SAINT VINCENT M A G A Z I N E
Bach’s St. John Passion
Maestro Manfred Honeck Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Saint Vincent Basilica
Spring 2016
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Upcoming
Events
Dr. John “Bob” Mazero and his wife Rosemary on a Benedictine pilgrimage to Rome.
Saint Vincent College Concert Series: Vivian Choi, Piano 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9 Robert S. Carey Performing Arts Center Tickets: www.stvincentstore.com
Threshold Series Presents David Willey, “Francis at the Vatican, A Pope for Our Times” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 Robert S. Carey Performing Arts Center Reservations: threshold@stvincent.edu
Spring Honors Convocation 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 Archabbey Basilica
225th Anniversary, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish: Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Bishop Edward Malesic 5 p.m. Mass, Saturday, April 30
College Commencement: Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient John J. Degnan, C’66 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 Robert S. Carey Student Center
Route 66 Saint Vincent Summer Theatre
May 27 to June 12 Purchase tickets at www.stvincentstore.com
Over the River and Through the Woods Saint Vincent Summer Theatre June 17 to July 3 Tickets: www.stvincentstore.com
Summer Theatre Gala Featuring Cole: An Entertainment Based on the Words and Music of Cole Porter Gala July 8; Show July 9 to 24 Tickets: www.stvincentstore.com
The Odd Couple Saint Vincent Summer Theatre July 29 to August 14 Tickets: www.stvincentstore.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.stvincent.edu
Bob & Rosemary Mazero: Friends of Saint Vincent
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r. John “Bob” Mazero, the retired medical director of Latrobe Area Hospital, and an honorary doctoral degree recipient of Saint Vincent College, died January 18. Bob and his wife, Rosemary, who survives him, have been members of Saint Vincent Basilica Parish and lifelong friends and supporters of Saint Vincent College. Dr. Mazero earned a bachelor of science degree and a medical degree from George Washington University and interned with the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. After service in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of major, and an additional residency at the Cleveland Clinic, he returned to Latrobe in 1961, where he practiced for the remainder of his life, including 30 years as medical director of the hospital. Upon his retirement, he served as president of the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation from 1996 until his passing. He received many honors and appointments throughout his lifetime. He officially became a Saint Vincent alumnus in 1988 when he received an honorary doctor of science degree. He and Rosemary generously supported Saint Vincent over the years in many ways, including a scholarship that they created in memory of their late son, Michael, who died at age 36 while a doctoral candidate at the University of Dallas, and who struggled with rheumatoid arthritis throughout his life. Later, they joined the effort to help renovate and expand the Dupré Science Pavilion to ensure that the educational programs were of the highest quality. They did this through the creation of the Dr. John “Bob” Mazero Science Hall and Scholarship Funds. He was again honored by Saint Vincent in 2008 with an “Evening of Tributes” recognizing his “lifetime of extraordinary service and visionary leadership in health care for the people of Latrobe and beyond as a physician, medical director, educator, philanthropist, husband, father and man of faith.” He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and four children, John R. Mazero, Jr. (Joyce) of Fairview, Texas; Jeffrey D. Mazero (Erika) of Mullica Hill, New Jersey; Mary L. Wyrick (Rick) of Pataskala, Ohio, and Joseph P. Mazero (Lynna) of Fishers, Indiana; and seven grandchildren: Alex, Dominique, Michael, Matthew, Gabrielle, Joseph and Mia. “He was an instrumental figure in strengthening relationships throughout the entire region, including Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Parish,” said Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor. “His contributions to the Science Pavilion with the Dr. John ‘Bob’ Mazero Science Hall and Scholarship Funds will benefit future generations.” ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WISHING TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. JOHN “BOB” MAZERO MAY SEND A GIFT IN HIS MEMORY TO INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE, 300 FRASER PURCHASE ROAD, LATROBE, PA 15650 OR CALL FATHER PAUL TAYLOR, O.S.B. AT (724) 805-2527.
Departments
President’s 4 Message More Features 10
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Music in history; December commencement; Gessner honored, Gessner speaks.
OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK
Faculty 15 Rabbi Edelstein honored; Matthew Fisher receives award; Gil Bogner, Thomas Cline in the news; six join faculty.
Sports
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Remembering Bernie Matthews; fall sports roundup; basketball roundup.
MARCHING BAND RAISES THE BAR
News Briefs
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Alumni
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Belli receives award; employees honored; new alumni director.
Isler honored; Stork speaks; Koster an honorary alumnus; in memoriam; class news and notes.
24 Father Myron Guides Athletics S a in t V inc e n t M a g a z ine ARCHABBOT AND CHANCELLOR Rt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. PRESIDENT Br. Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B. EDITOR Kim Metzgar svmagazine@stvincent.edu DESIGN Kim Metzgar & Jordan Hainsey PRINTING Laurel Valley Graphics ALUMNI NEWS COORDINATOR Mary Ann Dunlap PROOFREADER Carol Riddle
Spring 2016 Volume 13, Issue 2
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Suzanne Wilcox English Kathryn Klawinski Kim Metzgar Don Orlando Sports Information Office Jeff Zidek EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ellen DeSimone PHOTOGRAPHY Archabbey Archives Alumni Relations Office Alexander Byers Ken Brooks Peter Finger Seth Harbaugh Office of Marketing and Communications Sports Information Office Ryan Zidek
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. 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/.
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Cover: Maestro Manfred Honeck, the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and The Mendelsson Choir of Pittsburgh performed Bach’s St. John Passion, a masterpiece of classical sacred music, at the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica on Saturday, March 5. Photo by Alexander Byers.
A Message From The President
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Memorable Moments
Dear Alumni and Friends,
n this issue, you will find a mix of stories, some that highlight relatively recent developments, and others that have a longer-term history with Saint Vincent. As 2015 came to a close, we celebrated our 11th annual December Commencement, honoring Dr. Tom Gessner with an honorary doctor of science degree. Tom is a 1964 graduate and lifelong pediatrician who has served as medical director of Latrobe Area Hospital and president of the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation, as well as ably heading our Academic Affairs Committee of our Board of Directors (photo at right). What made the event even more special was that his son, Christopher, president of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Western Psychiatric Institute, gave the commencement address, sharing characteristics of top performers with our graduates, parents, faculty and staff. And during this commencement, we awarded the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degrees to our first cohort of graduates from that recently-inaugurated program. Speaking of Tom Gessner brings to mind the man whom he succeeded, one whom many at Saint Vincent are remembering at this time. Bob Mazero’s death at the end of January was a real loss for our community. Bob was a great friend of the late Father John Murtha and now Archabbot Douglas, and was greatly responsible for the development of Latrobe Area Hospital, as a person who was deeply engaged in the community at large. Please remember his wife, Rosemary, and his family in your prayers. It is a pleasure to see a story featuring Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., director of athletics, and the many changes and accomplishments since he took the helm of athletics in 1983. Father Myron and I have had a long-term personal and professional relationship, dating not only through our years at Saint Vincent, but to the mid-1950s when my Carrolltown Little League team managed to hold the Nicktown Little League team to just one run—but their pitcher, Mark Kirsch, now Father Myron, pitched a shutout to take the victory. Another longtime member of the Saint Vincent community, our late men’s basketball coach Bernie Matthews, was remembered on January 30 with the dedication of the varsity team room in his name. Fifty alumni who played for Bernie returned for a Mass celebrated by Father Earl Henry, O.S.B., in the Basilica followed by the dedication and the recognition of Bernie’s wife, Peggy, and family as well as former players and staff, at halftime of the men’s basketball game. We also congratulate this year’s men’s and women’s teams for continued success in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. An update on recent graduates from a program with four decades of history at Saint Vincent: the Opportunity Program, launched in 1974, is also included. I am happy to see the accomplishments of Lloyd Cheatom and Darius McGhee, who are using their educational experience to mentor and assist young students to become successful in their educational pursuits, as well as Ishmael Solomon, who works for Saint Vincent while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling education. I invite you to come back to join us for a concert, an exhibition or one of our spring sporting events. You are always welcome on campus. God bless, Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., President
Lloyd Cheatom, C’13, right, and Darius McGhee, C’14, reminisce at Chuck Noll Field where they both learned about hard work as members of the Saint Vincent football team.
oPPORTUNITY “S
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By Kim Metzgar
Lloyd Cheatom followed his sister, Brandi Cheatom, C’05, to Saint Vincent, while Darius McGhee arrived months after his brother Eddie McGhee graduated in 2010. (Brandi Cheatom is office manager at the Extra Mile Education Foundation while Eddie McGhee works for Passavant Memorial Homes, helping the physically and mentally challenged. They were both Opportunity students as well.) Cheatom and McGhee, both from Pittsburgh, were Crossroads Scholars, which offers the opportunity to attend Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Both attended Saint Vincent and belong to the football team. Cheatom played linebacker for the team, serving as captain in the program’s second year. He attended Saint Benedict the Moor School prior to Central Catholic in Pittsburgh. McGhee also went to Central Catholic after attending Saint Agnes in the Hill District. An offensive lineman, he was named to the All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference First Team for three consecutive years. He finished his career with 31 consecutive starts and was a team captain. Ishmael Solomon grew up in Newark New Jersey, in a milieu featuring tall buildings, the peal of ambulance and police sirens, and the din of humanity outside his window at all hours. Coming to Saint Vincent was “bit of a shock.” Traveling to Latrobe by train, Solomon watched the landscape transform from city to country. “Philadelphia was the last place I would really see tall buildings. At some point between Altoona and Johnstown I would begin to see farms, and areas with cows and horses, and even a goat at
urround yourself with successful people. If you think great, and your actions display those same characteristics, then you will become great in anything you choose to do. Whatever you put into life is what you get out of it.” Talking with Lloyd Cheatom, C’13, can be like reading a book of inspirational wisdom. In his case, however, the wisdom is rooted in reality, full of emotion, full of belief, full of sincerity. As an athlete—playing football and basketball in high school—Cheatom was inspired by his coaches. As a Saint Vincent graduate who has been helped along the way, he is now inspiring others. Lloyd Cheatom, Darius McGhee, C’14, and Ishmael Solomon, C’15, are among alumni who have been guided during their collegiate years—through the Opportunity Program. They are now involved in helping provide guidance to others. Saint Vincent Magazine
GIVE BACK
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some point. When I got here I was in a bit of culture shock. Everyone was smiling. I thought, ‘I don’t know why you all are talking to me.’ In the city you just keep to yourself, mind your own business. Here, it was a new culture, a new way of life, and I didn’t want to lose who I am.” Solomon, who studied sociology, attended a Catholic grade school, as well as Saint Benedict’s Prep in Newark, so he was not unfamiliar with Catholic schools. But, like all students, he had to transition from high school to college, to living, working and studying independently, to figuring out how to solve problems on his own. He was a long way from home. “I was not the most outgoing person,” he said, describing himself as introverted, a worrier, stubborn, independent, the kind of person who found it difficult to ask for assistance.” McGhee had a similar story. “I had a problem with asking for help because I wasn’t the most social person and I don’t really like to express how I’m feeling. If I’m having a problem I used to like to tackle things by myself. That was part of me having that ‘I’m in it by myself’ mentality.” Cheatom had trouble with time management. All three men learned, as the Beatles song says, “with a little help from their friends.” In their case, the “friends” were Dr.
