A magazine for alumni, parents, students, faculty and friends of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Vol. 6 No. 2, Summer 2010
news Preppers in Science
PR E S I D E N T ’ S L E T T E R
Fr. Bur presents the Jesuit Secondary Education Award to Michael Iannacone ’10.
Dear Friends,
F
From the beginnings of human knowledge people have been looking at the world of nature with wonder and awe. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19)” The Ignatian vision of this world urges us to use everything in it for the glory of God and his Kingdom. So much good has come from this vision in the care of the human body and spirit. It is evident, too, that the misuse of our natural world has and will continue to lead to disaster. All Prep graduates, and especially those engaged in science and medicine, face fundamental ethical challenges at the interface with our natural world. We shoulder here at the Prep the responsibility to prepare our students for the decisions that they will face. During my own days at the Prep over 50 years ago, we still lived in the chill of the cold war. Then we shuddered to think of a world where our enemies might control space, a prospect made quite concrete when we tracked with our own eyes in the night sky the Russian satellite, Sputnik, the first to circle the earth. In time, too, the Cuban missile crisis took us to the edge of the nuclear abyss. Prep graduates in those days took up the challenge of science. My own brother, class of ’53, studying and making a career in material physics, preceded my own shortened career as a teacher of physics and math. I admire some of my classmates who to this day continue to make significant contributions to science and medicine. In 2006, Time Magazine included one classmate, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach ’59, among the 100 most influential persons in the world because of his work as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Previously he had been the Director of the National Cancer Institute. Today his medical colleagues around the country continue to seek his advice on all perspectives of medical policy. Today’s talented Prep graduates with an interest in science will find themselves at exciting frontiers. Recent discoveries about the human genome, about the state of the earth’s climate and about the nature of the universe will continue to fill them with an awe that will continually challenge and fascinate. Our own Christian understanding of the meaning of creation and the sacredness of life will be challenged. May God in the Divine Spirit guide and encourage all of our science and medical professionals, young and old. May they make contributions in service and love to enrich our world. May they keep the perspective of the psalmist and always experience God’s glory. Sincerely,
Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. ’59 President
inside:
editor’s note:
F E AT U R E S TO RY
In this issue, we prove that the statement,
Preppers in Science ....................... 8
“but the Prep’s not really a science school,” is untrue.
Go Further Still ............................ 16 SECTIONS News .............................................. 2 Commencement ............................ 2 Forensics ........................................ 4 Drowsy Chaperone ....................... 5
One of the drawbacks to being known for classical training and for producing many graduates who choose the study of law and other areas within humanities is the incorrect assumption that other disciplines are not strong at the Prep.
Hawktion/Fashion Show ............... 6 Sports ............................................ 7
Student Profile ............................ 18
As you will read in our feature story, the Prep is just as much a “science school” as it is any other area. Alums have distinguished themselves in medicine, research and teaching. In the pages that
Faculty Profile ............................. 19
follow, you will read about a gynecological oncologist, molecular
Class of 1960 Reunion ................. 20
geneticist, an engineer at NASA, a psychologist, a Fulbright Scholar
Class Notes .................................. 21 Perspectives ................................. 28
and two teachers. Their accomplishments are lengthy and impressive. Renovations of the old labs and the creation of a new one, being completed under the guidance of longtime science faculty members Barb Brown and Joe Feighan [see pg. 14], will help ensure that future generations of Preppers follow our distinguished alumni into science and medicine fields.
Rev. George W. Bur, S.J. ’59 Michael Gomez Albert J. Zimmerman ’73 Rev. Bruce A. Maivelett, S.J. Timothy O’Shaughnessy
President Principal Director of Development Director of Ignatian Identity Chief Financial Officer
Director, Marketing and Communications
matriculate at some of the finest colleges in the country and will shortly be embarking on careers. I wish them
McCloskey Designs
class notes editor Angie Falcone
these past four years. With conflicting feelings of happiness and sadness, we bid them farewell. This group will the very best.
designer Maridel McCloskey
Of course we are proud of the men who leave here and fly off to pursue greatness in their chosen life path. We root hard for them because they are good people and deserve great things. It was amazing to see them grow
editor Bill Avington ’90
As I write this letter, we are just a few days past Graduation Weekend 2010. It is always a bittersweet time.
Development Services Assistant
Finally, we said goodbye this winter to a true Prepper. Dan Brennan, who epitomized the Prep during my days as a student, passed away. It marked the death of another Prep legend, as Mr. Brennan joined Nick Kueny and Earl Hart, who both died in the past year. While their passings marks the ending of a particular era of the Prep,
editorial staff
we take comfort in the fact that they trained us well and take solace in the knowledge that the generations they
Ceal Biello, Lorrie McKenna, Beth Missett, Nancy Moule, Juliann Schwegler
groomed are now at the helm. Hopefully, we will continue the legacy they helped establish.
photography
As always, I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Please feel free to drop me a
John Burns ’54, David DeBalko, Andrew McCloskey ’88, Tom Prior ’58, Frank Raffa
line at bavington@sjprep.org if you have any comments to share.
writers Bill Avington ’90, Rev. George Bur, S.J. ’59, Juliann Schwegler
web editor Brendan Murphy ’01
The Prep News is published twice a year. Please send comments or contributions to: Attn: Editor The Prep News St Joseph’s Preparatory School 1733 Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130 or e-mail to: afalcone@sjprep.org For additional information, check our website www.sjprep.org/prepnews
Bill Avington ’90
g r a d ua t ion
Commencement
ON JUNE 6,
THE
CLASS
OF
2010
JOINED THE ILLUSTRIOUS RANKS OF
ST. JOSEPH’S PREP
ALUMNI
with ceremonies held at Saint Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena. As Student Council President Frank Rizzo said during his
address, “today we have come together to celebrate a turning point in the lives of the remarkable group of men standing before me. Each one of us walked into the Prep unaware of what the end would look like. At the beginning, each one of us knew that we had to do well, get involved, and try to make the most of the education that the Prep has to offer. We were children when we arrived, and we have developed and grown into something very special. We have grown into scholars, athletes, graduates, and most importantly, we’ve grown into men.” Other graduation weekend activities included the Bakari Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the African American Alumni Association, and the Baccalaureate Mass in the Church of the Gesu.
