Directors. She will assist the other seventeen board members in establishing the strategic direction for the foundation. Jaber is currently a CVS Pharmacy intern in Aliquippa, and will work
Fall 2015
as a CVS pharmacist in the Pittsburgh market after graduation.
America is the parent company of Leed’s, Bullet Line, JournalBooks, Trimark Sportswear Group and Trimark Powered by Leed’s. Graziano will work with digital marketing, analytics and statistics.
Andrew W, Miller, C’11, graduated in May from Salus University with a doctor of optometry degree.
David Rupprecht, C’13, a thirdyear M.D. student at The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC), won the Medical Student Professionalism and Service Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians on July 15. He was recognized for his compassion, professional behavior, and service to the community within the specialty
Condolences Carl D. Burlas, C’55, and Charlotte Burlas, on the loss of their mother-in-law and mother, respectively, Amelia Zakour, on June 19.
Gerald C. Dodds, C’58, on the loss of his wife, Julia Ann Dudds, on March 26. They were married at Saint Vincent Basilica on August 17, 1957 by the late Father Clement Heid, O.S.B.
Zoltan Kristof, C’63, and Matthew J. Kristof, C’89, on the loss of their brother and uncle, respectively, Ernest Kristof, on May 3.
T. Michael Moleski, P’63, C’68, on the loss of his mother, Betty Moleski, on July 4.
Norman R. Mihm, P’65, C’69, on the deaths of his sister and her husband, Chris Mihm Libonati, on August 20 and Jim Libonati, on August 24.
Lawrence D. Pietropaoli, P’66, C’70, on the loss of his
of emergency medicine. He is pictured above, at left.
Averie Shaughnessy-Comfort, C’13, moved to New York to attend the Cooperstown graduate program in museum studies. She is also recently married.
Gregory Stock, C’68, and Dr. Roger Stock, C’71, on the loss of their younger sister, Mary Stock, on April 25.
Angelo DeMezza, M.D., C’69, on the loss of his mother, Angeline M. (DiLorenzo) DeMezza, on June 17.
Francis “Tarr” Harris, C’69, on the loss of his sister, Myonoway Hannah Harris, of Newark, New Jersey on June 8.
John M. Kozusko, C’72, Timothy J. Kozusko, C’77, Jonathan Kozusko, C’01, Michelle Kozusko, C’08 (SVC Employee/ Registrar’s Office), Sarah Kozusko, C’09, Andrew Kozusko, C’13, Alexander Kozusko, C15, on the death of their mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, respectively, Anna Kozusko on September 18.
Thomas G. Semelsberger, C’74; Atty. David J. Semelsberger, C’78 and Mark S. Semelsberger, C’80, on the
Saint Vincent Magazine
Timothy Kepes (photo column 3). The wedding will be on July 2, 2016.
Austin Summers, C’15, is employed at Volkswagen of America headquarters in Herdon, Virginia.
Engagements
Alexandra N. Brunory, C’07,
to Nicholas J. Kozak, C’07, on July 4. A May 2016 wedding will be in Pittsburgh.
Taylor L. Bianco, C’08, to
Maria Graziano, C’15, is now the digital engagement coordinator at Polyconcept North America, a global supplier in the promotional products industry. Polyconcept North
father, Orlando Pietropaoli, on August 21.
Sarah E. O’Connor, C’06, to
Kenneth A. Breaden. They will marry October 3.
Tiffany A. Burick, O.D., C’09, to Harry L. Giriting IV. The wedding will be held on loss of their brother, Richard J.
Semelsberger, D.D.S., P’71, C’75, on May 7.
Richard A. Eckman, C’75; William J. Schillinger, C’77 and Katherine E. Hughes, C’05, on the loss of their brother,
Lisa Ernette Frederick, C’93, on the loss of her father, James L. “Jay” Ernette, on August 31.
Joseph Skoloda, C’97, and his wife, Theresa (Dannhardt), C’01, on the
brother- in-law and uncle, respectively, Paul E. Eckman, C’64, on May 7.
loss of their father and fatherin-law, respectively, Thomas Skoloda, on June 11.
Richard S. Laskey, C’76, on the
Dax R. Whittle, C’97, on the
loss of his mother, Rita E. Laskey, on April 9.
death of his brother, Joseph Whittle.