Nancy Rottler, director of the Opportunity Program at Saint Vincent, and her staff. Today Solomon works as a graduate assistant in the Opportunity Program while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling and education at Saint Vincent. He is now helping students overcome some of the same challenges he had. He came to realize his strengths gradually, a step at a time. It started during a three-week summer component of the Opportunity Program, while he was sitting on a bench outside of Gerard Hall, fretting about a test he was not prepared for. Rottler was beside him, convincing him after more than an hour to go to tutoring. His pivotal moment occurred when he agreed and reached out. It changed his entire life. Now, he eagerly speaks about the many ways students can benefit from working with a mentor who has been through the same thing. He advises students on study skills, time management, course selection, resume writing, tutoring and even the advising process itself. He is now their guide. “If you don’t know what to do, if you are struggling to find purpose, it helps to sit down with someone who knows what they are doing. You start by creating a plan, by asking ‘what do you want to do?’, and by knowing when to ask
U.S. DOE Awards $1.1Million To Opportunity Program
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.S. Congressman Tim Murphy, Pennsylvania 18th District, recently announced a $1.1 million award to Saint Vincent College from the U.S. Department of Education that will expand a five-year Student Support Services program designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of at-risk, low-income and first-generation college students. The project will help Saint Vincent increase the retention and graduation rates of students meeting student support services eligibility criteria and will foster an institutional climate that enhances the potential for success of those students. “We expect to serve 140 students each year through this program,” said Dr. Nancy Rottler, director of the Opportunity/Act 101/Student Support Services (SSS-TRIO) Program and project director. “Formative and summative evaluation will be used to document and assess its effectiveness. Our project personnel will use both quantitative and qualitative measures to conduct an ongoing evaluation and refinement of program activities. An advisory board comprised of college faculty and administrators, students and parents and external representatives will also be convened to assist with program evaluation.” “Congressman Murphy has an excellent and in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by this population and knows that helping these students complete their undergraduate education can make a real difference in their Saint Vincent Magazine
From left, U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy, 18th District; Dr. Nancy Rottler, Opportunity Program director; Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., executive vice president of Saint Vincent and David Martin, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Community Chamber of Commerce. individual lives and in the lives of their families and the communities in which they will work and contribute,” said Father Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., executive vice president. The college will achieve its goals via academic advising, career guidance and development, peer and professional tutoring, a three-tiered mentoring program, textbook lending, financial aid guidance and workshops, graduate and professional school counseling and workshops and a three-week summer bridge component. —Don Orlando 6
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Ishmael Solomon, C’15, left, meets with a Saint Vincent student as part of his role with the Opportunity Program. for help,” he said. There will be challenges, but students will not lose their independence, Solomon said. He likened it to an art professor giving a student a piece of clay. The professor isn’t going to make their pottery, just “help them shape it.” The work of each student comes from within. Lloyd Cheatom was inspired by his basketball coach and high school counselor Charles Shealy, who was a standout player at Schenley High and Delaware State University. After graduation Cheatom worked for a community empowerment organization as site coordinator for an after-school program and program coordinator for a youth employment program. In recognition of his exceptional skills, he was selected as a Heinz Fellow by the Heinz Endowments. The fellowship allowed him to work at Westinghouse High School mentoring students for two years while earning a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Robert Morris University. During that time he and two other fellows, Kevin McNair and Samuel Morant, formed their own non-profit, 1Nation, to pass on the legacy that was gifted to them by others. “Having people in your corner who believe in you and encourage you goes a long way,” Cheatom said. Rottler helped assist and inspire the Saint Vincent students, something none of them have forgotten. “A lot of kids really don’t have that in their lives.” Darius McGhee changed when he started working with kids after his mother suggested he volunteer at a summer camp. “I didn’t want to do it at the time but I’m glad Saint Vincent Magazine
that I did because after that I was offered a full-time job,” he said. “That just spiraled me into the career path that I took.” Initially an education major, after his freshman year he began contemplating a change, a way to still be involved with students but to help in other ways. He switched his major to sociology, and realized that the lessons he learned on the football field also applied to his life. He became a leader. “With football I worked. I worked so hard at everything that I did.... What I learned in the process was to never give up, to keep trying.... My coach was Bernie Colbert. He was my offensive line coach. He would always say ‘Get better today. What are you going to do today? Get better’.” Now, like Solomon, both Cheatom and McGhee are giving back. McGhee is now pursuing a master’s degree in guidance and both men were recently selected to work as transition coordinators with the Extra Mile Education Foundation in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, helping elementary and middle school students and their families make the change to high school and helping them to prepare for future careers. “I don’t want kids to get lost,” McGhee said. “I want them to have the tools they need. I don’t want them to have a setback in their first year.” Just as Rottler told him, “‘you’re in the program. Don’t waste what you’ve been given. Don’t try to go through things on your own when you have people who can help.’ These are pivotal moments, in education as well as in life.”
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MARCHING MAN RAISING THE BAR By Suzanne Wilcox English
When Randy Kratofil talks about marching band, he lights up. He leans forward as he talks about the growth of the March of the Bearcats marching band, and his plans for its future. He first became involved with the band in 2010. Father Jean-Luc Zadroga, O.S.B., was advising the band, which had begun as a student club in 2008, and called a friend of his, Michael McGlinn, to write drill for the band, and realized he needed someone to arrange the music to fit the makeup of the band, which at that time had only 17 musicians. After Father Jean-Luc’s responsibilities were changed, Kratofil took over as director, arranging the music to fit the band’s unique makeup each year, covering rehearsals and working to obtain uniforms and instruments as needed. Kratofil, who manages the Brady’s Train Outlet store in Greensburg as his day job, does musical arranging for marching bands and performs on the trumpet. His musical bona fides are impressive: He holds a bachelor of arts in music performance in trumpet from The Pennsylvania State University, where he was part of the Blue Band and was one of 500 musicians chosen to perform for the 1986 rededication of the Statue of Liberty, and one of 200 chosen to perform for the bicentennial of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, held in Philadelphia in 1987. He earned an education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was the first person to have an arrangement performed by the band while still a student, and a master’s degree in trumpet performance from Carnegie Mellon University. For a few years, he taught and performed with drum and bugle corps, including the Syracuse Brigadiers, who were world champions in 2002. He took doctoral classes and was in the marching band at West Virginia University, then took a teaching job in New Jersey. Kratofil wants to bring that tradition of excellence to Saint Vincent, and the band is off to a good start. The unit has grown; two years ago, it reached a high of 39 musicians, but Saint Vincent Magazine
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Marching band members, majorettes, color guard have enjoyed performing at football games, especially homecoming, in parades, and recently, at Wimmerfest on campus. then lost five students who were all in a 3/2 program; last year, he brought in 13 freshmen. His goal is a total of 64 members: 40 musicians, 16 band front and eight majorettes, although he would also love to add a percussion unit on the sidelines. The band now performs in the Hempfield Area Band Festival and is doing regional parades, but he hopes that it will continue to grow. “Now that we have an influx of freshmen this year, we were able to reinstate the pep band with a solid group of 12 performers,” he said, noting that the band is playing selected basketball games. “My five-year plan is to bring the band to 80-some members, adding 16 musicians, two majorettes and four color guard each year. It will be a great sound and visual package,” he said enthusiastically, adding that theatre technical director Chris Plummer will be fronting the drum line. He plans to invite marching band alumni back for Homecoming, when he will ask them to perform in the parade. Young alumni have already begun forming an organization to support the band, and he hopes that older members who played for earlier bands will join in. To continue to grow, the band needs equipment, more uniforms and funding for band camp and travel, he pointed out. “We need to acquire some quality instruments to give to students who have none; we need to add to the uniform set; and we need funding to assist with a two-week band camp and travel for games, performances and festivals. We’re trying to raise the bar.” To support the March of the Bearcats, contact Kratofil at randall.kratofil@stvincent.edu. To find out more about the band, contact marchingband@stvincent.edu.
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Music Important To Saint Vincent Since Boniface Wimmer’s Time “I am firmly convinced that a school which does not strive to advance art and music as much as science and religion will be deficient in its work.”
—Boniface Wimmer, 1849.
Saint Vincent Magazine
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USIC performance has been an important part of life at Saint Vincent since the time of our founder Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B. In a letter of 1854 to Gregory Scherr, abbot of Metten and archbishop of Munich, Wimmer wrote, “Thus, art and learning go together in the house, peace and joy, contentedness and study, zeal for souls near and far.” In 1855, “…on Christmas Eve the monks and students prepared a solemn liturgical ceremony highlighted by the chant of the monastic choir and the music of the college orchestra.” During those early days, the college had a Munich-born music director, Joseph Maurice Schwab, who for 24 years directed a student orchestra, choir and brass band, elevating the music program to national attention. Jerome Oetgen’s history of Saint Vincent, Mission to America, reported that “Jesuit Father Hugh Erly, a student at the college in the 1850s, asserted that the choir and orchestra at Saint Vincent were the first in the United States to perform Mozart’s Twelfth Mass and Requiem. Monks and students joined together to form ensembles that presented string quartets, overtures, piano chamber music, flute concertos, violin concertos, marches and waltzes. Dozens of motets and Masses by German composers were sung in the abbey church on Sundays and holy days, and comic opera was also performed during the academic year.” A key figure in the musical life of Saint Vincent in the 1930s was Father Raymond Balko, O.S.B., who studied at Saint Vincent as well as at the Chicago School of Music, where he received a master’s degree. He did further studies abroad in Gregorian chant and in his time was regarded as one of the foremost authorities on Gregorian chant in the United States. The present-day music program includes majors in music and music performance, with Benedictine involvement as well. Father Cyprian Constantine, O.S.B., chairs the department, gives organ lessons and teaches. He is principal organist for the Archabbey, along with assistant organists Father Donald Raila, O.S.B., and Father Stephen Concordia, O.S.B. Father Cyprian oversaw the installation of the new Basilica organ by the John-Paul Buzard Pipe Organ Builders. Father Stephen teaches, directs the Camerata and Camerata Scholars and conducts workshops in Gregorian Chant. Thomas Octave teaches and directs the Saint Vincent College Singers. Saint Vincent College also sponsors a concert series established by the late Father Joseph Bronder, which features world-class musicians, and other concerts such as Yo-Yo Ma and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. —Kim Metzgar 10
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Dr. Christopher A. Gessner, president of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, gives the winter commencement address.
Hospital CEO Shares Insights About Top Performers
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ne hundred and thirty-eight students were awarded bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees by Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president, at the 11th annual winter commencement exercises, which recognized the completion of their degree studies. Alumnus Dr. Thomas P. Gessner, C’64, pediatrician, hospital medical director and president of the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation, was honored with the conferral of an honorary doctor of science degree. Christopher A. Gessner, his son and president of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, was the commencement speaker.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Christopher Gessner spoke about his ties to Saint Vincent, and his familiarity with campus, taking summer classes here. “Perhaps like some of you, I learned the fundamentals of accounting from Professor Holowaty and while I’m not a CPA, I consider finance and accounting to be one of my strong suits. “As president of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, it is my job to assess, organize, motivate and evaluate people who work in a wide variety of fields and professions. I work with doctors, therapists, accountants, system analysts, lawyers, fundraisers, nurses, pharmacists, architects, social workers, nurse anesthetists, engineers, computer programmers and many others.... I have gained insight into why some people rise to the top of their field and others do not.” He shared what he has learned about how people rise to the top of their fields by being top performers. Top performers, he said, don’t take themselves too seriously. They excel at group projects and are effective communicators, and have grit. Top performers, “are comfortable in their own skin... They have the ability to find the balance between the two ends of the continuum of arrogance and humility. They are confident enough to take action and they are not afraid to make a mistake. At the same time they are receptive to feedback and know when to ask for help, because they understand that 11
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they are still very much a ‘work in progress.’ While working in groups requires coordinated efforts from all involved, he said, “you need various experts with different personalities, perspectives, skill sets, energy levels and personal problems to work together in a synergistic way to create a product or service that adds value to society... Top performers learn how to manage these group dynamics. How to lead sometimes and follow other times. How to engage and motivate a wide variety of different types of people, utilizing their unique talents to produce an outcome in which the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. They realize that most work still gets done through skilled people and that those people have strengths, weaknesses, feelings, moods, health problems and family responsibilities that are all an important part of the equation of success. Effective communicators, he said, “listen intently and try to understand other people’s perspectives before communicating their own. They always set the context for their message by saying things like ‘this is why what I’m about to recommend matters today or is important now’.... They have the ability, like a good teacher, to break down complex material into its essential parts and explain it in a way their audience understands. Finally, they make perpetual eye contact. It’s engaging, as opposed to uncomfortable, because they make you feel like at the moment, you and your thoughts and
opinions, are the most important things on the planet.” Grittiness, he said, involves physical and mental toughness. “People with true grit have a clear vision or understanding of what they really want for themselves, their team, organization or constituent. They passionately and relentlessly pursue their goals, persevere and overcome the myriad of obstacles, challenges and frustrations encountered along the way. Gritty people also cherish the struggle. They are attracted to life’s most difficult and complex problems because they want and enjoy having their mettle tested and abilities stretched to the limit. They know they will emerge stronger and capable of taking on more difficult assignments. They clearly understand that in regard to personal growth and development, the journey is far more important than the destination.” Gessner advised students to “take the time to celebrate with family and friends, smell the roses and re-charge your batteries. But shortly thereafter, get after it again, bring your A game and go all-in on tackling the biggest obstacle that stands between you and your goal. Once that challenge is conquered, go attack the next one. Going through life’s toughest tests is the path to maximizing your potential, helping others achieve success and having a significant impact in this world. Which in my opinion, is what life is all about.” —Don Orlando
CALL THEM DOCTOR.