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THE PREP NEWS
Award Winners
Spencer Anderson John Arena
2010
SUMMER 2010
Silver Medal for AP European History Gold Medal for AP Government Silver Medal for Chemistry Student Council Award Patrick Arena Edmund Cassidy Award National Latin Exam Award Silver Medal for Calculus Matthew Babin Student Council Award Bryan Bacskai Silver Medal for Spanish Sean Branton Gold Medal for AP Calculus AB Joseph Brenner Silver Medal for Forensics Michael Busza St. Joseph Award Silver Medal for Yearbook Kevin Byrne Prep Spirit Award Robert J. Cermignano Gregg F. Ciarrocchi Award Gold Medal for Honors Calculus Perfect Attendance (9-12) Matthew Chung Arrupe Award Silver Medal for Honors Spanish Silver Medal for Religious Studies Maxwell Coar National Merit Finalist National Latin Exam Award Gold Medal for Physics David Costigan Edmund Cassidy Award National Merit Finalist Gold Medal for Chemistry Gold Medal for AP Statistics Silver Medal for AP Calculus AB Gerard Curtis Gold Medal for Chronicle Literary Magazine Gold Medal for Fine Arts Silver Medal for English Fred DeRitis John McShain Award National Forensics League All-American Stephen DiPietro Gregory Wolf Award Silver Medal for AP Spanish Ryan Donovan Student Council Award Patrick Dooley Gold Medal for Dramatics Silver Medal for Fine Arts Christopher Dougherty Mothers’ Club Award Stephen Forrest Perfect Attendance (9-12) Nicholas Gatto National Merit Finalist Gold Medal for English Stephen Gazak National Merit Finalist Christian Geary Silver Medal for AP Government Henry George Gold Medal for Calculus Stephen Gliatto Edmund Cassidy Award National Merit Finalist Prep Cycling Award Silver Medal for Yearbook Alex Glica Gold Medal for Computer Science Charles Gress National Forensics League All-American Gold Medal for Forensics Gold Medal for AP European History Bernard Gray Edmund Cassidy Award National Merit Finalist Gold Medal for AP Spanish Gold Medal for Religious Studies Silver Medal for AP Calculus BC Silver Medal for Mathletes Joseph Hampson Silver Medal for German Anton Havrylyuk Hauck Community Service Award Silver Medal for French Stephen Herubin National Merit Finalist Silver Medal for Greek Michael Iannacone JSEA Award
Daniel Kurtz
National Merit Finalist Perfect Attendance (9-12) Brendan Lash Silver Medal for Dramatics Brian Lojewski Ignatian Service Award Perfect Attendance (9-12) Joseph Madsen National Latin Exam Award Dr. Bender Gold Medal for Latin Ford Memorial Award for Greek Louis Margules Silver Medal for AP English Perfect Attendance (9-12) Armando Martinez Black and Latino Culture Club Award Patrick McCusker National Merit Finalist Silver Medal for Jazz Band Connor McIntyre National Merit Finalist Kieran Monaghan Gold Medal for German Timothy Morris Gold Medal for AP English Silver Medal for AP Psychology Brendan Murphy Student Council Award Michael Nguyen Edmund Cassidy Award Daniel Novak Silver Medal for Band Daniel Ochman Perfect Attendance (9-12) Matthew O’Donoghue Edmund Cassidy Award National Latin Exam Award Alumni Association Award Silver Medal for Latin Stephen O’Hara Scholar-Athlete Award Gold Medal for Mandarin Chinese Arjuna Pettit Gold Medal for Spanish Perfect Attendance (9-12) Christopher Puccio Silver Medal for US Government Kevin Rafferty Cape and Sword Award Perfect Attendance (K-12) Frank Rizzo Student Council Award Christopher Rothrock Gold Medal for Matrices/ Prob. & Statistics John Schell Gold Medal for Yearbook Jonathan Sharp National Merit Finalist Eric Skoritowski Silver Medal for Biology Silver Medal for Physics Harry Smith Silver Medal for Mandarin Chinese Silver Medal for Matrices/Prob. & Statistics Steven Stinson National Latin Exam Award Benjamin Sylvester Gold Medal for The Hawklet Vincent Tague Gold Medal for US Government Stylianos Tsinaroglou Pre-Prep Award Burges Unwalla Walsh Award for French Dennis Walsh Gold Medal for Mathletes National Latin Exam Award Gold Medal for AP Calculus BC Himes Medal for Mathematics Mark Wisniewski McCloskey Loyalty Award Gold Medal for Band Julia Rogers Fine Arts Service Award Gold Medal for Jazz Band Gold Medal for AP Psychology Perfect Attendance (9-12) Michael Wong Gold Medal for Honors Spanish Gold Medal for Biology Silver Medal for AP Statistics Stephen Zarro Silver Medal for Computer Science Michael Zikoski Silver Medal for Honors Calculus
SPECIAL AWARDS Activity of the Year Award Taggart Memorial Award
Indoor/Outdoor Track Sr. Kathleen Woody, G.N.S.H.
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s c ho ol ne w s
FORENSICS NATIONAL CIRCUIT Due to their success in the 2009-2010 Forensics National Circuit season, three students (Chris Cannataro ’11, Fred DeRitis ’10 and Charlie Gress ’10) qualified to compete in the 2010 Tournament of Champions for Congressional Debate (TOC). In order to fully qualify for the TOC, students must finish as semi-finalists, finalists, or in the top six places at two National Tournaments such as Yale, Harvard or Saint Joseph’s during the 2009-2010 academic year or at either of the two 2009 National Forensics Tournaments. This year, the prestigious three-day tournament was hosted by the University of Kentucky with 36 schools participating from across the nation and 76 debaters competing. DeRitis finished the tournament ranked seventh in the nation. On Wednesday, May 12, the Forensics Team attended the 2010 Philadelphia Catholic Forensics League Banquet where results from the Varsity and Junior Varsity City Championships were announced. Congratulations to the following students on their excellent achievements: Junior Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking: James DeMarshall ’13 (2nd) and Gerardo Faia ’12 (3rd); Junior Varsity Poetry Reading: Shamus Clancy ’12 (7th) Junior Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate: Andrew Karmilowicz ’13 (4th) Junior Varsity Student Congress: DeMarshall (2nd) and Tim Dougherty ’12 (6th) Varsity Public Forum Debate: Joe Brenner ’10 and Steve Stinson ’10 (7th) Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate: Stinson (8th) Varsity Oral Interpretation of Literature: Mike McCabe ’11 (8th) Duo Interpretation of Literature: Alfred Ventura ’11 and Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton ’11 (3rd) Varsity Student Congress: Gress (2nd) and DeRitis (3rd) Extemporaneous Speaking: Brendan Zehner ’11 (2nd) and Cannataro (4th) Fr. Bur congratulates [l-r] Cannataro, Zehner and team moderator Dr. Barbara Giuliano
Based on the team’s collective efforts, SJP won the following Sweepstakes Awards: Overall Student Congress Sweepstakes (1st), Overall League Sweepstakes (4th), Junior Varsity Debate Sweepstakes (6th), Varsity Debate Sweepstakes (7th), Overall Debate Sweepstakes (7th), Junior Varsity Speech Sweepstakes (5th), Varsity Speech Sweepstakes (5th) and Overall Speech Sweepstakes (6th). Based on their performances at the City Championships, Ventura, Toniazzo-Naughton, Zehner, DeRitis, Gress and Cannataro qualified to represent the Philadelphia Catholic Forensic League the National Catholic Forensic League Grand Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska over Memorial Day weekend.
Hollywood actor Tony Danza [below middle] and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter ’75 [left] were on hand as the Prep served as the launching point for the Mayor’s Clean Up Philadelphia Day.
Rear Admiral Ray Berube – Commander of Naval Inventory Control Point Philadelphia and father of Peter Berube '13 – and John Arena '10 threw out the first pitches at the Phillies game on Thursday, May 20. Prior to the game, the Naval Inventory Control Point gave out their staff awards and had several hundred people in attendance. Arena received the honor as part of a Hawktion gift. May 20 was also Prep Senior Day at the Phillies, an annual tradition. Above, RADM. Berube poses, in his Prep Dad hat, with the Phillie Phanatic (Tom Burgoyne ’83).
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Students from Preparing for a Cure joined college counselor Amy Romm at a walk to raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. The walkers are Matt Chung '10, John Mike Devany '10, Ashley Haggard, Steve Gliatto '10, Mike Busza '10, Brian Lojewski '10, Mark Wisniewski '10, Kevin Rafferty '10, Ms. Romm, Tom Voter '11 and Matt Gliatto '12.
Congratulations to the newly elected Student Council for 2010-11: [l-r] Patrick Connelly ’11, President; Connor Dent ’11, Vice President; Frank Fanto ’11, Vice President; Tom Missett ’11, Secretary; Lou Lombardi ’11, Treasurer.
THE PREP NEWS
DROWSY CHAPERONE
LANGUAGE HONOR SOCIETY The Modern Language Department held a ceremony to induct students into the international honor societies for French (Société Honoraire de Français), German (Deutsche Ehrenverbindung) and Spanish (Sociedad Honoraria Hispa.´nica). Congratulations to the following inductees: Société Honoraire de Français: Dean Bloomingdale '12, Chris Cavanaugh '12, Habib Coulibaly '11, Fred DeRitis '10, Jakub Dziedzic '12, Anton Havrylyuk '10, Chris Jones '11, Mischael Joseph '11, Daniel Kurtz ’10, Conor Madden '11, Reginald Pharaud '10, John Pupo '10, Burges Unwalla '10 and Dainius Volertas '11.