Robert P. Ravenstahl Jr., C’76, on the loss of his father,
Patricia Malingowski VanDeusen, C’98, Valerie Malingowski Raney, C’95, and Reed W. VanDeusen, M.D., C’98, on the loss of
Robert P. Ravenstahl Sr., on September 1.
David Meneghini, C’88, and Kathy Voit Meneghini, C’93, on the loss of their mother and mother-in-law, respectively, Barbara Ann Meneghini, on May 4, and father and fatherin-law, respectively, Tullio Anthony Meneghini, on June 27.
Eric G. Kane, C’91, on the loss of his wife of 17 years, Jennifer Marie (Waite) Kane, on July 30. 40
their father and father-inlaw, respectively, Joseph S. Malingowski, on March 10.
Reed W. VanDeusen, M.D., C’98, and Patricia Malingowski VanDeusen, C’98, on the loss of their mother and mother-inlaw, respectively, Patricia I. VanDeusen, on February 18.
Fall 2015
September 10, 2016 in New Brighton.
Anni Louise to Neil Amina, C’04, and his wife, Heather Amina, on July 8, 2015.
Eric D. Cook, C’09, to Chelsey Hennemuth, C’10. They will be
Mackenzie Berkley to James E. Petruska, C’04, G’11, and his wife, Kelly (Naugle) Petruska, C’11, on July 22.
married on October 3.
Chelsea R. Marsh, C 15, to Tyler M. Gross. A wedding date has not yet been announced.
Harvey Francis Riehl on July 2 to
David W. and Ashleigh Riehl, both C’10.
Jillian E. Schweigert, C’15, Hannah C. Duffy, C’09, to David J. Bellone. They are planning a December wedding at the Saint Vincent Basilica.
Jennifer M. Spisak, C’11, to Brian Blasko. The couple is planning a July wedding in Donegal. Caleb T. Karasack, C’12, to Kayla Litvik. A wedding is set for November 7 at Saint Mary’s Church, Bradenville.
(Poorbaugh) Probst, C’10, on May 11. Remy joined his big sister, Harper Paige.
to Justin Jones. An August 28 wedding is planned at Blairsville First United Methodist Church.
Carissa Smith, C’15, to Taylor
Brynabeth Nicole Knight to
Krystyna Crowley Knight, C’11, and her husband, Brody Gracie Dawn Gelsick to
Pokrant. Their wedding will take place on July 11 at Saint Peter Cathedral, Erie.
Michael O. Gelsick, C’05, and Jennifer R. (Smitley) Gelsick, C’05, on November 18, 2014.
Births
They live in St. Marys and own and operate Gelsick Home Inspection, LLC.
Penn Allen Baldigowski to Tina
M. (Pantuso) Baldigowski, C’97, and her husband, Mark
Knight, on December 29, 2014. The Navy family lives in Ojai, California, where Krystyna is a senior admissions counselor for a graduate school. Natalie Patricia to Daniel F. Gleixner, Esq., C’09, and his wife, Amanda (Titler) Gleixner, C’09, on June 23, 2015.
Marriages
Baldigowski, on October 9, 2014. He joins big sister, Tatum.
Jamie Elizabeth Dunlap, DPT, C’06, and Matthew Francis Genevieve Guthrie to Liz (Boggs) Guthrie, C’08, and Josh Guthrie, C’07, on January 31.
Michael Clinger, C’13, to Katelyn Rose. They will be married at Saint Michael Church, Minnesota on May 21, 2016.
Lillian Abigail Safin to David J. Safin, C’00, and his wife, Kate Safin, on May 5.
Giada Marie Morrida to Aaron M. Morrida, C’09, and his wife,
Coates on May 2 at Saint Mary of the Mount Church, Pittsburgh. The newlyweds traveled to Maui, Hawaii, for their hon-
Nicci Morrida, on October 28, 2014.
Claire Marie Alderson to David G. Alderson Jr., C’03, and his wife, Jacqueline M. Alderson, C 03, on January 27.
Remington Foster to Ben Probst, C’10, and Casie
Jordan Mateer, C’14, to Alex Zupanovich, C’14, on New Year’s Eve. An August 27, 2016 wedding is being planned.