Twelve students completed the professional graduate education doctoral completion program jointly offered by Excela Health School of Anesthesia and Saint Vincent College and were awarded the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree at Saint Vincent College’s 11th annual December Commencement. The program, one of the first in the country and one of only a handful in the United States to accommodate the needs of working nurse anesthetists, prepares Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to earn a DNAP and become leaders in this rapidly developing field of health care. Dr. Stephen Jodis, standing left, dean of the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing; Susan Tranchine, standing second from left, assistant director of the program; Dr. Michael DeBroeck, standing, second from right, director of the program; and Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., standing right, president of Saint Vincent College; joined the 12 graduates after the ceremony. Seated, from left, are Sandra J. Hebenthal, Latrobe; Danielle R. Gray, Latrobe; Deana M. Lewis, Oakmont; Nada Janicijevic, Raleigh, North Carolina; Amber L. Raimondo, New Stanton; Pamela Wrobleski, Sewickley Township; Mary Lee Dasher, Elkins, West Virginia; and Kathryn A. Krisko-Stokes, Seward. Standing are James J. Wasnieski, Moon Township; Howard D. Credor, Bryan, Texas; Jonathan Ross Thiele, Shanksville; and Gaye M. Noles, Crouse, North Carolina. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Presenting the honorary degree to Dr. Thomas R. Gessner, C’64, were Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor, second from left, and Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president. Gessner’s son, Christopher, who spoke at commencement, is at left.
Dr. Thomas Gessner, C’64, Receives Honorary Degree
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r. Thomas P. Gessner, C’64, pediatrician, hospital medical director and president of the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation, was honored with the conferral of an honorary doctor of science degree. Presenting the honorary degree were Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor and Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president. The citation read as follows: “You began a fortyyear career in medicine as a pediatrician, providing compassionate care for the young and sick, the most vulnerable, the least of our brothers and sisters. You conducted research to advance our fundamental scientific understanding. Your administrative talents enhanced the practice and delivery of health care in the greater Latrobe region. You taught aspiring doctors so that the same dedication to all aspects of patient care was passed
Saint Vincent Magazine
to future generations. You led change through many revolutions in health care ensuring that best practices were recognized and systematized while maintaining the essential interactions between the sick and caregiver. Your career has epitomized the definition of Martin H. Fisher, noted teacher on the art and practice of medicine, that ‘observation, reason, human understanding, courage: these make the physician.’ You, and your wife, Penny, have raised three children, Christopher (here today as our commencement speaker), Mark and Martin, and now enjoy eight grandchildren. You played basketball for the Bearcats and you have passed down your zest for life, your commitment to academic excellence and your enjoyment of athletics to each successive generation of Gessners. You continue to serve your profession, community and alma mater in a remarkably generous number of ways today. Your deep commitment to your family and community attests to your extraordinary values and virtues. For all this, Saint Vincent College proudly confers upon you, an exceptional alumnus, physician, medical director, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Thomas P. Gessner, M.D., the degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, this nineteenth day of December, two thousand fifteen.”
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Fred Rogers Center: China Responds to Dr. Li’s ‘Simple Interactions’ We reported in the last issue of Saint Vincent Magazine on the work of Dr. Junlei Li, an associate professor in the Department of Psychological Science and co-director and faculty member at the Fred Rogers Center (FRC) for Early Learning and Children’s Media, who is sharing the work of Mister Rogers with children’s caregivers in China through what he calls “Simple Interactions,” an emphasis on the importance of caring relationships in child development. During summer 2015, Saint Vincent President Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., and Li formally signed an agreement with the China Welfare Institute (CWI) to build formal collaborations across wide-ranging child-related service areas, including professional development for educators, communicating child development science to the public and connecting Fred Rogers’ legacy to China’s education. Just before Thanksgiving, Li was invited to give a public lecture at East China Normal University (his 12th in the last five years), the nation’s oldest school of education with the largest early childhood education program. His lecture, “Returning to Simpler Interactions from the Myths of Early Childhood Neuroscience,” was intended to lessen parents’ and educators’ anxiety in China’s hypercompetitive early childhood development. Li believes the “hype” is based on misunderstandings and overinterpretations of neural and other scientific studies and that it would better serve educators and parents to re-focus on simpler, more natural and more holistic perspectives on children’s development—like that of Fred Rogers’ work. The level of interest surprised the university organizers, and the lecture was moved from a 40-person seminar room to an auditorium accommodating 150 listeners, with chairs brought in to accommodate 170 people, including students, faculty members, parents, reporters and professionals. Unexpectedly, the lecture gained much broader exposure—or, in modern social media terms, it went “viral.” One of those in attendance, both a parent and the chief education reporter for Wenhui (one of China’s oldest and largest newspapers, which has a daily circulation of more than 500,000), published online and in print a full synopsis of the lecture, complete with verbatim quotes from Fred Rogers and mentioning Saint Vincent College and the FRC directly. On the newspaper’s social media channel on WeChat (a combination that resembles Facebook and Twitter, in a
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country where both are banned), the piece had 25,000 reads in its first 12 hours, and continued to grow, reaching the 100,000+ mark within three days. East China Normal University has contacted Li to ask whether they may submit a draft of the lecture for academic publication in China, and the Wenhui newspaper asked whether the FRC would consider publishing a regular column on child development and Fred Rogers’ work in China. The CWI submitted a request for a leadership delegation, including their deputy secretary general, to visit Saint Vincent and the FRC, which will occur in May. The CWI’s Center for Child Development also asked whether they might collaborate in translating and publishing Fred Rogers’ books for parents in China. Li is invited to repeat as keynote speaker for the CWI’s national training conference on early childhood education, attended by lead teachers and government administrators from across the country. With the Center advisory board and the College’s Board of Directors’ Fred Rogers Center committee, the FRC has begun exploring the possibility of establishing an affiliate center in China to expand and grow Fred Rogers’ legacy. “Following the legacy of Saint Vincent’s engagement in education in China dated before 1927, these ongoing explorations in the child development field have the potential to broaden our service to community to a global scale, attract international students and professionals to join us in academic studies and development in our neighborhoods, and extend the legacy of Fred Rogers in creative and imaginative ways,” Li said. “Even in the noisy, hyper-competitive, hyper-commercialized world of China’s early childhood education, the simpler and deeper message of Fred Rogers still managed to cut through the noise,” Li said. “This is remarkable, especially considering that Fred Rogers was virtually unknown in China, his message, on its own merit, made its way across social media and in print. This, along with many other similar experiences, raised the serious possibility that Fred Rogers’ message can have a positive social impact for children, families and educators in the world’s most populous country, and that the Fred Rogers Center and Saint Vincent College could have a stronger presence in China in the child development field.” —Suzanne Wilcox English
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Rabbi Edelstein Chair Established For Catholic-Jewish Dialogue The establishment of a Chair for Catholic-Jewish dialogue in the name of Rabbi Jason Edelstein was announced by Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., president, at the annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation at which Rabbi Edelstein was the keynote speaker. The chair has been established in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration, Nostra Aetate. The document encouraged CatholicJewish dialogue through listening to one another with mutual respect. (For more on Rabbi Edelstein’s longstanding relationship with Saint Vincent, refer to the summer 2015 issue of this magazine, pages 10-12.) Rabbi Edelstein, who has served on the faculty for nearly five decades, is a past recipient of the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award. Brother Norman noted that “the students the Rabbi taught recognized him for what they learned of Judaism. But it was not uncommon for these students to say that their own Christian faith was strengthened by the course.” Raised in New England, Rabbi Edelstein attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received a doctor of divinity degree from Hebrew Union College, where he was ordained,
and another doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in clinical psychology from the Graduate School of Social Work.
that leads to friendship,” Brother Norman said. The chair honors his legacy—a man of deep faith, a scholar and highly regarded teacher who is widely respected by faculty members and students.
From left, Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., chancellor; Rabbi Jason Edelstein, honors convocation keynote speaker, for whom a Chair in Catholic-Jewish Dialogue has been established; Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., president; and Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., rector of Saint Vincent Seminary. In 1960 Edelstein was called to the pulpit by the Board of Trustees of Temple David in Monroeville. He served as the congregation’s first rabbi from 1960 to 1995 and is currently the Rabbi Emeritus. “It is with great pride that I announce the establishment of the Rabbi Jason Edelstein Chair for Catholic-Jewish Dialogue to continue and to expand what has been… listening, inquiry and mutual respect
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“I came to Saint Vincent almost 50 years ago expecting to teach and the learning never stopped,” Rabbi Edelstein said. “I began in the theology department of the college. Then Father Campion [Gavaler, O.S.B.] was its chairman. He is now emeritus professor. And he became my haver, my companion, my study guide, opening for me a window on the spiritual appreciation of Catholic sacramental life. Without 15
his generosity of spirit the surprising bonds between Jewish and Catholic teaching on God’s presence could not have been disclosed. “Matters then proceeded beyond the college to the seminary. What followed is inexplicable. It’s hard to imagine a more astonishing event. It is, after all, not exactly normal for a rabbi to be given the sacred task of teaching pastoral counseling to Catholic seminarians for 21 years. This may well be the most unique instance of CatholicJewish dialogue anywhere.” Beyond his teaching responsibilities throughout the years at Saint Vincent College and Seminary, together with his commitment to serving the congregation of Temple David for more than 35 years, Rabbi Edelstein also was chaplain at the V.A. Hospital in Pittsburgh. In 1982 he was awarded the top honor from the United Jewish Federation for outstanding service to the community of Greater Pittsburgh. He resides in Monroeville with his wife, Eva. “With the establishment of the chair in CatholicJewish Dialogue, Saint Vincent once again takes up its devotion to a Catholic-Jewish learning first begun with the Torah Gospel Symposium held here in 1965. The way of faith, it seems, follows the calling of God,” Rabbi Edelstein said. Spring 2016
Six Join Faculty
SIX PROFESSORS JOINED THE FACULTY FULL TIME FOR THE 2015-2016 ACADEMIC YEAR
DR. JOHN DEELY
TITLE: Professor of philosophy. DEGREES: Bachelor of
arts degree, master of arts degree and Ph.D. with highest honor at Aquinas Institute. FAST FACTS: Formerly professor of philosophy at the Center for Thomistic Studies of the University of St. Thomas, Houston. • Also taught at the University of Helsinki, New Bulgarian University, Loras College, Saint Mary’s College, University of Ottawa and Saint Joseph’s College. • Research focuses on the role of semiosis in mediating objects and things and investigates the manner in which experience itself is a dynamic structure woven of triadic relations whose elements or terms significates interchange positions and roles over time in the spiral of semiosis. • Author of numerous publications including the Basics of Semiotics (published in nine languages), Four Ages of Understanding, Medieval Philosophy Redefined and Semiotics Seen Synchronically.
DR. MATTHEW PRUDENTE
TITLE: Assistant professor of mathematics. DEGREES: Bachelor of science degree, mathematics, minor in philosophy, University of Scranton; master of sciences, Ph.D. in mathematics, Lehigh University. FAST FACTS: Was an adjunct instructor at Northampton Community College and a graduate student instructor at Lehigh University. • Member of the Mathematical Association of America and the American Mathematical Society. Saint Vincent Magazine
FATHER BRIAN D. BOOSEL, O.S.B.
TITLE: Assistant professor of history. DEGREES: Bachelor of arts
degree in history, Saint Vincent College; master of divinity degree, Saint Vincent Seminary; master of arts degree, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, Slippery Rock University; completing his Ph.D., early modern European history, The Catholic University of America. FAST FACTS: Previously taught at Saint Vincent Archabbey, College and Seminary. • Served as director of campus ministry and archivist. • Author of several publications. • Recipient of fellowships from the Andrew Mellon Summer Institute in French Paleography, the Center for Renaissance Studies and the Newberry Library in Chicago. • Recipient of the Saint Vincent College Student Government Association Administrator Award in 2005 and the Saint Vincent College Young Alumnus of Distinction Award in 2006.
DR. JENNIFER DIEMUNSCH
TITLE: Assistant professor of mathematics. DEGREES: Bachelor of science degree in mathematics, bachelor of science degree in education, with a French minor, University of Dayton (UD); master of science degree in applied mathematics, University of Colorado, Denver (UCD); Ph.D. in applied mathematics from UCD. FAST FACTS: Former undergraduate teaching assistant at UD and recipient of a presidential scholarship. • Teaching assistant, NSF Fellow, instructor, teaching assistant and Bateman Fellow at UCD. • Taught at the International College Beijing. • Named outstanding master’s student at UCD. • Author or co-author of numerous academic papers, publications, talks and poster presentations. 16
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DR. TRACY MCNELLY
TITLE: Assistant professor of education. DEGREES: Bachelor of science degree, secondary English education, Duquesne University; master of education degree, reading education/reading specialist certification and doctor of education degree, curriculum and instruction, University of Pittsburgh. She also earned principal certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh. FAST FACTS: Former adjunct professor, Saint Vincent College. • Assistant superintendent of secondary education and director of secondary education in the Norwin School District. • Also taught/served in the Penn-Trafford School District, Conemaugh Township Area School District, Southmoreland School District. • Author or co-author of numerous publications, scholarly works and poetry. • Member of the American Educational Research Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Reading Association, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association, Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Curriculum Council and the Westmoreland Intermediate eAcademy Consortium.