SUMMER 2010
Deutsche Ehrenverbindung: John Burgoyne '11, John Devany '10, Alex Ehman '11 and Kieran Monaghan '10. Sociedad Honoraria Hispa´nica: Bryan Bacskai '10, Michael Barton '11, Sean Brophy '10, Michael Busza '10, Christopher Cannataro '11,
Nicholas Centrella '11, Matthew Chung '10, Kevin Claffey '11, Kyle Coppola '11, Andrew Dierkes '11, Stephen DiPietro '10, Robert D'Orazio '10, Bernard Gray '10, Charles Gress '10, Bradley Haas '11, Michael McCabe '11, Kevin McCusker '11, Patrick McCusker '10, Geoffrey McKernan '11, Timothy Morris '11, Philip Pasquarello '11, Christopher Radomski '11, Kevin Rafferty '10, Tyler Rhode '11, Erik Rocchino '11, Paul Sjostrom '11, Aleksander Smolij '11, Michael Stinson '11, Daniel Sulvetta '11, Raymond Toto '11 and Adam Walsh '11.
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s c ho ol ne w s
6
THE PREP NEWS
CREW TO HENLEY
THE ST. JOSEPH’S PREP CREW TEAM
The Henley Royal Regatta is the world’s most prestigious rowing competition. This year marks
COMPETED IN THE
the Prep’s 10th appearance at
HENLEY ROYAL
Henley and second in three
REGATTA AT HENLEY-
years. At Henley, Zac Munsell
ON-THAMES, ENGLAND,
’11 took Adams’ spot in the
JUNE 30-JULY 4,
boat as Adams had to report to the U.S. Naval Academy in
ADVANCING TO THE
Annapolis and was unable to
SEMIS BEFORE FALLING
compete. Steven Markham ’12
TO THE KENT SCHOOL.
and Ryan Barker ’12 served as alternates.
The Varsity 8 (Carter Law ’11, Dean Hill ’11, Colin Kane ’10, Pat McGlone ’10, Brendan
The Freshmen 8 boat (Jon Ghaul, Steve Fediw, Tom Kueny,
Courtney ’10, John McGrorty ’11, Steve Lezynski ’10, Brendan
George Twardy, Mike LaViscount, Tom Roberts, Brant
Adams ’10 and coxswain Lou Lombardi ’10) had an undefeat-
McGuigan, Dan Conroy and coxswain Jack Ribble) won the
ed season, winning the Flick Point trophy, Catholic League,
National Championship at Saratoga Springs, NY. The
Philadelphia City, Stotesbury Cup and SRAA National
Freshmen shell is named after John Spahr ’81, a war hero who
Championships, as well as defeating the Kent School at
died serving his country in the Iraq War. The boys dedicated
Noxontown Pond.
their win to John and his family.
INFANTE TAKES OVER FOOTBALL PROGAM In April, the Prep named Gabe Infante as its new football coach. Infante had been head coach at Paramus Catholic High School after serving as defensive coordinator at Bergen Catholic.
“I am excited about Coach Infante and his passion, intensity and enthusiasm,”
FRESHMAN DANCE
says Prep Principal Michael Gomez, who along with President Rev. George Bur, S.J. ’59 and Athletic Director Jim Murray ’59 made the final decision after an exhaustive search by a committee chaired by Murray and Al Zimmerman ’73, Director of Development.
At Paramus Catholic, Infante took over a program in decline and helped to rebuild it to respectability. Last season, the team improved to five wins. Prior to that, Infante was part of the Bergen Catholic coaching staff as the team rose to national prominence and a state title.
SOPHOMORE DANCE
A three-sport athlete in high school (football quarterback, basketball point guard and baseball shortstop) at Memorial High School and former Division I player at The College of Holy Cross, Infante has been a successful head coach, defensive coordinator, strength coach and college recruiter liaison. In addition to his time at Paramus Catholic and Bergen Catholic, Infante was selected by the American Football Coaches Association to be the defensive coordinator for the USA Junior National Team, which defeated a World team in an all-star game. He also has served as an assistant head coach at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington and defensive coordinator at Memorial High School in West New York, N.J.
JUNIOR PROM
"It is truly an honor and privilege to have been selected as the Head Football Coach at the Prep," says Infante. “I am excited about working with our young men and continuing the tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of this program."
At Paramus Catholic, Infante worked tirelessly with student athletes in the college selection process and developed an excellent reputation among college coaches for his professionalism and expertise.
SENIOR PROM SUMMER 2010
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pr e ppe r s in s c ie nc e
DR. ALBERT LA SPADA ’82 MEDICAL GENETICIST, UNIVERSITY
OF
CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO
IN THE MID-1980S, AS AN IDEALISTIC YOUNG MAN,
AL LA SPADA ’82 WANTED TO MAKE HOPING TO FIND A BETTER WAY TO HE TURNED TO GENETICS.
A DIFFERENCE. TREAT DISEASES,
San Diego (UCSD) where he is the Associate Director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine. He spends half of his time working with patients and the other half in the lab, working to find genetic solutions to the inherited neurological diseases. Although many advances have been made through genetics and medical research, La Spada warns that the process can be long and arduous.
La Spada’s rise in the genetics field was anything but slow. Early in his career, while still a grad student at the University of Pennsylvania, he made a major breakthrough. While studying under the direction of Dr. Kurt Fischbeck, La Spada worked to find the genetic cause of Kennedy’s Disease, a rare neurological disorder. While still in graduate school, he discovered a new type of genetic mutation, the trinucleotide repeat expansion. That discovery helped move forward the genetic understanding of many other inherited diseases, including especially Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy.
“It can be very challenging,” says La Spada. “Accessing the nervous system is not very easy and once there, the system is extremely complex. We are making significant progress now and are at a point where we have different types of therapies developing. We think that we may come up with a whole new type of treatment for neurological diseases but that remains to be seen.”
“I feel very lucky that I happened to select that disease to work on and the person I worked for was such a good human being who shared the credit for the discovery with me,” says La Spada. “He always pushed me out there, so, at an early stage, my career advanced very quickly. It was a really neat series of events.” It was more than luck that propelled La Spada along in his profession. There were equal amounts of hard work and intelligence that led him to the discovery. It was also a love of science, mixed with the desire to serve mankind.
[above] Dr. Al La Spada with Taiji Tsunemi, a Neurologist from Japan who is working on Huntington's disease in La Spada’s lab. [below] Al and his wife Sharon with their daughters Natalia and Katarina.
“As a young person, I was very interested in medicine and wanted to come up with better ways to treat diseases,” says La Spada. “I found medicine and human disease to be a compelling kind of calling. Being idealistic, as a product of a Jesuit education, I thought it was an area where I could make a difference.” After graduating from the Prep, La Spada studied at the University of Pennsylvania. There he explored both science and medicine, not knowing which path to follow. A counselor at Penn encouraged him to do both and he pursued an M.D./Ph.D. track through the National Institute of Health’s Medical Sciences Training Program. “The government has a vested interest in finding people who know medicine and know science to help come up with new ways of treating illnesses,” says LaSpada. “Since I loved school, studying for two degrees and getting paid to do it sounded like it would be right up my alley.” That led to a funded position at Penn (thanks mainly to “my mother’s novenas,” La Spada jokes) and the lab with Dr. Fischbeck. Since then, La Spada’s work has taken him to the University of Washington as a full professor and now at the University of California-
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La Spada envisions a future where everyone’s genes are mapped out and treatments can be started to help people avoid some of the more crippling diseases. “Right now, we have some of the best leads and opportunities that we’ve ever had,” he says. “It has been a real problem treating diseases that affect the brain and spinal cord. There are genetic factors that determine that risk. That’s the future of what our new institute at UCSD is all about. We are very close to sequencing people’s genomes. The goal is to make sense of it and determine what diseases people are at risk for getting, then screening for those diseases to catch them early, and in some cases, having patients take medications to prevent disease.”
Though La Spada’s work is now far from Girard Avenue, his Prep roots remain with him. “Teachers like Fr. (Stephen) Garber (S.J.), Mr. (John) Milewski and Mr. (Jim) Drew (’64), were so extremely knowledgeable, all of the teachers I had, in science and beyond, were that way,” he says. “Given how young we were, their ability to take us to the highest levels of knowledge was very impressive. We were challenged but never left on our own to figure things out. It was the perfect balance of instruction so that we could achieve the most possible.” He also points to the Jesuit ideals of rigor and ethics. “For me, it was great to have a Jesuit education and to be taught to follow your own thoughts and follow your own conscience,” says La Spada, who is married with two daughters. “We were taught to be open minded and willing to embrace different views of controversial issues. There was also the philosophical underpinning of being rigorous in evaluating ideas, together with the importance of ethics and understanding that the world is put together in such a way that things are never perfect. Sometimes we are unable to come up with solutions but that’s to be expected in this world. However, having religious and philosophical discussions about why the world is this way influenced the way I have lived my life and the career path that I have taken.”