Connor David born to James M. Gais, C’03, and Kara J. (Kolonsky) Gais, C’03, and big brother, Cameron, on July 5.
Saint Vincent Magazine
41
Fall 2015
eymoon. Saint Vincent alumni pictured at the wedding (bottom, previous page): front from left, Tara (Nolan) Finau, C’06;
Camille (Florendo) Cobrando, C’06; Julie M. Slaughter, C’06;
maid of honor and sister of the bride, Sherrie E. Dunlap, C’09; bride, Jamie Dunlap Coates, C’06; Arthur R. Metz Jr., C’82; mother of the bride, Mary Ann Dunlap, C’12, G’15; back, from left, Joseph K. Finau, C’06;
Sarah E. O’Connor, C’06; Dr. Jenny M. McKlveen, C’06; Timothy M. Myers, C’07; Hannah Truong, C 16; Dr. David V. Braum Jr., C’04; Nicholas J. Stas, C70 and Stephen J. Stas Jr., C71. In attendance, but missing from the photo, Michael J. Urick, Ph.D., C’04 and Frederick J. Findley III, C’05.
with Father Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., S’02, as celebrant. Alumni in the wedding party included; Daniel R. Ushler, C’09; Sean D. King, C’09; and
Taylor L. Guido, C’12. Genie Fratto, C’14, was a reader at
the ceremony.
Robert M. Patula Jr., C’09, and Julie A. Ostinowsky on June 27 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., S’02, and Father Vincent Zidek, O.S.B., C’85, S’91,
officiating. Cousin of the groom
Abby (Pipak) Mohan, C’03, was a reader and Christopher A. Zampogna, C’09, was one of the groomsmen.
cluded Samantha (Suranic) Fidazzo, C’09; Lauren Martino, C’10; Michael Azzarello, C’10; Sarah (Peranteau) Lawrence, C’09; Kevin Lawrence, C’09; Eric Cook, C’09; Gary Muggli, C’09; Chelsey Hennemuth, C’10; Taylor Guido, C’12; Bethany Carney, C’09; Daniel Gleixner, C’09; Amanda (Titler) Gleixner, C’09; John DeSimone, C’09; Deanna DeKlaven, C’09; Heather Ciako, C’09 and Christina (Walsh) Arndt, C’09. In attendance, but not pictured, Sean King, C’09. The newlyweds are living in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Paul M. Heinmuller, C’10, and Kalyne R. Linville, C’12, on July 31 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Vincent E. Zidek, O.S.B., C’85, S’91, officiating.
Terence A. Damico, C’09, and
Lauren Marie Martino, C’10,
Virginia Lynn Papso on May 16 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Daniel Ulishney as celebrant.
and Michael James Azzarello, C’10, on June 13 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Maxi-
milian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, as celebrant. Among the
wedding party were alumni
Mark Azzarello, C’15; Jordan Cleary, C’10 and Kayla (Polyas) Hess, C’10. Judy Spelz, C’10, G’12, and Sarah Cushey, C’10, and Sean Kreefer on November 8, 2014 at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in McDonald. Sarah
(Peranteau) Lawrence, C’09, was a bridesmaid. Alumni guests,(below, from left) in-
Carl W. Haas were married on January 10 at Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Henderson, Nevada. Bearcats in attendance at the wedding were maid of honor Sherrie Dunlap, C’09; Coach Jym Walters, C’96, and Erica Przybysz,
Janelle Kaufold, C’09, and Kyle Lux on August 9, 2014 at Holy Angels Church in Hays. Saint Vincent College alumni in the wedding party included groomsmen Eric Kaufold, C’13, and bridesmaid Emily Terrick, C16. The couple honeymooned in Barbados.
Kimberly Yanicko, C’11, and Aaron Seckar, C’12, on May 13 at Saint Vincent Basilica with
Father Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, presiding. Nicole L. Pleskovic, C’12, and Renold M. Sossong, C’12, on August 1 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Maximilian
M. Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14,
as celebrant. Father Jean-Luc
Zadroga, O.S.B., C’00, S’13,
was concelebrant, and master of ceremonies was Brother
Canice D. McMullen, O.S.B.