COURTNEY GRAFTON
TITLE: Instructor in economics. DEGREES: Bachelor of science degree in economics with a minor in finance, Saint Vincent College; master of arts degree, economics, George Mason University. FAST FACTS: Previously has served as a graduate student assistant at George Mason. • Previously an adjunct lecturer at Saint Vincent.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Snyder Delivers Paper Dr. William Snyder of the English Department delivered a paper at the Sixth International Conference of the Charlotte Perkins Gilman Society, held at the Radcliffe Center for Advanced Study at Harvard. The title of his presentation was A Scape of One’s Own: Autobiography and Place in Gilman’s Fiction, an analysis of the way that Gilman employed landscape to complement key points of her feminist arguments. Part of his research included a stay in Providence, Rhode Island, to examine places frequented by Gilman in her early life. “It was a fascinating and enlightening process to re-trace her steps and see where she lived and went to school. It was also wonderful to soak in the rich literary and artistic history of Providence,” Snyder said. At the conference he re-connected with other Gilman scholars who have collaborated on a new book on Gilman scheduled to come out in the spring of 2016 from the University of Alabama Press. The title of his chapter is “‘The Yellow Wall-Paper’ as Modernist Space.” “The idea for this study rose out my course in the American short story,” Snyder said. “In exploring ways to convey the visual narrative to my students, I found that Gilman’s text replicated images found in modern painting, such as abstract expressionism and cubism. I was able to score a faculty grant supporting this research in 2006 and after I presented on the idea in 2011 I was invited to be part of the book.”
Award Honors William Stubbs The William Stubbs Creativity Award has been established in honor of late poet and professor, whose spirit of engagement in literature, culture and community inspired students to think broadly and take creative risks in their scholarly endeavors. The award recognizes outstanding student work that displays ingenuity and social consciousness. The recipient will have completed a substantial paper or project that demonstrates an imaginative, cross-disciplinary approach to any academic subject. 17
Spring 2016
Cline, Borza Publish In eJournal; Cline To Present Research Dr. Thomas Cline, professor of marketing and statistics, has recently been publishing and presenting a number of studies with a variety of co-authors in health-related fields. Cline and Dr. John M. Borza, lecturer in the doctor of nurse anesthesia practice program, had an article they co-authored with Judith Kaufmann, “Reducing Intravenous Narcotic Documentation Errors on the Electronic Anesthesia Record: A Quality Improvement Study,” published in the Anesthesia eJournal (Volume 3, Issue 2, 2015). “Medication errors are an important public health problem with high human and financial costs,” Cline said. “Medication errors in anesthesia can result in patient morbidity or mortality and should be preventable.” This study determined whether medication errors could be reduced in one university hospital through a clinical intervention of increasing computer access in the post-anesthesia care unit. “A quantitative retrospective chart review was conducted,” he said. A statistical test of two independent proportions was used to examine the occurrence of schedule II (fentanyl) and IV (midazolam) controlled substance documentation errors before and after increasing computer access in the post-anesthesia care unit. Access to computers appeared to be associated with a reduction of medica-
tion errors from 2.4% to 1.5%. The compliance rate increased from 97.6 percent to 98.5 percent. Our findings provide objective evidence for the support of continuous process improvement to reduce medication errors in anesthesia.” Additionally, Cline and co-authors Jodi Jones and Denise Ramponi, will present the results of their research, “Does a Nurse Practitioner in a Long-Term Care Facility Decrease 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates?” at the national Nursing Education Research Conference of the Sigma Theta Tau International and National League for Nursing (STTI/NLN) in Washington, D.C. in April. “The abstract submitted was exceptional,” said Matthew S. Howard, director of educational resources for the Honor Society of Nursing. Cline collaborated with Norah Bate on her capstone project, “Nurses’ Perceptions and Satisfaction with Post-implementation Electronic Health Records (EHR),” which is targeted for the 2016 National Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Bate was recently awarded her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Robert Morris University. “Nurses make up the majority of technology users in health care,” Cline said. “Therefore, it is imperative to understand their perceptions in determining the
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Dr. Thomas W. Cline, professor of marketing and statistics, and collaborator Norah Bate. success of EHR implementation. This study assessed nurses’ perception at two and four months postimplementation of EHR with respect to technology/ documentation, cost, communication, quality of care, workflow and job satisfaction. The primary aim of the study was to determine if nurses’ perceptions of EHR change over time. Secondary aims were to assess if age affects perceptions of EHR and if nurses were more satisfied with their jobs post-EHR implementation.” Two hundred sixty nurses participated in phase I of the study (two-month postimplementation of EHR); 179 nurses from the same cohort participated in phase II of the study (four months post-implementation of EHR). “The results did not speak well for nurses’ attitudes toward EHR,” Cline said. “Statistical analyses indicate that nurses in phase II of the study rated 18
quality of care less positively than did nurses in phase I of the study. In addition, nurses in phase II rated workflow less positively than did nurses in phase I. Thus, perceptions of EHR deteriorated over time, suggesting that EHR must be evaluated continuously for its potential deleterious effects on quality of nursing care, workflow and job satisfaction.” Cline also had an article he co-authored accepted for publication in the Journal of Nurse Practitioners, “Assessing Behavior, Knowledge and Attitudes about Melanoma: An Educational Intervention for Female College Athletes.” The article summarizes a study to determine the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge, behavior and attitudes of female college athletes regarding melanoma. Coauthors of the article are Marissa Bagatti and Nadine Englert. Spring 2016
Bogner Uses Expertise For LEGO Book Dr. Gilbert M. Bogner, associate professor of history, is part of a group of distinguished experts in medieval history who contributed to Medieval LEGO, a book that tells the story of medieval England through LEGO scenes. A specialist on the Middle Ages, Bogner was invited to contribute scholarly narrations to accompany the LEGO creations, as were 14 other scholars. Thus the book is fun to look at and provides solid information about our medieval past, he said. “One of the popular myths about the medieval period is that it was a ‘dark age’ of ignorance and stagnation,” Bogner said. “I hope this little book will help dispel that misleading notion and provide the non-specialist reader with a more balanced view.” A member of the faculty since 1998, Bogner teaches courses in Western Civilization and the Middle Ages. He wrote the commentaries on William the Conqueror (1028-1087), the first Norman king of England; the Battle of Crécy (1346), an early battle in the Hundred Years War; and the Battle of Agincourt (1415), a later battle in that same conflict. He earned a bachelor of arts degree at Ohio State University and a master of arts and Ph.D. at Ohio University. His research interests lie in late medieval England, medieval military history and 15thcentury English knighthood, about which he has published several articles.
Fisher Receives Thoburn Excellence In Teaching Award Dr. Matthew Fisher, associate professor of chemistry, was presented with the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award at the annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation. The award was given in recognition of his excellence in teaching, his dedicated service to students and his commitment to the Benedictine values of Saint Vincent. The award is made possible by a gift from the late Thomas W. Thoburn Jr. and Tina Thoburn, D.Ed., Ligonier educators and philanthropists. Nominations are made by alumni five to seven years after graduation, who name one member of the faculty who had a significant impact on them through his or her teaching and personal interactions.
Dr. Matthew Fisher, center, received the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award from Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., president, left and Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. Thirty-nine faculty members received nominations this year. “This provides a clear indication of the longlasting impact that our faculty members have on our students,” said Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and
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academic dean, who made the presentation. Fisher, a member of the faculty since 1995, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Temple University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “He is a leader at Saint 19
Vincent, having served as Faculty Council president, chairperson of the Chemistry Department, director of the Teaching Effectiveness and Mentoring Program and a leader in the NSFfunded SENCER Project,” Smetanka said. “As a member of the SENCER program, Dr. Fisher has integrated capacious global challenges into his courses and shared those courses with instructors around the country. He has been at the forefront of science curricular innovation over the past two decades. He has been recognized at the nationallevel—first selected by the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching as a Carnegie Scholar in 2005. This year he was named an American Chemical Society Fellow.” Spring 2016
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, directed by Maestro Manfred Honeck, performed Bach’s St. John Passion on March 5 at the Archabbey Basilica. Prior to the event, a special pre-concert benefit was held to help the children of Haiti and the Saint Joan Margaret School for Blind and Deaf. Attending the beneift was Father Rick Frechette, D’12, director of medical services at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) St. Damien’s Hospital in Haiti and NPH’s regional director of the Caribbean; the Haiti national director and a member of the NPH International Health Services team which oversees the medical needs of the children in nine countries including Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Mexico. Among those attending the event were, top, left photo, Father Frechette; Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of Greensburg; Joanne Rogers, wife of the late Fred Rogers; and Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. At top, right, are Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent College; Father Frechette; Archabbot Douglas; Maestro Honeck; Bishop Malesic and Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg. On the opposite page Maestro Honeck conducts the symphony, and below, presents Archabbot Douglas with a bouquet following the concert. At top, right, are soprano Sunhae Im, bass Paul Armin Edelmann, who had the role of Christus, stage director Samuel Helfrich, tenor Martin Lattke, who was the Evangelist and tenor Thomas Cooley.
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Spring 2016
REMEMBERING COACH BERNIE MATTHEWS
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he late Bernie Matthews, who coached the men’s basketball team for 33 years, was honored on January 30 at halftime of the Saint Vincent versus Geneva game. With his family and more than 50 of his former players in attendance, the Bernie Matthews Team Meeting Room was dedicated and officially opened for viewing. The room honors his achievements and celebrates the life of the coach with the most wins in school history. Matthews died from pancreatic cancer February 1, 2015 (see winter 2015 Saint Vincent Magazine). Matthews was hired as head basketball coach in 1970, and also worked in the athletic department and in admissions, where he was was able to identify students who needed help, President Brother Norman Hipps, O.S.B., said. Matthews’ wife, Peggy, attended the dedication with their children, Bernard Jr., and his wife, Brenda, of Greensburg; Michael, C’86, and his wife, Terri, of Greensburg; Mark, C’98, and his wife, Kristina, of Pittsburgh; daughter Peggy A. DiNinno and her husband, Ralph, of Pittsburgh; daughter Barbara Ann Wallace and her husband, Mark, of Pitcairn; and daughter Kathy Newill, C’90, and her husband, Frank, of Greensburg and thirteen of his 16 grandchildren. Preceding the event, Father Earl Henry, O.S.B., prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey, celebrated Mass for family members, friends and former players. During the event, the Matthews family announced the establishment of a local nonprofit organization which will help students with financial assistance for college, as well as youth sports programs and the poor. Matthews’ teams posted a 505-396 record and made the NAIA national tournament five times and the Elite Eight twice, and he was named Coach of the Year four times and Tri-State Coach of the Year in 1981. DurSaint Vincent Magazine
ing Matthews’ tenure, he coached his sons, Mark and Mike, several All-Americans and also players who played professional basketball. Matthews was a 1959 graduate of Duquesne, where he played under legendary coaches Dudey Moore and Red Manning. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Basketball Hall of Fame and the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Hall of Fame. Family members displayed memorabilia from his years at Saint Vincent at a reception following the game. A feature of the reception was a memory book with letters written by his former players, co-workers and friends of the family. In his reflection, Marty Kohler, C’96, noted that he had been recruited by three schools. “None of the other schools traveled to my house in Michigan for me to sign. They just mailed the papers. It made me feel more connected to the program and school for coach to travel to Troy, Michigan, about a 5 1/2 hour drive from Latrobe, to do this.” Others recalled his devotion, his passion for the game and for doing things right. Jack Brown, C’91, in a video message, recalled a game that the team won in spite of poor rebounding. When the bus returned to Saint Vincent well past midnight, he said, the gym lights were turned on 22
Spring 2016
The Matthews family and former Bearcat players of Bernie Matthews gathered to pay tribute to the late coach on January 30. Pictured, are, second from left, Father Earl Henry, O.S.B., prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey, who served as director of admission when Coach Bernie Matthews worked in the Admission Office; Mrs. Peggy Matthews, with corsage in front row, next to her sons Mark, C’98, to her left, and Mike, C’86, to her right. Former players who attended, most of whom are pictured, include: Tom Ackerman, C’79; Mark Albert, C’76; Michael Andrews, C’78; Dennis Berrier, C’71; Hank Brown, C’74; Jack Brown, C’91; Ron Brown, C’89; Brian DeCerb, C’95; Damian Derlink, C’95; Jim DiMuzio, C’71; Allen Dzambo, C’93; Marcus Fisher, C’05; William Flowers, C’75; Anthony Frazier, C’82; David Gambridge, C’74; Mike Gerdich, C’98; Al Gist, C’87; Randall Gombar, C’79; Mo Hill, C’86; Warner Johnson, C’93; Ed Jones, C’81; Chris Kelly, C’72; James Klocek, C’78; Marty Kohler, C’96; Mike Kozy, C’92; Jack Linsenbigler, C’77; John Lynch, C’89; Leonard Malcom, C’75; Al Mallah, C’78; Jeff Mallory, C’06, G’13; Mark Matthews, C’98; Mike Matthews, C’86; Greg Maurer, C’81; Phil McGivney, C’93; Jim Moon, C’88; Tony Morocco III, C’98; Keith Murphy, C’84; Vince Nesser, C’80; Mark Owens, C’87; Al Pratt, C’74; Steve Potter, C’81; Vince Queen, C’81; Jay Richards, C’91; Bob Saveikis, C’94; David Sluganski, C’75; Raymond Sodini, C’81; Ron Spinosi, C’79; Kevin Vinzani, C’92; Brad Wetzel, C’91; Sean Wilson, C’89; Chris Young, C’74.