THE PREP NEWS
MICHAEL DELANEY ’99 NASA ELECTRONICS ENGINEER WHEN MICHAEL DELANEY ’99 How Delaney got from Pitt to NASA is an interesting story. REPORTS FOR WORK AT EDWARDS AIR In college, he read Milton Thompson’s At the Edge of FORCE BASE IN CALIFORNIA, HE NEVER Space, which detailed the “x” plane projects of the 1960s. KNOWS WHAT’S IN STORE. AND HE Thompson was one of the X15 pilots and became the chief WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. engineer at NASA Dryden. That book sparked Delaney’s interest in the field. Delaney works at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center as an Electronics Engineer in the Flight Instrumentation Branch of the Research and Engineering directorate doing a wide variety of work, ranging from low-level electronics design, to integrating instrumentation and research systems into aircraft, and supporting research test flights with pre-flight system checks. His projects are mostly involved with supersonic flight and also making regular air travel more efficient and safe.
“Growing up, I had always been interested in science and computers,” says Delaney. “Then I read this book about these crazy people in the desert who tinker with airplanes all day, doing things that no one else in the world was doing. I thought that sounded like a pretty cool place to work.”
Now, Delaney’s branch is responsible for two major projects: the SOPHIA, a 747 that opens a huge door at 40,000 “I get to do a little bit of everything, it depends on the feet to allow for an infrared telescope; and the Orion Crew day,” says Delaney, who was a computer engineering major Exploration Vehicle, which is slated to be a replacement for at the University of Pittsburgh. “Some days I spend a lot of the Shuttle program. Though Delaney is only involved in time in the office, working on installation drawings. Some those projects on the periphery, he is very active in projects days I’m in the instrumentation lab, trying to improve the focused on how to make air travel safer and more efficient performance of a system. Some days, if it’s an operations and also exploring the boundaries of supersonic and day, I’ll be in the crew brief or in the airplane or mission hypersonic flight. The data collected by the research control. I love the fact that I get to be involved in so many instrumentation system is crucial to getting useful results different areas.”
SUMMER 2010
from a flight test, so at least one instrumentation engineer from Delaney’s branch is assigned to every aircraft. “There are a couple dozen safety measures on airplanes that NASA Dryden has worked on,” he says. “Basically, we take the things that others designed and make it realistic for flight. Our motto is we separate the real from the imagined. Until you get something on the aircraft and get it flying, you can’t say it’s going to work.” Delaney loves working at Edwards, the base of NASA Dryden which is also the home of the Air Force Flight Test Center and Test Pilots School. “There is always something cool and interesting flying,” says Delaney, who lives in Lancaster, Calif., 40 minutes north of Hollywood. “It’s the only place in the country where you will hear a sonic boom on a daily basis.” As for the various aspects of his job, Delaney believes he was well trained for it. “At the Prep, I got a lot of background in different areas and got the perspective that you shouldn’t be doing the same thing every day,” he says. “I learned that there is always something new and interesting going on and that we will never know what’s coming at us but we are prepared for it.”
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JOHN CYCON ’03 SCIENCE TEACHER M.S. 144, MICHELANGELO (BRONX, NY) IN JOHN CYCON’S CLASSROOM AT M.S. 144 OF THE BRONX, A SPIRITED CONVERSATION ABOUT BASKETBALL JUMP SHOOTERS IS UNDERWAY. The class–made up of 7th and 8th grade special education students, with some as old as 16–goes back and forth with the young man in the front of the room, debating who is the
the epitome of a naive 22 year old in college; I thought I had life figured out. I soon learned though that theories cannot explain what my kids go through. I wasn’t equipped to deal with teaching emotionally or mentally, even though we had extensive training. It was overwhelming. I’ve experienced a completely different side of life.” Cycon had to adapt and three years later he is making a difference.
better shooter and why. This is a science lesson? “Sometimes I have to trick them into learning,” says Cycon, who soon transferred the jump shot discussion into a lesson on arcs. “If you introduce a concept in ways that relate to them, you increase their engagement and understanding of difficult material. Many of my students have 3rd grade reading levels, I have to be creative.” The Bronx may not seem to be the most natural location for a guy who studied in the “Great Books Program” at the University of Notre Dame. But, Cycon saw an opportunity to make a difference and he accepted a New York City Teaching Fellowship, which places teachers into areas where there is the greatest need. “Someone once told me that college is the most selfish time of your life,” Cycon says. “In the back of my mind, I was thinking that so many people have put time and energy into me and I wanted to give meaning to all of those sacrifices. I wanted to repay them by helping those who really needed it.” It doesn’t get more “needy” than teaching special education in the Bronx. During his time, Cycon has experienced many things that would have sent others running. He has been punched, cursed at, and continues to struggle daily to reach students who are officially labeled as “emotionally disturbed.” But he has continued on and is now in his third year at the school, one year beyond the required time of service. “I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but honestly I had no idea,” he says. “As a Great Books major, we studied humanity from a philosophical perspective. I became
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“I finally figured out that school is secondary to other things in my students’ lives–their relationships, their family situation, their standing within the community,” he says. “The kids at this school have a different mindset than those in the schools that I attended growing up. I started teaching as I learned in middle school, using textbooks, giving notes, etc. They ate me alive. It wasn’t until I put them on sensory overload and structured lessons around their interests that I was able to make an impact. Treat it as more of a TV show than a lecture.” For Cycon, the science lessons are less about book learning and more about life. “To me, science is about inquiry and problem-solving. What I had to learn is that students aren’t interested in memorizing facts when they’re busy figuring out how to avoid being jumped. I now try to teach students a science for their lives. I want them asking questions about their situations and figuring out how to do better. If you can follow the scientific method to see all aspects of a science problem, then you have the thinking skills to survive on the streets. I hope these lessons make a difference in their everyday choices.” While he will soon move to law school, Cycon believes that he has received great wisdom from teaching science, something that he has loved since he was a child. “My dad is an aeronautical engineer and I have always been fascinated about why things work,” he says. “What I love about teaching science in the Bronx is introducing various concepts and helping students apply them to their lives. These experiences have taught me about a world I didn’t even know existed. I am grateful for everything I have learned these past three years.”
THE PREP NEWS
ROBERT GIUNTOLI, GYNECOLOGICAL
M.D. ONCOLOGIST,
’86
JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICAL INSTITUTION FOR A PATIENT, SIMPLY HEARING THE WORD “CANCER” CAN BE ONE OF LIFE’S MOST DEVASTATING MOMENTS OF HER LIFE. THAT’S EXACTLY THE TIME WHEN DR. ROBERT GIUNTOLI ’86 WANTS TO BE THERE. “Being able to care for cancer patients is a privilege.” says Giuntoli. “It’s challenging to say the least, but all your patients need your help. There are a number of patients we can cure and this obviously is the goal. However, there are a number of patients who will die even if you do everything right. These patients need you the most. They need you to provide medical care, but also need your support. There is something personally rewarding in providing this care.” Giuntoli is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine and a member of the Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution. As a gynecological oncologist, he specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system. He estimates that 75 percent of his time is spent in clinical work while the other 25 percent is taken up with research, especially in the area of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. Though he has followed in his father’s footsteps (Robert Sr. was a gynecological oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital), becoming an oncologist was not Rob’s original intention. It was during medical school when he realized that the field was something that interested him. “Obviously my dad was someone I looked up to, but I never thought I would be a physician dealing with cancer,” Giuntoli says. “Once I was in medical school, I realized that the specialty had found me.” He liked the idea of managing the whole disease process. “In gynecological oncology, I am able to look at treatment from all its different facets and give a more continuous treatment, more continuity of care,” he says. “It is much more unified than other specialties where you focus on just one aspect, such as only the surgery or only the chemotherapy.” Giuntoli is actively involved in areas of treatment, including surgical and chemotherapy options. He is also working in the lab, researching ways to utilize the immune system to fight cancer. “Once someone has a cancer, we try to convince the immune system to recognize this cancer as foreign from the body and have the immune system send its elements at the cancer to try and get rid of those cells,” he says. “There are a lot of different ways to do it; one way is to deliver a vaccine with a piece of the cancer. The body will recognize this component as a foreign element and go throughout the body to get rid of it. That’s at the theory at least. We’re still early in the early stages of getting these treatments to work.” According to Giuntoli, if successful immunotherapy treatments are developed, they could minimize the side effects of cancer treatment and increase the chance of cure. “Traditional cancer treatments kill not only cancer cells, but also normal healthy cells. We are looking at trying to get the immune system to destroy the cancer cells and leave healthy cells alone,” he says. “This way, we could have a more targeted therapy to clean up any remaining cells after traditional treatment or potentially get rid of cancer cells instead of traditional treatment. If you can train the immune system to attack the cancer, you can potentially improve outcomes and decrease some of the negative side effects of traditional treatments.”