Kevin J. Wanichko, C’12, and Eugenia B. Fratto, C’14, on July 24 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Maximilian M. Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, as celebrant.
Bethany S. Biesinger, C’13,
and David A. Kaser, C’13, on July 18 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Rene Kol-
lar, O.S.B., P’65, C’70, S’74, officiating.
Sarah E. Formica, C’14, and Eric M. Shearer, C’15, on June 13 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Killian R. Loch, O.S.B. officiating.
Christopher W. Gillies, C’09, and Tiffany Socrates on June 27 at Saint Vincent Basilica
Saint Vincent Magazine
C’10. After a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, the newlyweds are living in Greencastle, Indiana.
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Fall 2015
O’TOOLE FAMILY GIVES BACK TO STUDENTS
J
oseph W. O’Toole, C’60, grew up in Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood. He completed high school at Saint James in the city’s west end where he met his future wife, Mary O’Rourke. When it came time to choose a college, he chose Saint Vincent because of its strong pre-med program, but later switched to political science. A summer internship for Senator Joe Clark prompted him to decide on law school after graduation at the University of Pennsylvania. He and Mary married, and he went to work in Washington, D.C. in the Office of Emergency Planning in the Executive Office of the President during the Kennedy administration. He moved on to Gulf Oil, working as a tax lawyer, then manager in Pittsburgh, Florida, London and Houston. In 1977 Phillips Petroleum invited him to serve as general tax counsel and vice president. “The tax jobs were interesting,” he said, “and involved many negotiations with governments, chair of the industry tax committee, testimony before Congress and other forums, and several big court cases. The biggest case lasted about fifteen years and involved about a billion dollars—we won.” Now living in Lecanto, Florida, he continues to think about Saint Vincent, serving on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Investment and Institutional Advancement Committee. The O’Tooles have also been generous contributors to the Saint Vincent endowment. “Saint Vincent provided me with very substantial scholarship assistance,” he said. “I generally took 18 to 22 credit hours per semester in the core subjects, my political science major, accounting and English. The faculty was excellent and provided me with fundamental beliefs and habits as well as knowledge and skills that enabled me to have a rewarding career and family life.” “Second, we believe that Saint Vincent College is a wonderful institution that performs its missions outstandingly. The commitments of the Benedictines
to helping young people get sound educations while developing their Christianity deserve support by those whom the College has helped in the past.” O’Toole recalled many aspects of Benedictine life that he appreciated while a student: “The concern that faculty members, both Benedictine and lay teachers, showed for all. “The lively, faith-based environment of the campus. “The warmth, jolliness and goodness of the Benedictine nuns operating the cafeteria. “Father (later Archabbot) Egbert Donovan, O.S.B., who was intensely helpful to all students.” The generous, helpful spirit of the Benedictines, the welcoming hospitality based on the Rule of Saint Benedict and the reputation of Saint Vincent’s academic programs, its scholarship programs and its Catholic tradition are all contributors to the O’Tooles’ continued support of the College. “With the help of the Saint Vincent generosity, I was able to complete my education with no debt, enabling Mary and me to marry and start our family. Several initiatives are dear to us, including Students First and outcome-oriented teaching,” O’Toole said. “We see and love the College’s commitment to helping students improve and advance themselves.” The O’Tooles support the college with annual gifts, enhanced by matches from ConocoPhillips Corp. They have used appreciated stock to fund some gifts, have established a charitable remainder unitrust and have also remembered Saint Vincent in their wills. The O’Tooles contribute in many ways, he said, because “we are hopeful that our gifts will enable students to fully participate in the Saint Vincent experience with some exceptional lectures and programs and then graduate without stifling debt burdens.” The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. —Kim Metzgar
Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement 724-805-2949 | www.stvincent.edu/ studentsfirst
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 110 Mailed from Zip Code 15650
Saint Vincent College Quality Education in the Benedictine Tradition
300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 www.stvincent.edu
Photo by Jason Cohn
E! T A HE D
T E V SA
In Concert Maestro Manfred Honeck The Pittsburgh Symphony The Mendelsson Choir of Pittsburgh Performing
the saint john’s
passion
Johann Sebastian Bach (1727) A sacred oratorio and masterpiece of classical sacred music
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016 • SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY BASILICA