and the team executed rebounding drills. “I remember sitting in the front seat of a van SVC rented to take our team to a scrimmage against Juniata College,” wrote Mike Andrews, C’78. “Bernie was driving back to SVC and I was sitting in the front seat next to him. Bernie told me to steer the van while he reviewed the stats from our scrimmage game. We were traveling on Route 30, which is a windy road. I knew how intense and focused Bernie was on basketball after that trip.” “He was a life coach,” said his son Mark. “He wasn’t just a basketball coach. He wanted you to be successful both on and off the court. All my father asked of his players was to follow the rules, go to class and study, and play hard and always make an effort.” “Dad would never compromise his principles for anything or anyone,” his son Mike added. “Whether it was family, friends or basketball, he was fair, honest and loyal and he expected nothing less in return. These guiding principles were the foundation for the program that he built. The results speak for themselves. “Coach Matthews helped shape who I am today,” noted Mark J. Owens, C’87. Al Novak, C’81, wrote that Matthews “touched three generations of the Novak family. My dad trusted him. I trusted him and I trusted him with my son. Later I worked and taught a class at Saint Vincent. Often, Saint Vincent Magazine
I would have his players in my class. Of all the athletes, they were always the most prepared and most respectful students that I had.” Vincent Queen, C’81, belonged to the 1977-78 team that reached the District Finals. Aside from his coach’s motivational skills, he recalled that “from time to time he would actually get out and play with us during practice. In one practice in particular he must have made 5-6 three pointers on Nesser and Rock Wells with a twinkle in his eyes. It was a pretty long day for those guys.” “He was always willing to teach, guide, encourage, and when necessary, discipline. He wanted the best for our team,” wrote Chris Kelley, C’72. “My dad handed me off to Coach when I was an 18-year-old boy and Coach Matthews handed me back to him, four years later, a person prepared to be a man and contribute to society in a positive manner,” said Sean Wilson, C’85. “He helped teach me to own my actions, to take on personal responsibility, to ALWAYS do the best I can, to do what you say you are going to do and to stand up for what you believe in.” Perhaps Kevin Vinzani, C’92, summed it up best when he said “Coach’s motto was: ‘100 percent effort 100 percent of the time.’ Anything less was unacceptable.” —Kim Metzgar 23
Spring 2016
Father Myron Guides Bearcat Athletic Program For Years
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By Jeff Zidek
F
or more than 100 years, Saint Vincent College has
offered varsity athletics, and much has changed during that time. No one understands that more than Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., who has led the athletic department since 1983. When the College selected Father Myron to become its athletic director, his background as an assistant professor of business administration came as no accident. The increased role that athletics would soon play required a substantial financial investment by the College, and a steady, practical hand to transition athletics into becoming a larger part of Saint Vincent. Father Myron’s arrival saw an immediate increase in the number of sports that the College offered, as the school was going co-educational and that meant an immediate addition of sports for women. “We had six sports when I took the job,” Father Myron, who was himself a former Bearcat baseball player, recalled. “Those sports were basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer and cross country.” That number grew to eight during his first year on the job, with the addition of women’s basketball and women’s tennis. From there, the number continued to increase, eventually reaching the current level of 22 varsity athletic teams—11 each for men and women. Father Myron has not only guided the department through dramatic expansion, but also through many transitions, from finding new athletic conferences in which Saint Vincent Magazine
to participate while a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to a large-scale switch to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2006, as well as the return of football in 2007. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here at Saint Vincent,” he said. “Every step of the way has presented its own unique challenges, and I like where we are today in terms of our success.” Saint Vincent is now a member of the NCAA’s Division III, which focuses on the “student” part of “studentathlete,” offering no scholarships for athletic ability, only for academic standing with no differentiation between athletes and non-athletes. The school is part of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), which features 10 full-time members, most of which are in western Pennsylvania. Since joining the PAC, the Bearcats have won conference championships in numerous sports, including six straight men’s cross country titles and three straight men’s basketball championships with dozens of allconference performers and hundreds of academic honor roll awardees. Father Myron takes pride in every honor, but knows that success comes at a price. “Financially, it is a challenge to keep us performing at a high level, and it all starts with recruiting. Recruiting is a challenge. You no longer get student-athletes without a sound recruiting plan. That can involve a lot of hours and a lot of travel for our coaches. They really put in the work on the recruiting trail to bring us student-athletes who will become important members of the Saint Vincent community.” Without the lure of athletic scholarships, other factors become primary reasons for a student’s choice of an athletic program. “Facilities are a big factor,” according to Father Myron. “We added a turf field several years ago. We’ve made improvements to our baseball and softball fields and built a football stadium. The Carey Center was a huge project in the early 2000s. Every one of those projects helped us to recruit new students.” He added, “Travel is another factor at the Division III level. Thanks to the support of our alumni, we have been 24
Spring 2016
Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., has served as athletic director at Saint Vincent since 1983. able to compete in places like Florida, Nevada, California and other states. Those trips appeal to our potential athletes. They provide a chance to see other parts of the country, to compete against schools other than those in our conference. Since we recruit athletes from all over the country, sometimes it’s even a chance to play in front of your hometown family and friends. It’s part of being a well-rounded person, a true student-athlete.” As the department’s resident accountant, Father Myron knows that being able to recruit students and offering those students quality facilities and opportunities, as well as a proper balance between course work and athletics, involves his ability to balance budgets and keep the department financially fit. “Most people would not believe the amount of time and effort that all of our coaches put into the behindthe-scenes work, the financial end of athletics, from fundraising to managing budgets,” he said. “It’s all part of the whole. Students can’t participate unless they are academically in good standing. Coaches and players can’t win without a good game plan and a lot of hard work. And no one can participate or win unless we have the means to succeed, financially.” Staying current is also crucial, and Father Myron stated that fundraising is critical for the athletic programs. “Things only last so long. It’s getting close to the time to replace our turf field. Facilities in the Carey Center Saint Vincent Magazine
need to be updated. Nothing lasts forever and that’s a challenge we constantly face. It takes a lot to keep a successful department running, and I’m appreciative of every alum and every friend of the College who donates to keep us performing at a successful level. We’ve done a lot over the years, from the addition of sports to the construction of fields, not to mention just the more typical, regular costs of buying equipment and uniforms.” With more than 30 years of experience guiding the department, Father Myron knows what it takes to keep the Bearcats competitive. “Having success on the field, the course or the court is not the most important thing, but the fact that we’ve had so much success is definitely something that the College as a whole can be proud of. It has been a team effort, from alumni to professors to coaches and their staffs to the student-athletes themselves. My hope is that we will continue to have everyone’s support so that we can continue our success into the future.” TO MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT ATHLETICS, VISIT: HTTPS://SSL.CHARITYWEB.NET/ STVINCENT/. DROP-DOWN MENU ALLOWS DONORS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GENERAL ATHLETICS OR A SPECIFIC SPORT.
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Spring 2016
Sports Roundup By Kathryn Klawinski
men's basketball team wins PAC The Bearcat men won the PAC championship for the fourth consecutive year, but finished the season 22-7, losing to John Carroll 99-85 in the NCAA DIII Tournament. The senior class had a 89-27 record, including 49-7 at home. Senior Jaylon Bell earned All-PAC honors for the first time and was recognized as PAC Player of the Year, averaging 16.6 points per game. Senior Pat Jones was first time All PAC, averaging 14.4 points per game and senior JC
Members of the PAC conference championship team and their coaches are, from left, Dan Szramowski, associate head coach; Ben Varilek, athletic trainer; Geoff FuQuay, senior, New Kensington; Sean Kett, graduate assistant; Austin Ford, junior, Blue Bell; Kyle Rivera, senior, Pembroke Pines, Florida (front); Matt D’Amico, sophomore, Pittsburgh (back); Ben Klimchock, senior, Greensburg; Mike Simmons, freshman, New Kensington; Jaylon Bell, senior, Ocoee, Florida; Will Sandherr, freshman, Allison Park; Pat Jones, senior, Frostburg, Maryland; Austin Dedert, sophomore, Plum; Bobby Swartwout, senior, Renfrew; Malique McLaren, freshman, Randolph, Massachusetts; Dan Sinwell, senior, Greensburg; Marquis Holland, freshman, Clinton, Maryland; Alex Vanzant, freshman, Miami; JC Howard, senior, Pittsburgh; Terrance Smith, assistant men’s coach; D.P. Harris, head coach and Phil McGivney, assistant men’s coach. Photo by Ryan Zidek. Not pictured is Mhonte Newsome, freshman, Baltimore. Howard earned honorable mention recognition for the second straight season. The three players were
the most among PAC schools. The trio helped Saint Vincent become the first men’s program to
win four-straight league titles since Washington & Jefferson College registered four straight from 1992-95.
women's basketball The women’s basketball team, which placed second last season, finished the season fifth in the conference at 8-10, but had an overall winning record of 15-13. The team was eliminated from the PAC playoffs in the semifinal round. The team opened the season with a strong win. A defeat of Stevenson University in the tip-off tournament marked Coach Jimmy Petruska’s 100th career win. Junior Mara Benvenuti was an All-PAC second team honoree for the second consecutive year. She averaged 13.3 points per game. For the week of December 14, Junior Mara Benvenuti was named PAC player of the week following the PAC win against Chatham University where she scored 27 points, including a perfect 7 for 7 at the free throw line. Junior Susie Ellis earned honorable mention in the conference for the first time. She averaged 12.1 points per game. Ellis was named PAC player of the week for November 16, after scoring 30 points in a win against Allegheny College to open the season. At left, Mara Benvenuti. Photo by Ryan Zidek. Saint Vincent Magazine
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Spring 2016
men's cross country
The men’s cross country team won its sixth straight PAC team title, with a team score of 40, and was also awarded the PAC Team Sportsmanship award. Junior Brandan Moretton won in the individual championship for the second year in a row, earning PAC Men’s Runner of the Year. Senior Vince Tonzo was named to All-PAC first team, and freshman John Paul Depew and senior Sam Homan were named to second team. August Sander, Ryan Detsch, Jimmy Farnan and Alex Krieger earned All-PAC Honorable Mention honors. The team finished 13 out of 52 at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional, the best performance from the PAC.
women's swimming
The women’s swimming team proved that it can improve each season, finishing with a record of 8-3 overall, 3-1 in the PAC. Following a strong finish on the final day, the team tied for second place at the James E. Longnecker Invitational, which serves as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship. The 400 Free Relay team earned a PAC Championship in the final event of the three-day competition, the best in school history. Members of the winning relay team were Maddie Bartrug, Kelly Kramer, Marissa Frollo and Ciara Lewis. Cassie Trudel claimed a PAC Championship in the 200 Back. Frollo set a school record in the 100 Free for a second place finish. Kramer set a new school record in the 200 Breast, good for fourth place. Kat Guevara came in third place in the 200 Fly. On November 23, Bartrug was named PAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week after beating school records in the 200 and 500 free at the Franklin and Marshall Invitational in Lancaster. Guevara was named PAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week for December 14, following first place finishes in both 100 and 200 fly at the Mount Union meet.
men's swimming
After a successful 2014 season, the men’s swimming team set out to be even better. At press time, the team finished 8-3 overall and 4-0 in conference competition. The team placed fourth at the PAC championships and sophomore Alex Bolen earned a PAC championship in the 1650 freestyle. Freshman Jacob Davis placed second in the 100 freestyle followed by Matt Tashima in third. The 400 free relay team took second place and Xander Emili won the PAC title in the 200 IM. Davis was named PAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week on November 2 when he finished first in the 100 back and 100 free, and contributed to wins from both the 200 medley and 400 free relay teams. The week of December 14, Bolen was named PAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week after two first-place finishes and a second. Saint Vincent Magazine
women's tennis
Women’s tennis placed second in the conference, with a 9-5 record overall and a 7-1 record in PAC play. At the PAC tournament, Susie Ellis won the #1 singles championship and she and Jackii Hauser won the #1 doubles championship. As a team, they earned fourth of nine in the PAC tournament. Coach Jym Walters was honored for the first time as PAC Coach of the Year.