SUMMER 2010
Giuntoli has had a life-long interest in science. As a kid, he remembers being fascinated by visits to the Franklin Institute. He remained keenly interested in his science classes at the Prep. But while he counts Ms. Barbara Brown and the late Rev. Stephen Garber, S.J. as mentors, he thinks that it was more than the science education that made his Prep experience special. “The Prep taught me how to think, how to approach a problem, any problem, not necessarily just a science problem. I learned how to be presented with data, process that data and come up with a conclusion; then we were taught to critically look at the conclusion, realizing that it may very well be wrong,” he says. “The Prep taught me how to learn. My Prep experience there formed the foundation for the rest of my education, college, medical school and beyond.” “Being a Man for Others is a part of being in medicine,” he continues. “I don’t see medicine as a job based on a financial reward. It’s a profession. It’s taking care of patients. It’s a mission. The Prep instilled that. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam…I still think about that as the basis of what I do.” Giuntoli, who is the father of two daughters (Anastasia, 5 and Sasha, 3), also values the science he learned at the Prep. “The science education I received at the Prep was outstanding. I was prepared for the challenges I faced in college,” says Giuntoli. “I look at the Prep as more than just a book education. It was the whole package. The scientific facts that I learned at the Prep were vital in my subsequent education. However, the other lessons were equally if not more important in getting me through life. It was not necessarily what I learned but how I learned. It’s not that at the Prep I received some secret knowledge of biology that allowed me to excel in medicine. But it’s that every class I took, in the way it was taught, helped to educate me as a whole person, as a man for others. It’s that part of it, the part that helped me be a Christian, even beyond the science, that is the true value of the Prep.”
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Slaughter is grateful to the Prep for teaching him not only to care for other people, but also for learning to think and to be creative.”
“
JON SLAUGHTER ’89 PSYCHIATRIST,
UNION SQUARE, NYC
ER PSYCHIATRY LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL (BROOKLYN) FOR
MANY PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS, THE
And it worked out very well. “My work as an internist gave me a good base in medicine
TREATMENT HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN SIMPLE...they
but I still wanted to become a psychiatrist,” says Slaughter. “It’s the one field of medicine
were prescribed a medication, which sometimes came with side effects, and hope for
where, as opposed to taking someone with an illness back to their previous level of
improvement in their symptoms. The results have varied.
functioning, you can help people create positive change to take them to a more optimal level of functioning where they can have more enjoyment and balance in their lives.”
Dr. Jon Slaughter ’89 hopes to help add to the treatment of emotional and mental illness. He focuses on Integrative Psychiatry, which melds psychopharmacology (prescribing
After a three-year psychiatry residency through Columbia University Health Care System
medicine), psychotherapy and any complementary treatments that have good evidence
(St. Luke-Roosevelt Division), Slaughter opened a private practice, Creative Living
and are useful in reducing the amount of medication needed to manage the symptoms.
Psychiatry, in the Union Square section of New York. He also works in the psychiatric emergency room at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn.
“While it plays a vital role in many areas, I don’t think Western medicine has all the answers for a lot of the aspects of emotional suffering with which people struggle,” says
Slaughter specializes in patients dealing with anxiety. While his treatment plans often
Slaughter. “I thought there was a gap.”
utilize psychotherapy and medications, they also implement techniques such as breathing meditation and supplements. The idea is to minimize the use of medication, though it is
Slaughter learned under the tutelage of Dr. James Gordon, a world-renown expert on
not always possible because, he says, “for some people the medication plays a necessary
complementary medicine. At that time, Slaughter set a goal of opening a practice that
role.”
would utilize treatments that range from specific breathing regimens, supplement use, meditation, biofeedback and use of herbal preparations.
Many of his private practice patients find him through his Website, www.creativelivingpsychiatry.com. Slaughter’s willingness to work with complementary
But before he could accomplish that goal, Slaughter first worked in internal medicine. He
treatments appeals to them. Other patients are referred to him and they may need more
spent three years as a Navy flight surgeon before leaving the service. It was then that he
time to be introduced to complementary treatments. “I try to shift people’s paradigm and
could explore his dream of integrative psychiatry.
have them focus on wellness,” he says.
“A month into my internal medicine internship, I knew I was meant to do psychiatry,” says
Slaughter is grateful to the Prep for teaching him “not only to care for other people, but
Slaughter, who decided to complete his Navy requirements as a general practitioner and
also for learning to think and to be creative,” says Slaughter, who points to English
then do a civilian residency. “I did medicine first because I was not able to do med-psych,
teacher Judith Christian and former teacher Rev. Donald Ward, S.J. ’56 as role models.
it seemed going from medicine to psychiatry would be easier than vice versa.”
“The Prep taught me to be available and present for other people.”
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THE PREP NEWS
FRANCIS QUATTRONE ’05 FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR BELIEVE
IT OR NOT, IT’S ALL
ABOUT BEES. For some, bees are a summer annoyance, something to avoid during picnics or ball games. As humans, we have grown accustomed to cursing their presence during our outdoor activities. However, without the bees, many foods that humans need to survive would be in grave danger. Francis Quattrone ’05 has been awarded a Fulbright Grant to study in Turkey; there he will examine the venom of a wasp specific to the northern region of Turkey in and around the Black Sea area. “One of the main reasons why I was awarded the grant is I’ll be laying the foundation for further research on this specific wasp,” says Quattrone. “The end goal is to hopefully one day clone the venom itself or clone the active elements in the venom to use as an insecticide.” This species of wasp preys upon the wax moth which is found in bee hives all over the world and is a contributing factor in the decline of bee populations. It is hoped that a specific insecticide can be used to limit the amount of wax moths present in bee hives worldwide.
“
I always liked science, and knew when I was young that I wanted to do something in it.”
SUMMER 2010
Why worry about the bees? “Bees are responsible for all of the food that is consumed (fruits, vegetables, cattle industry) but they are disappearing and scientists across the world are trying to find out why,” says Quattrone. Quattrone has taken an interesting route to Turkey. Early in his career as a student at Loyola University in Maryland, Quattrone took an Entomology course with Dr. David Rivers. The subject fascinated him and when looking for a research project to complete, he contacted Dr. Rivers and asked to pursue a project. While working with Dr. Rivers to study a parasitic wasp common in the U.S., Quattrone began to seriously consider applying for a Fulbright Grant. Dr. Rivers had colleagues in Turkey doing similar work and put Quattrone in touch with them. After getting approval and an invitation to conduct research, he began the rigorous process of applying for a Fulbright. At Loyola, Quattrone was working on a wasp indigenous to the US and looking at different types of staining techniques to see how the venom was affecting the host cells. “I never came to a ‘eureka’ moment but we did provide some insight,” he says. Though some might wonder about studying in Turkey, it seems to Quattrone to be more than a coincidence. While studying in Berlin as a freshman, he encountered a vast amount of Turks. Then, as part of his German minor, he also
studied how the influx of Turks in Germany are portrayed through film. “It all came together well,” he says. In Turkey, Quattrone will study at the Kocaeli University. The Fulbright grant pays for all travel, living (housing, food) and health insurance. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. But Quattrone has prepared himself to meet this mission head on. “I always liked science, and knew when I was young that I wanted to do something in it,” he says. “My time at the Prep was exploratory. Though I looked at other fields, I finally came back around to my childhood dream and accepted it.” Quattrone points to two Prep teachers, Mr. John Milewski and Ms. Barbara Brown, as teachers who made a difference. “I got so much out of those classes; one was more human based and the other focused on marine ecology. The coursework came so natural and everything was so interesting to me,” he says. “Those two courses stuck out very much.” For now, Quattrone is living in the Graduate Hospital area of the city as he completes a pre-health post-baccaulaureate program at the University of Pennsylvania. In September, he leaves for Turkey and the mission to help the bees. It is easy to believe they are in good hands.