men's Golf
The men’s golf team finished the fall portion of the 20152016 season by earning top honors at the PAC Fall Golf Championships, with a two-day total of 616, giving them the advantage going into the spring rounds. Individually, Jake Reed won the individual title at the PAC Championship with a two-day total of 143. Ben Bliss tied for fourth with a score of 154.
men's lacrosse
Men’s lacrosse participated in the Crosse Out Cancer Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, where the team beat Hiram College and lost to the University of Indianapolis. The team raised $1,400 for Breast Cancer Research. The spring season opened March 5.
volleyball
Saint Vincent volleyball finished the season 13-18 overall and 6-12 in PAC play. Senior middle hitter Allie Liboski and junior outside hitter Emily Vaughan both earned All-PAC Honorable Mentions. Liboski was ranked in the top ten in the PAC for blocks and third in hitting. Vaughan led the team in kills and was ranked second in digs.
women's cross country
The women’s cross country team finished the season with a fifth place at the PAC Championships, and 36 of 50 at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional. Sophomore Maggie Czapski was awarded PAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week in the final week of September and the second week of October, and claimed All-PAC Honorable Mention honors at the PAC Championships.
football
The Bearcat football team finished its season with a record of 4-6, 3-5 in PAC play, and 12 players were honored by the PAC Athletic Conference. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Donahue was named Newcomer of the Year. Three players were named as Second Team All-PAC performers, Ryan Crawford, Renny LaRue-Holloman, and Devin Anderson. 27
Spring 2016
Shawn A. Gouch, C’09
Emily Keiser, C’14
David Hollenbaugh
Brenda Mahoney
Six Join Institutional Advancement Staff
Six new members have recently joined the Institutional Advancement staff, including two alumni. SHAWN A. GOUCH, C’09, of Irwin, has moved from assistant directer of admission and financial aid and is now director of alumni relations where he works to maintain relationships with more than 13,500 Saint Vincent graduates in the United States and around the world. After graduating from Central Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, he earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Saint Vincent College in December 2009. He also earned a certificate as an addiction specialist and has a master of science in education degree from Duquesne University in community mental health counseling. He joined the administrative staff at Saint Vincent in 2011 as an admission and financial aid counselor and previously worked as a case manager and therapy intern with Renewal Inc., Pitts-
burgh, as an intern therapist with Gateway Rehabilitation, Greensburg, and as a support services intern with Opportunity Act 101 and Career Center intern at Saint Vincent. Gouch has been a basketball official with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association since 2005. He is a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors and the American Counseling Association. DAVID HOLLENBAUGH, of Mercer, worked for a dozen years in the corporate arena before moving to higher education in 2004. He is serving as campaign director at Saint Vincent. After graduating from Richland High School, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Grove City College and a master of science degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College. “From the moment I became acquainted with Saint Vincent, I have been impressed by the heritage and traditions that are evident all around us, as
Saint Vincent Magazine
well as the character of our people, on and off campus,” he said. He will work to “organize, pursue and realize some very significant financial goals for the near and long-term future of Saint Vincent. I have joined the family to help accomplish this advancement of our mission knowing that the real success is in the response and generosity of all who love this place so much.” EMILY KEISER, C’14, of Somerset, earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and politics after graduating from Somerset Area High School. As a student, she was a caller for the Phonathon, and is now serving as phonathon and annual fund manager. “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to communicate with such a wonderful group of alumni, parents and friends of the college,” she said. “The Saint Vincent community is filled with so many unique and interesting individuals, and I learn something new and exciting from them every day.”
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She plans to strengthen the bond between donors and students and make students aware of “how much they benefit from gifts made to the college.” BRENDA MAHONEY, who attended Blairsville High School before earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education with an emphasis in kinesiotherapy from Slippery Rock University in 1982, also received a certificate in accounting from Waynesburg University. She began her career in Chicago working in the Veterans Administration Hospitals as a certified kinesiotherapist and later worked in various business and financial fields including public accounting, corporate offices and private small businesses. A gift processor for Saint Vincent, she will work to help “streamline the gift processing tasks and acknowledge the wonderful list of donors. The entire College community seems focused on the school’s mission and putting students first,” she said. “I love the atmoSpring 2016
Brent Myers
Rachelle Thompson
sphere and look forward to being a part of such a great team.” BRENT MYERS, prospect researcher, is a 2000 graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and then earned a bachelor of science in business degree, majoring in marketing and management from Penn State in 2005. After graduating from Penn State, he went to McDaniel College where he served as the manager of information
and analysis in the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and earned a master of science degree in exercise science and physical education. In 2010 he moved back to the Pittsburgh region and accepted a position in institutional advancement at the University of Pittsburgh as the new manager of operational research. In this role, he was responsible for completing major giving and campaign fundraising ana-
lytics pertaining to proposals for funding, staff performance and effectiveness, gifts from donors, contact reports and demographic data. In addition, he provided detailed campaign reporting to the chancellor, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement and the Institutional Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees, in order to guide fundraising strategy for the capital campaign. “Overall I have been very happy here at Saint Vincent and hope I can further use and develop my fundraising reporting abilities to continue to meet the needs of Institutional Advancement now and into the future,” Myers said. RACHELLE THOMPSON, assistant director of data management, is a 2012 Penn State graduate, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism. She will complete a master of arts in
education from Louisiana State University in May, 2016. At Penn State she was a phonathon student caller, then was assistant director. She was employed at Carnegie Mellon University, supporting alumni relations, development and corporate relations. “Since my first day here,” she said, “it has been very welcoming. Everyone has been very friendly and helpful as I transition into this new role. I am very impressed with the overall mission and vision and how focused the staff is to fulfill those objectives. I am very proud to be a part of such a strong and collaborative team!” She hopes to “find a fun way to promote keeping alumni and friend information up-to-date. When alums keep us informed we are able to invite them to fun Saint Vincent events while keeping them up to date on the latest news.”
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Saint Vincent Magazine
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Spring 2016
Nature Reserve Director Honored As 2015 Projektenmacher
Angela Belli, director of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College, was named the fifth annual winner of Saint Vincent College’s Projektenmacher Award in recognition of her initiatives that, in the spirit of Saint Vincent
founder Boniface Wimmer, “have brought vision to reality through hard work and perseverance.” The award was presented by Saint Vincent College President Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., during the Founders’ Day Honors Convocation. Projektenmacher, Brother Norman said, was originally a derisive term used to describe Wimmer, but eventually the term came to identify an individual who got things done, to realize visions, to enlist support and collaboration. “Today, at a time when Pope Francis has elevated the importance of environmental issues in our world,” he said,
“we recognize the work of Angela Belli, director of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, where she has overseen the creation and continued development of a signature program on the Saint Vincent campus. The Reserve is refuge of wilderness, a place for a quiet walk, a chance encounter with local wildlife, or an opportunity to see the colors and smell the fragrances of the seasonal variations of plant life. A place to learn, to relax, to grow in awareness and the appreciation of blessings of our natural world. The programs she develops serve senior researchers, freshman seminar students, our
Eight Honored For 25 Years Of Service
Eight Saint Vincent College and Archabbey employees were honored for 25 years of service at a luncheon for all employees at the Fred M. Rogers Center on Sept. 9. Hosted by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., left, and Brother Norman W. Hipps, O.S.B., right, president, the honorees included, from left, Marvin D. Glover of Latrobe, custodian; Catherine J. Heacox of New Alexandria, custodian; Jerry T. Hopkins of Jeannette, prevention specialist; Joanne B. Krynicky of Mount Pleasant, prevention specialist; James H. Kunkel of Greensburg, executive director, small business development center; Nancy Adamrovich-Ramaley of Youngstown, administrative systems analyst; and Brother Timothy Waid, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey, assistant librarian. Missing from photo is Mohamed Anis Maize of Latrobe, professor of physics. Saint Vincent Magazine
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education majors and preschoolers. All that she does is informed by an eye of integral ecology and the importance of the care we must give and the appreciation we must have for the gift of our common home.” Belli has been engaged in environmental education for more than 15 years, and has developed and implemented an array of outreach programs. She also has experience in conservation biology and education, conducting research at Powdermill Nature Reserve’s Biological Field Station, assisting in watershed restoration projects and environment and ecology curriculum development and integration. Previously, Belli served as a community outreach assistant with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Pittsburgh Regional Office for the Pollution Prevention Program, and a regulatory compliance specialist for Fisher Scientific International, Inc. She serves as board secretary for the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators and was recognized as Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year by the organization in 2004. She holds a master of science degree in environmental science and management from Duquesne University and a bachelor of science degree in biology from Seton Hill University. Spring 2016
Musical Messiah
ALUMNI FRIENDS
&
In 1956 the Messiah was performed on campus. From the Archabbey Archives. Musical memories? Send comments to svmagazine@stvincent.edu.
Coming Soon! Saint Vincent Easter Ball
Saturday, April 2, Fred Rogers Center in support of The Father Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B., Alumni Council Endowed Scholarship Fund
Baltimore Alumni Gathering
Sunday, April 24 Saint Benedict Parish, Baltimore Mass, 11 a.m.; Brunch, 12:15 p.m.
DC Area Presidential Reception Monday, April 25
The American Institute of Architects
California Golf Outing May 17-18, Torrey Pines
Alumni Council Meeting
Local Alumni Bearcat Lunch
Alumni & Friends Golf Outing
Greensburg Area Alumni Lunch
9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 14 Foundations Room Friday, June 3 Latrobe Elks & Champion Lakes Golf Courses
Prep Alumni Picnic
Saturday, June 11, 2016 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Pleasure Acres Farm New Alexandria
Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Gala Friday, July 8
Homecoming & Family Weekend September 24-25
(Contact the Alumni Office closer to the date if a gathering site is still to be determined.)
Noon, Fridays, April 8, May 13, Metten Room
Noon, Tuesdays, April 19, May 17, Giannilli’s II, Greensburg
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
Bill Isler, C’68, 2015 Urban Educator Of The Year
Alumnus Bill Isler, C’68, was recently named 2015 Urban Educator of the Year by the Council of the Great City Schools. The council represents 67 large urban school districts. It presents the award annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions in public education. The most recent conference was held in California. “The award is really a great honor,” Isler said. “It's a recognition of your peers from around the country.” The conference goals focused on improving public education for all children. While there, Isler moder-
ated a session on community relations. As part of the Green-Garner Award, Isler will receive $10,000 in scholarship funding which he can then present to a student from Pittsburgh. He planned to work with Superintendent Linda Lane to select the recipient. Isler, of Squirrel Hill, has served on the board of the Pittsburgh Public Schools since 1999. Isler represents District 4 on the board, serving as first vice president. He previously served as president. His district includes east end schools Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 in Squirrel Hill, Linden K-5 in Point Breeze and Allderdice High. He is chief executive officer of Fred Rogers Co., a nonprofit founded by the late children's early childhood educator.
Rich Stillwagon had fun with the photo in the last issue, guessing that it was either his class of 1969 or the class of 1968. He identified a few people, including Jean R. AbiNader, C’69, Rev. Joel Lieb and Rev. Anthony Burlas, Rev. Alexander Devereux, and Dr. Ronald Tranquilla, and Maynard Brennan, who was the president at the time, to name a few.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Trooper Marie Regula, C’14, of Latrobe, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in criminology, law and society, was one of 83 cadets who recently graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and was presented with her diploma by Colonel Tyree C. Blocker, State Police commissioner. She has been assigned to work out of the Troop A Barracks in Somerset. Regula, who also minored in psychology, had aspired to become a trooper since she was a young child. She attended Camp Cadet in 2004 and was selected to attend Honors Camp at the State Police Academy in Hershey in 2005. She said she decided to apply to the academy after hearing a presentation by Cpl. Brian Carpenter at Saint Vincent. She is the daughter of Jeffrey J. Regula, a City of Latrobe police officer for 26 years, and Sandra L. Regula. At Saint Vincent she was on the Dean’s List and inducted into the Psi Chi honor society. She thanked Dr. Eric Kocian and Dr. Bruce Antkowiak for their support and assistance.
Joseph Stork, C’64, Lectures
President’s Report 2014-2015 Additions
Joseph Stork, C’64, recently gave a lecture on campus, “Rights as History: Writing and Witnessing,” to benefit the Charles G. and Anita L. Manoli Scholarship. He is deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. His current work focuses on violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by states and armed groups.