13
MARC COOPER ’86 TEACHER, MATH
(WYOMING SEMINARY COLLEGE PREP)
NUCLEAR ENGINEER IN 2007, MARC COOPER DECIDED TO CHANGE CAREERS. AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES IN FIELDS SUCH AS NUCLEAR ENGINEERING, FINANCIAL MODELING AND WORKING FOR A SOFTWARE COMPANY,
COOPER
DECIDED HE WANTED MORE.
So he looked for teaching jobs and eventually found a spot teaching math at Wyoming Seminary College Prep in Kingston, Pa. He has never regretted it. “I had been doing a lot of computer work for a long time, including grad school, and I really got tired of sitting in front of computer screens and working with code,” says Cooper. “I had done some tutoring on the side and really enjoyed it and had worked as a teaching assistant for a couple of semesters at Michigan. I loved working with students, helping them work through problems. That’s when I really started to think about going into teaching.”
together a program that simulates weapons aging and performance by computer. In the absence of testing, we could do simulations to make sure the warheads were safe and reliable. It’s a good way to monitor what was happening with these weapons and see if there was need for replacement.” He spent two years there before switching to mathematical finance, writing models for financial derivatives pricing. He then went to work for a small software company in California. When he saw that the company was “spinning its wheels” he started looking around. He moved back to Philadelphia and worked remotely while looking for positions at private schools in the area. At a job conference, he connected with Wyoming Seminary, a co-ed boarding and day school with 430 students just outside of Wilkes-Barre. As a teacher, he has found that his science education “has been indispensible.” At Wyoming, he teaches everything from Algebra II to Calculus AB and BC. This year, he has created a new course, Introduction to Complex Variables, in order to accommodate some of the students who desire higher level math. “These students pick things up so fast; some students took pre-calc as freshmen,” says Cooper. “That was the catalyst for the new course… to accommodate these kinds of students.”
He credits two Prep teachers, Al Zimmerman ’73 and Malachy Boyle ’39, for planting the idea in his head. “Al was instrumental,” Cooper says. “He had told me for years that he thought I would be a great teacher. It was someCooper finds that he relies thing that I started thinkupon his Prep days in Cooper (standing right) with a student at Wyoming Seminary’s Science Research Group Night. ing about. And I had Mr. many ways in his new Boyle as my AP physics career. “I had some great teacher. He was a Prep alumnus who worked as an electrical engineer for years at General teachers at the Prep,” says Cooper. “I had Fr. Garber for chemistry, which may have been Electric. When he retired, he came to the Prep and taught AP physics; he seemed so happy the hardest class I had in high school but he was an excellent teacher. I had Mr. Hart for doing what he was doing. He didn’t need the money, could have been out playing golf or AP calculus and computer science which was really helpful, considering I spent a large doing what he wanted to do but he made the decision to come and work with high part of my career programming. But my favorite class in high school was Latin III with Mr. school students. That made a big impression on me.” Kling. He was one of my favorite teachers. The funny thing is I didn’t like Latin but I always So when Cooper tells his students that some material isn’t nuclear physics, he knows what he is talking about. After earning a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan, he went to work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a nuclear weapons lab in California. There he worked as a code physicist, writing code to simulate neutron and photon transport. He was part of a program that tested the nuclear weapons in computer simulations, ensuring their effectiveness and safety. “Once nuclear weapons testing was stopped in the 1980s, there was concern about how to know if these weapons were going to work if you don’t test them,” Cooper says. “You need to be confident that they will work and are safe. The Department of Energy put
14
loved history and still read about history. That class was essentially the history of the Roman republic through translation and I still have a love of that material.” And Cooper has taken the class atmosphere from the Prep to his own classroom. “One of the things I loved about the Prep was the environment in the classroom,” he says. “It was relaxed, teachers would joke around. You learned a lot but there was a kind of atmosphere in the classroom that I really enjoyed. We never thought of our teachers as unapproachable. Never felt that I couldn’t ask a question. That’s something I try to bring to the classroom when I am teaching. You want to engage the students and try to get to know them as people. It’s a different relationship between students and teachers.”
THE PREP NEWS
SCIENCE LABS OVERHAULED When the Prep opened its new building in 1968, many of the designs of the building were modern. The beautiful foyer, the state-of-the-art gym and the light and airy library were just a few of the new features.
been obtained and TV screens will be mounted on the walls so that all will be able to view the teacher’s work. Students will be able to capture images for lab reports and other uses.
skylight area above the library. These windows will completely change the look and feel of the third floor.
Sadly, the science labs, while updated and as modern as possible, were still based upon a mode of laboratory instruction that was on the way out. Even in the late 1960s, these labs were old fashioned.
“We want to have a mix of the physical experimentation with the modern forms,” says Feighan. “There is an expectation at most colleges that our students are fluent in both methods.”
In addition to the newly created lab, the former biology lab and biology prep room are being renovated. Next summer, the chemistry and physics lab will be modernized. When added to the physical science lab constructed last summer, the Prep will have a flourishing science wing.
“For 40 years, the labs were adequate, functional but outdated,” says Joe Feighan, a longtime member of the science faculty. “That’s not good enough. We need to bring our science labs up to current standards.”
The renovated labs will utilize octagonal tables that can float separately or be linked with portable tables. “This gives us more flexibility,” says Brown.
This summer, the Prep is embarking on a major step in that direction. In the third-floor space previously occupied by the Treasurer’s Office, a new lab is being created. Though intended mainly for biology, this new lab will allow for more upper level science courses. “We’ve made do with duct tape and band aids,” says Barbara Brown, one of several teachers who will be teaching advanced science courses in the lab. “We want to be able to provide more for our students. They deserve it.” The new lab promises to be completely modern. Two dozen new microscopes have
“The visual will be amazing,” says Feighan.
Among the more ambitious goals is to create a green component to the wing, utilizing the roof for possible solar panels or wind turbines. There will be great opportunities for hands-on work for environmental science, chemistry and physics.
“We have been saying for 10 years that we want to bolster our computer-based labs,” says Brown. The new lab will be 12 feet wide by 65 feet long. Windows will provide a vista from the hallways into the lab and then to a new greenhouse that will be created in the
The Prep has launched the first phase of renovations and new construction this summer due to the generosity of an initial lead donor. Check future magazines and the Web for updates on these exciting projects as the current work comes to completion and next summer’s renovations take shape.
Reunion Weekend October 15 - 17
Class of 1965, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 2000 and 2005
http://reunion.sjprep.org SUMMER 2010
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Over the past few months, the Prep community has engaged in a lively exchange of hopes and dreams. Our goal: a stronger commitment to our mission over the coming years. Many parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends took part in surveys, a planning retreat and other discussions. These exercises helped us envision our future and we developed a plan:
MAGIS:
Go Further Still, 2010-2016. This plan represents our dream to reach every student with an experience of learning and inner growth, one that will result in success at a college of choice and in a life of meaning. In recent years we renewed a sense of our Jesuit-inspired mission within our Catholic community and our city. This plan places the demand to practice the mission squarely on those who are trustees, administrators and faculty. Therefore, among other themes, we desire to enhance our culture of professional growth. These enhancements will better attract and engage our students. We will engage parents, too, so that they, as the principal influences on their sons, can better understand and con-
The three central words of the title of our plan,
the Jesuits. He wrote, “whoever wishes to distinguish himself in service [to Christ’s kingdom]… will go further still.” The Prep Board of Trustees approved the plan at its meeting in May. A summary of the main themes of the plan and the opening strategies for the next two years appear on the next page. These strategies will form the foundation of the sixyear plan. Our Prep community has survived and flourished through economic difficulties, demographic shifts and even a devastating fire. It survived because of our great faith in the mission. Our times present significant challenges to Catholic education both from the viewpoint of economics and of mission. Our
16
Go Further Still,
come from the writings of Saint Ignatius Loyola, the founder of
tribute to putting our mission into practice.
by Rev. George Bur, S.J. ’59
MA G I S : Go Further Still
commitment to the demands of this plan will position us to continue to find creative answers to sustain a school that is both secure and mission-centered. The plan rests on the confident foundation of all of us in the Prep community, especially faculty and staff. Let us all look forward in the next few years to working together at this crucial vocation with our young men.
THE PREP NEWS
1 We desire to strengthen the practice by which leaders of the Prep community deliver on the promise of the mission-driven education and formation of our students.
2
3
A fruitful economic and social diversity exists among the present student body that includes students from the city and suburbs, as well as students from many different ethnic heritages and from a range of socio-economic circumstances. We wish to preserve and strengthen this characteristic of our student body. We must continue to find the resources to seek out, admit and retain a diverse student body that is highly talented and academically prepared to succeed at the Prep.
A professional, growth-focused culture must continue to develop within and among our administration, our faculty and our staff.
Our major strategic initiatives
Select Operational Initiatives
over the next two years (2010-2012):
Approved for 2010-2012:
• Create and utilize a set of Characteristics of Professional
• Form a Freshmen Advisory Board to address transition
Excellence for Faculty, Staff and all adult leadership. • Continue to augment the effort to increase the number of academically qualified students from diverse economic, social and geographic backgrounds. • Complete a Master Site Plan that includes also a review of potential sites for sports fields. • Perform an assessment of the Development function
into freshman year. • Strengthen faculty-parent communication. • Renovate immediately two science labs and develop the plan to complete the renovation of all science labs by August 2011 [see story on pg. 14]. • Continue and enhance cooperation with neighborhood efforts addressing issues such as zoning, service and
including an assessment also of how to build endow-
outreach, community celebration and safety. Continue
ment and raise funds for capital needs.
educational and service outreach both to Gesu School
• Perform an assessment of technology so that it can be further, and more fully, integrated into the curriculum and overall student experience.
G O A L S
A P l a n fo r 2 0 1 0 -2 0 1 6
and through the Prep’s own Magis Program targeted to primary school boys. • Continue the development of a “21st Century Curriculum” through the administration and faculty driven initiatives in educational program review.
Major strategies in the future years of the plan (2012-2016) will build on these studies and strengths.
• Enhance the substance of faculty meetings to ensure their contribution to the success of the main themes of
Resources for endowment, for scholarships, for technology, for sports and other extracurricular programs will define
MAGIS: Go Further Still, 2010-2016. • Review student religious retreat programs especially
the central needs of a future fundraising campaign begun
with the goal of coordinating and enhancing the Kairos
in this period.
and related retreat experiences in junior and senior years. • Create more opportunities for students to participate in the Cape and Sword Drama Society by initiating additional performance and club activities.
SUMMER 2010
17
s t u d e n t pr of il e
Mark Wisniewski ’10 AS
A DRUMMER,
ENTIRE BAND. OTHER AREAS
MARK WISNIEWSKI ’10 KEEPS TEMPO FOR FUNNY THAT MARK DID THAT IN SO MANY OF PREP LIFE AS WELL.
THE
Like many young men, Wisniewski entered the Prep as a freshman with hopes of becoming a high school athlete. A lover of baseball and soccer, Mark was enthusiastic about playing on the Prep’s freshman teams but a tear in his lateral meniscus forced him to the sidelines. The injury, which may have seemed devastating at the time, afforded Wisniewski the opportunity to grow in directions he may never have considered. Coming from a musical family, it was only natural that Wisniewski had an interest in playing music. After receiving drums as a Christmas present at a young age, he developed his talent and has been drumming ever since. While at the Prep, Wisniewski has played in the jazz, concert, and pep bands, though he admits that the jazz band is his favorite. “The drummer in a big band is really the leader of the entire ensemble,” says Matt Schwartz ’02, Director of the Jazz Band. “Mark settled into this role with confidence and maturity, and made it easy for the other band members to take their cues from him. He took a very difficult job and made it look natural.” As a drummer, he keeps the beat for the entire band. Interestingly, he did the same for the Cape and Sword Drama Society as Technical Director of Stage Crew. What would a play be without first creating an atmosphere? For Wisniewski, known to many as “the man behind the scenes,” directing the stage crew is yet another activity on his list of accomplishments at the Prep. As Technical Director, Mark has
directed a talented team of “Preppers” to build the backdrop for this year’s Cape and Sword productions of Sweeney Todd and The Drowsy Chaperone. This year serving as Tech Director was his most memorable and he says that he took his position “very seriously. I was somewhat of a dictator when it came to directing the Stage Crew.” “Prep athletics loss was Stage Crew’s great gain,” says Tony Braithwaite ’89, Director of Cape and Sword who presented Wisniewski with the Society’s coveted Rev. Herb Keller, S.J. ’69 Award for embodying the Jesuit ideal of Age Quod Agis (whatever you do, do well). “I don’t think I have worked with anyone more energized or organized than Mark. He was so fully dedicated to even the smallest details of our two amazing sets this year for Sweeney Todd and Drowsy. Mark was always willing to stay late to work. There has simply never been a better Technical Director in my 16 years here. But more than that, Mark embodies everything right about being a Prepper.” As Mark reflects upon his four years at the Prep and prepares to study civil engineering in the Honors Program at the University of Delaware, where he has been awarded a full academic scholarship, he says that he plans to come back and check on the stage crew from time to time. Like most Preppers preparing to leave their alma mater, Mark simply says that he “loves it here” and leaving will be bitter sweet; however he plans to continue his connection with the Prep as he joins the alumni ranks. - Juliann Schwegler Wisniewski [center] with the stage crew
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THE PREP NEWS
fa c u lt y pr of il e
Kathy Sullivan DURING THE FALL OF 1983, THE PREP HIRED A “TEMPORARY ” ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. THAT TEMPORARY HIRE, MRS. KATHY SULLIVAN, STAYED IN THE CAPACITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR 20 YEARS BEFORE LEAVING BRIEFLY TO PURSUE HER DREAM OF TEACHING
ENGLISH. HAPPILY,
SHE RETURNED AND IS NOW A BELOVED TEACHER.