President’s Report 20142015 Additions: Ginny & Peter M. Hutchinson, Ph.D., C’68, also gave in honor of Clyde G. Smith, C’68 and in memory of †Nancy J. Smith, H’68. They were inadvertently omitted from the list of donors in the President’s Report 2014-15. Robert A. Mallison, M.D., C’61, gave in memory of + Rev. Edmund Cuneo, O.S.B., P’21, C’26, S’30.
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Spring 2016
Class News
1940s
tion of Kerry Walk, Ph.D., as eighth president of Marymount Manhattan College on Friday, October 23.
Philip F. Stebler, Jr., P’46, and his wife, Dotty Stebler celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 3. They have five children, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Their entire family traveled from across the country to Cranberry Township for a weekend celebration. He is a Marine Corps veteran, having served in World War II and Korea. The Steblers owned Esser Costume Company for more than 25 years. They designed theatrical and masquerade costumes, many of which won national awards. Phil became a custom homebuilder in 1968 and later a land developer until he retired in 1998. Dotty taught ceramics for 13 years and received the “Best of Show Award,” at the annual Pennsylvania Ceramic Guild Show. The Steblers belong to Saint Ferdinand Church and have lived at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry Township for the past four years.
1950s Paul A. Scarlata, D.M.D., C 57, a retired oral surgeon, received the Knights of Columbus Knight of the Year Award and the Star Council Award.
Rev. Cornelius P. Chang, O.S.B., C’58, S’62, represented Saint Vincent at the inaugura-
Saint Vincent College graduates representing three generations in the Patricoski family of Chicago attended the recent Saint Vincent alumni homecoming weekend. Adam Patricoski, C’03, left, Paul Patricoski, C’77, center, and Dr. Thomas Patricoski, C’59, right, are all outstanding and successful graduates of the college. Adam is an academic adviser for the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University, where he is also pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education, Paul is an attorney in Aurora, Illinois, and Thomas is a retired physician.
1960s Anthony T. Serra, P’62, C’66, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of Mark A. Mone, Ph.D. as ninth chancellor at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee on October 2.
Leonard C. Burrello, C’64, announces his seventh book, this one written with his colleagues, Linda Beitz of Chicago and John Mann of Land O’ Lakes, Florida, A Positive Manifesto: How Appreciative Schools can Transform America’s Schools. The book highlights the scholarship and practices of appreciative inquiry and practice applied to public education. Its intent is to change the narrative of public education and to stress internal versus external accountability for judging the quality of schools.
Saint Vincent Magazine
Julie Selep, C’92, outgoing president of the Alumni Association, recently awarded Dr. Angelo DeMezza, C’69, the Father Camillus Award. At top, right, is the “changing of the guard” as new Alumni Council President Jim Laffey, C’75, presents Selep with a plaque in recognition of her service. Fred (Bud) Ciarochi, C’65, was selected by his peers and listed as among “Best Docs” in the October 2015 issue of D Magazine, Dallas, Texas.
Tom Monaghan, C’66, was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional. Monaghan, principle of TeMON Consulting, has 42 years’ experience in the fundraising profession, with more than 35 of those years spent serving nonprofit organizations throughout West Michigan, the state of Michigan and the Midwest. Over the course of his successful career he has assisted hundreds of nonprofits in capital campaigns, board development and annual giving efforts. He has been involved with fundraising initiatives that have enhanced and changed West Michigan and has helped raise hundreds of millions of funds that have changed the landscape and strengthened the community. His nomination stated that “Monaghan’s proven record as an exceptional fundraising professional has brought honor to the fundraising profession and by his example of responsibility toward philanthropy he encourages others in the field.”
James J. Ragan, Ph.D., C’66, H’90, represented Saint Vincent 33
at the inauguration of Timothy Law Snyder as 16th president of Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, on October 6.
Albert J. Hagovsky, C’67, retired in July 2014 after 38 years as a school psychologist. Recent travels include an Eastern Caribbean cruise, visit to Yellowstone National Park and 11 days in Scotland in June for his daughter, Lauren’s wedding at Guthrie Castle. He also enjoys
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Spring 2016
spending time with his daughter Lisa’s child, Kate.
John J. Hutchinson, Jr., C’67, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., as ninth president of Georgian Court University on October 16.
1970s Richard W. Perhacs, C’71, of Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2016 Best Lawyers in America® list. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 52,000 attorneys cast almost 5.5 million votes on the abilities of other lawyers. Knox McLaughlin
Benedictine Scholarships
The Rev. Leo P. Rothrauff, O.S.B., Scholarship Fund Established by Mary Lou Flavin in 1996 and awarded to students from Brazil and used for tuition to Saint Vincent College or Saint Vincent Seminary.
Gornall & Sennett, P.C., has provided quality legal services to business, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, financial institutions, individuals and families for more than 55 years. Perhacs was selected for labor law, management for the second consecutive year and was newly-selected for employment law, management for 2016. He has counseled both local government and business employers on labor and employment law issues for over 35 years. Perhacs represents more than a dozen public school systems and authored Labor Relations for School Leaders: A Practical Guide to Labor Contracts, Negotiations, Strikes and Grievances, a book that leads school board members and administrators through an array of labor relations situations (available on the Pennsylvania School Boards Association website).
Scott Newton, C’79, is pictured with his latest book, Schlitz System, published last year. The book is dedicated to his friends who have walked into his life throughout the years, especially starting with the friendships established at Saint Vincent College and the “bond that we started as the Schlitz System,” he writes. It is available on amazon.com.
Has a monk had an impact on your life? Donate in memory of a beloved monk:
1980s
Contact: The Office of Institutional Advancement 724-805-2948
has been named Middle Market Regional Executive in Commercial Banking for Western Pennsylvania and Illinois by Citizens Bank.
Mark Latterner, C’81,
Saint Vincent Magazine
Michael Cook, C’84, presented abstracts at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2015 Annual Meeting in Baltimore, and at the 2015 American College of Phlebology Congress in Orlando.
Timothy L. Pollak, C’84, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D., as the 11th president of Hood College on October 17.
1990s Walter J. Nalducci, Esq., C’90, received the Fred Funari Mental Health American Award of Distinction at the 52nd annual dinner meeting of MHA of Westmoreland County for his service and support of the organization. The award was presented by Josie Funari.
Kathleen D. Bravin, C’91, represented Saint Vincent at the inauguration of George F. Harpster, Ph.D. as the 16th president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania on October 2.
Joshua J. Brock, C’93, farmer and owner of Hoffman Appalachian Farm, was recently featured in the Dubois Courier Express newspaper for his hops and barley crops which are used locally with Straub Brewery: http://m. thecourierexpress.com/ news/article_406f0eec-5f2d11e5-8289-17ce5a2aba28. html?mode=jqm. Additionally he recently conducted a crowdsourcing fundraiser to help with the purchase of equipment to expand his efforts in St. Marys.
Robert S. Zelmore, C’95, recently received the 33rd Degree in Scottish Rite Masonry in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was
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one of only 175 candidates from 15 states who received the high honor. He has been an active Freemason for over 15 years and currently serves as secretary of Marion Lodge.
James “Jym” Walters, C’96, was recently named the President’s Athletic Conference’s (PAC) Coach of the Year in women’s lacrosse.
Theodore M. Headley, C’98, retired from the United States Marine Corps. He is now working as a curriculum developer/instructional systems designer for the United States Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia.
Eric B. Greisinger, C’99, received his doctorate in October from The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society, The University of New Brunswick, Canada. Greisinger’s work focused on combat engineering operations of the American and Canadian Armies in Europe during World War II.
2000s Patrick W. Hassler Jr., C’00, a faculty member at Highlands High School since 2001, has published his first book. He is a recipient of Saint Vincent’s Excellence in Teaching Award, part of the Great Teacher Recognition Program (2008, 2012) and the Teacher Recognition Award (Teacher of the Year, 2014) at Highlands High School. Reaching Today’s Teens instructs readers how to reach, guide and instill optimism and confidence in young people, “if approached in a
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way that builds connections and allows for differences,” Hassler said.
Gary R. Stofko, C’00, (below) was recognized this fall as one of this year’s recipients of the “40 under 40” Award by the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. This award is given to alumni who, through professional accomplishments and public service, have demonstrated the potential to become leaders in their chosen area of public and international affairs. He was also selected to attend the Eisenhower School of National
Security and Resourcing Strategy at National Defense University. Stofko is currently enrolled in the rigorous, yearlong program and will graduate in June of 2016 with another master’s degree, this time in national security and resourcing strategy.
Births
Beth Troy, DMD, MPH, MS, C’01, has recently purchased
Jude Matthew to Autumn (Coleman) Purdy ‘C’98, and her husband, Matthew, on March 18. He joins his siblings, Mariah, Cassius and Lydia.
the orthodontic practice of Dr. Eric Reitz. Her practice, Troy Orthodontics, P.C., is located in Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. Following education at Saint Vincent, she attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and earned her doctorate in dental medicine and a master’s degree in public health from the university in 2005. She then attended The Ohio State University for an orthodontics
Evalena Anne Marie to Anne
Marie (Lena) Morgante, C’02 and her husband, Daren, on May 26. Evie joins sister Charlie Jae, 2. Proud grandpa is Robert
husband, Aaron L. Conway, C’07, on October 28.
Leopold Louis Walz to Andrew L. Walz, C’06, G’12, and his wife, Aliesha M. (Pocratsky) Walz, C’07, on October 14.
Connor Matthew to Courtney Johnson, C’11, and her husband, Matthew, on August 4. He joins big sister, Caitlyn.
Lena, C’63.
Deaths William M. Bell Jr., P’39, on
William C. Ritz, Sr., C’58, on
July 12.
November 22.
Frank P. Hess, P’39, on
Bernard J. Peterson, C’59, on
October 29.
October 14.
James J. Cowell, P’49, on
Allen M. Urban, P’61, died on
November 20.
January 7, 2016.
Frank Martin, C’50, on
Robert E. Balsley, C’61, on
November 25.
September 30.
George W. Hook, P’53, C’60,
Eugene J. Sujkowski, Jr., C’61,
on August 7.
on September 23.
Vernon Francis Bradley, M.D., C’54, on August 18.
Atty. Jeffrey P. Moran, P’63,
Thomas B. Bayne, C’55, S’59, on August 30.
Atty. James W. Baumbach, C’65, on November 3.
Donald R. Eck, D.O., C 58,
Thomas W. Castle, C’68, on
on September 26.
October 4.
Everett Miles Urbaniak to Robb Urbaniak, C’02, and wife, Amanda Urbaniak, on April 16. He joins sister, Ilsa June.
on September 30.
Saint Vincent Magazine
William Conway to Beth A. (Floro) Conway, C’06, and her
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Brynabeth Nicole Knight, on December 29, 2014 to Krystyna (Crowley), C’11, and Brody Knight. The couple, from Ojai, California, was married on August 3, 2013. The Knights are a Navy family. She is a senior admissions counselor for a graduate school.
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residency, earning a master of science degree and certificate in orthodontics. She has been in private practice since 2008, and has been named Top Dentist in Pittsburgh from 2011 to 2014. She enjoys volunteering with the local dental society and singing in church choir at Saint James Parish, Sewickley.
George A. Jakubek, D.O., C’04, recently graduated from residency training in neurology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. This fall he began serving as chief of neurology at U.S. Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida. Graduate director of the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence (MSMOE), Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, had a student-faculty research collaboration accepted for publication in an academic journal. MSMOE students John
Condolences Mr. Edward T. O’Connor, P’50, C’55, on the loss of his son, Douglas, 49.
William J. McMahon, M.D., C’56, on the loss of his wife, Nora Elizabeth Vallano McMahon, SHU, on December 30, 2015.
Clyde G. Smith, C’68, on the loss of his mother, Helen Smith, on December 29.
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.
Charles J. Gray, C’73, on the loss of his wife, Mary Anne Gray on December 27.
Richard J. Urick, C’77, and Michael J. Urick, Ph.D, C’04, on the loss of their father
Gnecco, Danielle Jackson, Mara Greiner, C’13, and Sravanthi Sylada collaborated on research entitled “Perceptions of Business Leaders: An Examination of Portrayals in U.S. Motion Pictures.” The work explores how business people are portrayed in recent popular media and discusses implications on business education. It was recently accepted by the Journal of Leadership and Management and was published in December. The MSMOE program recently ranked as a Top 50 Best Value Master’s in Management program by ValueColleges. com, Additional student-faculty collaborative research projects are also ongoing. Urick also recently co-authored an article with several collaborators from Canada entitled “Generational Differences in the Workplace: There Is Complexity Beyond the Stereotypes” in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and grandfather, respectively, Joseph Urick on January 6.
Michael Miriello, C’79, on the loss of his mother, Margaret Bernadette Miriello, on December 23.
Arthur R. Metz, Jr., C’82; Stephen A. Metz, C06; Jesse M. Metz, C’12; Cara E. Metz, C’12 and Joshua Shrum C’12, G’14, on the loss of their motherin-law and grandmother, respectively, Cathy Mento, on September 21.
Brother David E. Carlson, O.S.B., S 83, on the loss of his mother, Marjorie Carlson, on October 29.
William C. Ritz, Jr., C’85, on the loss of his father, William C. Ritz, Sr., C’58, on November 22. Matthew Kenneth Minerd, C’06, on the death of his mother, Laura Lee Szepesi, on September 17.
Saint Vincent Magazine
co-presented “Work Force 2020: The Realities and Challenges of the Changing Workforce” at the Pittsburgh Chemical Day event on October 6 with collaborators from the Institute for Supply Management. He was invited to present “The Changing Nature of the Workplace: The Generational Challenge for Healthcare Employees” on November 7 at the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants Pittsburgh Chapter Annual Conference.
Fred Findley, C’05, announces that his growing business recently purchased over 20 acres in Salem Township as he looks to expand his portrait studio to include both indoor and outdoor portrait sessions on the property (above). Findley officially started his business, FINELINE, in 2007 with the help of the Small Business Development Center at
Dana M. DePasquale, C’11, on the loss of her grandmother, Eileen McCarthy, on December 16.
Rev. Nathan J. Munsch, O.S.B., and Ellen DiSimone, C18, on the loss of their sister and aunt, respectively, Mary G. Munsch, November 2. Professor A. Mark Abramovic, business administration, on the loss of his daughter, Marissa Abramovic, of North Carolina.
Saint Vincent. Over the years FINELINE has employed many graduates of Saint Vincent and has provided successful internships to several of the college’s students.
Jamie Dunlap Coates, DPT, C’06, recently earned a graduate certificate in gerontology from the University of Pittsburgh Center for Social and Urban Research and the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services. She is a physical therapist and the facility director of UPMC Center for Rehab Services, Eastgate Plaza, Greensburg, and was recently elected chair of the Southwest District of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association.
2010s Courtney Johnson, C’11, and her husband Matt have a beautiful two-year-old daughter named Caitlyn and are expecting their second child.
Carol Borland, coordinator of experiential learning in teacher education, on the loss of her husband, Richard Borland.
Dr. Thomas Ernst, assistant professor of German, on the loss of his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Wylie-Ernst.
Connie Philips, business office, on the loss of her husband Michael on January 7.
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Charles Kostors, H’15, was named an honorary alumnus at the November 7 Alumni Council meeting. (See feature on page 39 of this issue.)
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Engagements
the historic Summit Inn were, from left, Debbie (Orlando) Stock (adjunct professor);
Patrick Lowe, C 04; Larry Orlando, C’69; Emmett Garbett, C’72; Tim Rennie, C’72; Jennifer Miele, C’00; Joe Potocki, C’76; Father Earl; Larry Peters, C’72; Trina Orlando Brooks; Don Orlando, C’72; Randy Lechner, C’72; Josalyn (Malesky) Nallo, C’06; Mark Culleton, C’72; Jill (Kopinsky) Lamont, C’06; and Carl Burlas, C’55.
Marriages
Valerie Quayle, C’07, and Matthew Mazza on August 1.
Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, and McKenna faculty member, and Dr. Janet Manning, daughter of Terri and William Manning, of Lexington, Kentucky, were recently engaged. They are anticipating a fall wedding at Saint Vincent Basilica with Rev.
Dr. William J. Hisker , P’65, C’69, S’05, McKenna faculty member officiating. Urick is the son of Michele and Richard Urick, C’77, of Greensburg. The couple met at a fencing class in 2011 while pursuing their doctorates at the University of Cincinnati.
Michelle A. Koenig, C’14, and Michael A. Parisi, C’14. They are planning a September wedding at Saint Vincent Basilica.
Lara Kelly, C’06, and Shea Simpson, C’06, on June 27 at Calvary United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh. They currently reside in Seattle. Pictured (above) from left are
Nicole Dorko, C’07; Jason Maxwell, C’07; John Kelly, C’79; James Kelly, C’96; George Kelly, C’70; Lara Kelly, C’06; Erin Swab, C’06; Robert Baker, C’03; Shea Simpson, C’06; Sam O’Donnell, C’06; Lindsay O’Donnell, C’06; Krystal Baker, C’06; Justin Repasky, C’06, best man; Kate Jackson, C’06, bridesmaid; Ashley Burns, C’06; David Suski, C’06, groomsman; Doug Miedel, C’03; Jamie Miedel, C’07; Thomas Lope, C’76; Michael Schreck, C’05; Christopher Stern, C’06; Adam Sam, C’06; Scott Gross, C’06; Chris White, C’06; Brent White, C’05 and Lauren Gross, C’07.
Saint Vincent Magazine
The Very Rev. Earl J. Henry, O.S.B., P’55, C’60, S’64, center, officiated at the marriage of Trina Orlando, C06, to Jarmon Brooks, on October 31, at Saint Vincent Basilica. The bride (above and group photo below) is a broadcast reporter for NBC5 in Chicago. She is the daughter of Joan and Don Orlando, C’72, SVC director of public relations. Josalyn Nallo, C’06, was one of the bridesmaids. Bearcats at the reception at
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Frank R. Chappell, C’08, and Anna-Maria Skop at the church of St. Palais in St. Palais sur Mer, France, the bride’s hometown, on January 10, 2015.
Krista Long, C’08, and Nathan Verbanets on September 19 at Saint Vincent Basilica with
Father Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., S’02, officiating. Among the bridal party were Ashley Nord, C’08, and Sarah
Rendulic, C’08.
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Bridget Grace O’Keefe, C’08, and Julian Michael Ferrett on November 7 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Daniel O’Keefe, O.S.B., S’93, as celebrant.
Kaitlin Hurney, C’09, and Daniel Niemiec, C’13, on October 10 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Maximilian
Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14,
as celebrant. Alumni in the wedding party included Brian
Rodgers, C’11; E.J. Crowe, C’11; Craig Petnuch, C’11 and Michael Senuta, C’11. The newlyweds held a reception at Hidden Valley Resort.
Tara Eileen Karns, C’09, and Christopher A. Wright, C’09, on October 31 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, officiating. Alumni among the wedding party were best man and brother of the groom, Matthew Wright,
Jennifer Potonia, D.O., C’08, and Nick Bradford (above) on September 12 at Saint Bonaventure Church in Glenshaw. Mollie Luginski, C’08, served as bridesmaid as well as cantor. Michael Palcsey, C’08, G’12, served as groomsman, lector, and Eucharistic minister. A spring honeymoon to England, Ireland, and Scotland is planned.
C07; Alexander Krupey, C’09; Amanda Gleixner, C’09; Samantha Fidazzo, C’09; Lindsay Bisking, C 09 and Lauren Ziegenfus, C’09. Mallory Nicol Reese, C’10, G’13, and Darren Patrick Smith, C’11, on November 21
Dr. Jim Kellam, associate professor of biology, married Shannan Winkleblech on August 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, with a reception at Powdermill Nature Reserve. Jim is now the step-father of two daughters, Arianne Winkleblech, 17, and Kendra Winkleblech, 12. Several faculty and staff members from Saint Vincent attended the ceremony, including Dr. Jennifer Koehl, biology; Molly Grace, biology; Dr. Devin Fava, psychology; Dr. Michael Rhodes, biology; Br. Albert Gahr, O.S.B., biology; and Donna Jobe, retired from FMO. They are pictured with their spouses.
Armando Fortunato, C’12, and Natalie Wolff, C’12, on September 12 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Vincent
Zidek, O.S.B., C’85, S’91, officiating.
Rachel Jo Horne, C’12, and Timothy Robert Smith, C’13,
at Saint Vincent Basilica. Alumni in the wedding party included
on October 24 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Vincent
Lara Lazuka Bianco, C’10; Deanna A. Klick, C’11, and Adam F. Zurawsky, C’10.
presiding.
Zidek, O.S.B., C’85, S’91,
Kalyne R. Linville, C’12, and Paul Heinmuller on July 31 at Saint Vincent Basilica.
Alexandria B. Klofta, C’12, and Christopher D. Johnson on October 10 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Philip
Kanfush, O.S.B., C’96, S’99, officiating.
Vincent Basilica. Alumni in the wedding party included maid of honor Sadie Stresky, C’13; best man James Orange, C’13; bridesmaids Rachel
Gettinger, C’13; Kelsey Harris, C’14; Regina Bosack, C’13; groomsman Matthew Franciscus, C’13, and organist John Szalewicz, C’77. James Mitchell Orange, C’13, and Kelsey Elizabeth Harris, C’14, on October 24 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Father Killian Loch, O.S.B., as celebrant.
Hope A. Swain, C’13, and Eric J. Auth, C’14, on September 26 at Saint Vincent Basilica with Rev. Harry R. Bielewicz Jr., S’86, officiating.
Shawn Gouch, C’09, and Teresa Oto at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg on July 25. Alumni in attendance and pictured in the photo are Matthew Domyancic, C’09, G’11;
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. For information contact:
Amanda Kozar, C’09; Jarrod Miller, C’09; Emily Tuszynski, C’16; Alyssa Hennessy Goetz, C’12; Sean Knox, C’09; Jackson Goetz, C’12; Charlie Gross, C 09; Timothy O’Mara, C’08; Pat Conroy, C’64; Oto, Gouch, C’09; Dr. Nancy Rottler, Saint Vincent employee; Karla Romero, C’12; Katelyn Karasack, C’09, G’15; Mara Greiner, C’13; Mike Palcsey, C’08, G’12; Christina Andrae, Saint Vincent employee; Stacy Palcsey, C’09. Not pictured but also attending was employee Amber Keefer. Saint Vincent Magazine
Thomas F. Cocchi, Jr., C’13, and Colleen Ann Fisher, C’13, on August 8 at Saint
Saint Vincent Cemetery Manager: Dennis Garman 724-805-2651 www.saintvincentcemetery.com
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BENEDICTINE VALUES SUPPORTED BY KOSTORS
A
LTHOUGH Charles H. Kostors graduated from another university, the longtime friend of Saint Vincent has been working to endow a scholarship for a number of years. That work has come to fruition as his scholarship is now ready to be awarded. A close friendship with Loretta Scalzitti, C’83, led Kostors, a retired engineer from Elliott Company, Jeannette, to begin his acquaintance with the instititution. (He was recently named an honorary alumnus (see page 36). Through Scalzitti, who double majored in accounting and finance and is presently a member of the Alumni Council, Kostors began his friendship with Saint Vincent about a decade ago. Scalzitti was in the first group of women to graduate from Saint Vincent when it became coeducational (along with Virginia Halucka, Any Kintigh and Anna Quinn). Scalzitti graduated in August of 1983 and participated in the May 1984 graduation, completing ten years of continuing education work just as the college announced it would admit women. “As I met more people and attended more college alumni activities,” Kostors said, “I became aware that the Benedictines displayed many of the qualities that were important to me. These qualities include a deep spirit of hospitality, humility, graciousness, accepting each individual as if they were Christ himself, and accepting people as they are and not as you think they should be.” This community spirit, he said, “reflects my values to a great degree.” After several years of involvement, Kostors learned “that individuals could endow a donor-advised scholarship that would serve students in areas of interest to me and help promote the values that I have
in common with this Benedictine community. It is an excellent way to help others and leave a legacy committed to values that advance the common good.” But he had some stipulations. Kostors believes students should “not only attend college, but that they successfully finish the curriculum and obtain a degree.” Therefore, the Dolores C. Kostors and Charles H. Kostors Memorial Scholarship Fund is available to sophomores, juniors and seniors and “is to supplement, not replace, any other financial aid. The amount of scholarship is greater for a junior than for a sophomore, and greater still for a senior.” Kostors’ scholarship is directed to students who demonstrate leadership skills and a dedication to hard work, but who many not have a 4.0 GPA. Kostors worked with the Office of Institutional Advancement to create the scholarship and establish the goals for student recipients. “Now, in 2015,” he said, “we are in a position to grant financial assistance to qualified students through this fully endowed scholarship fund.” Offering some advice to other potential donors, he notes that “while someone may not have the resources at this time to endow fully a named scholarship, as a member of the Guardian Society they can begin the fund now and name the college in their will, or as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or a brokerage account. One can also give on a one-time or annual basis to a particular area of interest to support a specific department or academic or athletic program.” Kostors is eager to “meet our young, talented students who benefit from this scholarship, and to attend their graduation. I look forward to joining in their success at commencement.” —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