Mrs. Sullivan always knew she wanted to become an English teacher. As she describes it, she was “drawn to English, like a fish to water.” With a lifelong passion for reading and learning, Mrs. Sullivan loved everything about the prospect of becoming an English teacher, especially at the Prep. To make her dream a reality, Mrs. Sullivan enrolled in St. Joseph’s University’s evening program when her youngest son, Bryan ’94, went off to college. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Education from Saint Joseph’s University, she taught for a year at the Philadelphia Mennonite High School located at 24th and Poplar Sts. She was the only English teacher on staff. For a first year teacher, it was quite a challenge because the position required her to create a curriculum for each grade level without the help and guidance of a colleague. She admits that she enjoyed her experience there, teaching fifteen students per class, but she continued to have a burning desire to return to the Prep as a member of the faculty. After one year, Mrs. Sullivan returned to the Prep as a faculty member, filling in for another teacher who was on sabbatical. She used the time to demonstrate her expertise in the hopes of remaining on the faculty. Obviously she was successful as the next year she was hired to teach English, as well as work in the Campus Ministry Office. Mrs. Sullivan is very enthusiastic when speaking about her experi-
SUMMER 2010
ENGLISH
ences here at the Prep. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Sullivan. “I was very lucky to raise my children and then go back to school and teach at this great place.” She says the Prep has become a second home for her and her family. When she first began working at the Prep, she would drive in with her brother-in-law who was a student at the time. Her son, Brendan ’92, is currently a teacher in the History Department at the Prep. What she loves most about the Prep is that it is a traditional school—one rich in tradition that pulls from all socioeconomic levels, has diversity, and attracts the best students from the area. Although the school has changed physically, she says these traditions are at its core. Her colleague Susie Cook, Chair of the English Department, has great admiration for Sullivan. “Kathy does not know just how good she is at teaching,” says Cook. “Her rare combination of wit, wisdom, humor and style catalyzes her students—and certainly myself— to move with the Lord's spirit and confidence wherever we are. I admire Kathy in so many ways: for her fierce commitment to selfimprovement, for her genuine caring for her students, for her real and true friendship. She is truly a Prep woman for others.” While for the most part Mrs. Sullivan is the one doing the teaching, particularly with regards to the literature of Shakespeare, Joyce and Dickens, she states that she continues to learn from the students as well. “I have learned that no matter what year it is, the students don’t change, kids will be kids,” she laughs. She describes her students as “humorous and witty. They have a zest for life.” Characteristically, she is still in school, working on another Master’s degree, this one in Fine Arts from SJU. Mrs. Sullivan indeed has a love for learning. “My children often tell me that I would probably be a professional student if I could manage it,” she laughs. - Juliann Schwegler
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Class of 1960
50th Reunion
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THE PREP NEWS
c l a s s not e s
Several members of the Class of 1962 gathered to honor their classmate Tony Hayden [seated] at the annual Prep Classic, held in May at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
EDDIE BURKE ’63 Prior to the varsity basketball game against La Salle in January, the Prep remembered longtime coach and administrator Eddie Burke ’63, who passed away last summer. Phil Martelli ’72 [above right] head basketball coach at Saint Joseph’s University, spoke on behalf of Eddie’s family, players and friends. In addition, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter ’75 and City Councilman Jim Kenney ’76 presented the Burke Family with a council citation honoring Eddie [above middle]. The Burke Family was represented by Eddie’s wife B.A., children Melissa, Maureen and Brendan ’96, Maureen’s husband Matthew, Eddie’s sister Sister Mary Elizabeth Burke and Eddie’s grandchildren. Also, a banner was unfurled in Eddie’s honor. It hangs in Kelly Fieldhouse [inset].
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Policy, Purpose, Education and Business. The book grew out of Fr. Byron’s experience as a regular syndicated columnist for the Catholic News Service.
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Joseph Eisenhart ’36, who has been retired for 26 years, anxiously awaits each issue of The Prep News and finds it’s his best reading.
Joseph Jenkins ’45 and his wife of over 52 years live at Canterbury Place in Pittsburgh. He is Professor Emeritus on the faculty of the Music School of Duquesne University, still composing music and is organist for all services at the University: Catholic, Anglican and Jewish.
John T. Eads ’51, retired President of Eads & Associates, was the former Florida Distributor for G. E. Medical Systems and was named G. E. Medical Systems Hall of Fame #1 distributor four times. He and his wife live in Ormond Beach, FL.
Gordon Cavanaugh, Esq. ’46, a retired long-term partner at Reno & Cavanaugh, PLLC in Washington, D.C., was awarded The Cushing Niles Dolbeare Lifetime Service Award by The National Low Income Housing Coalition in the spring. He served as General Counsel to the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities for more than 20 years. He was appointed by President Carter as Administrator of Farmers Home Administration, USDA and was the founding Executive Director of the Housing Assistance Council, a national non-profit based in the District of Columbia. Also, he was Commissioner of the D.C. Housing Authority until March 2009. Before coming to Washington, he was Philadelphia’s Housing Director, serving as the Chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority and as President of the city’s Housing Development Corporation.
Charles Quinn ’51 and classmates Guy Martin ’51 and Rev. Thomas Duffy ’51 get together monthly for lunch at a pre-selected watering hole of their choice, a tradition that has gone on for four years. The group regularly meet on Tuesdays of every month. Anyone interested in joining should e-mail Quinn at cfquinn@verizon.net.
Frank Lombardo ’37 recently celebrated 62 years of marriage to his wife Mitzi.
1940s Rev. James Kelly ’42 is celebrating his 60th Jubilee as a priest this year. He is retired and resides at Epiphany of Our Lord Rectory in Plymouth Meeting. He is the former pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Broomall. Rev. Edward Chwieroth ’43 is celebrating his 60th Jubilee as a priest this year. He is retired and resides at D’Youville Manor in Yardley. He was formerly parochial vicar of Holy Angels Parish, Philadelphia. Rev. William Byron, S.J. ‘45, former Prep President, has released a new book, Faith-Based Reflections on American Life, a collection of brief general interest essays brought together under the headings of Family, Interesting Individuals, Spirituality, Peace and Justice, Church, Public
SUMMER 2010
Rev. Edwin Sanders, S.J. ’47 is volunteer chaplain at Berks County Prison for female inmates. On the weekends, he helps at St. Mary’s in Lebanon and is active in ecumenical work in the Reading area.
Dr. Raymond Rogowski ’52, who is a retired pathologist, is a volunteer teacher at Widener University where he instructs seniors in a variety of courses on preventative medicine and classical music. His current interests lie in the many disciplines of science, religious history and the lives, music and medical problems of the classical composers. He is presently engaged in historical research of the bible. Charles Sweeney ’52 is President of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Members were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism in aerial flight. Chuck was awarded three DFC’s in one week in Vietnam in 1972.
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John Toutkoushian ’52 and his wife JoAnn have been married for 56 years and are proud grandparents of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. William Hamburger ’53, joined seven of his classmates along with several wives diving in Marco Island, Florida in February. Joseph Heimerl ’57 completed his monograth Basic Arithmetic and Algebra: A Focused Review just months before he passed away. The monograph contains basic concepts, and does not use grade levels associated with the mathematical topics so it should prove a ready reference. It can be purchased at the end of July through Infinitry Publishing Company, West Conshohocken. John Quinn ’57 was named by USRowing as the winner of the Jack Franklin Service Award, which is given to a referee for lifetime contribution to the sport. A licensed USRowing referee since 1967, he also was a FISA Umpire from 1975 to 2005 and remains an active USRowing referee today. He served for many years on the referee commission, the USRowing Safety Committee, and is presently a referee clinician. Ralph Esposito ’58 is a professor at Vermont Technical College where he is Chair of Electrical and Electromechanical Engineering Technology programs. Rev. Msgr. J. Michael Flood ’58 is the pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Glenside. Jim Murray ’59, the Prep’s Athletic Director and Varsity Soccer Coach, and his wife Carole are the proud greatgrandparents of Brayden Patrick Walls, born to his granddaughter Katelynn Walls and her husband Timothy.
his first granddaughter, Jade Hyunchung Virella.
John O’Connor ’60 is still writing music with his son Mark for their band “Universe Narrows.” He and his wife Gretchen live in Concord, MA. Andrew Costello ’63 is proud to announce the birth of his first grandchild, Eva Costello, to his son and daughterin-law who live in Ithaca, NY. Charles Cristella ’64 has been retired from Gap, Inc. for 10 years. He and his wife Nancy spend time between Ocean City, NJ and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Most of their time is spent enjoying their seven grandchildren, ages 1 to 14. Lawrence DiPaul ’65 has been named director of the Office of Life and Justice for the Diocese of Camden. He previously served as director of Social Justice Ministries for the diocese directing the diocese’s efforts to integrate Catholic social teaching in the life of the local church through advocacy, service and faith formation. Prior to that, he was director of the Romero Center, a retreat and social justice education center in East Camden affiliated with St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral Parish.
Thomas Lyons ’60 has written a book You Can’t Get To Heaven On The Frankford El, which was released in June. According to Lyons, “the book portrays the challenging prospect of growing up and maturing from childhood through your twenties. The book addresses the joys, pains, defeats, victories, rejections, and conquests while growing up in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s in Philadelphia.” Gerald Madden ’60 will have his poem “Carousel Time” published in a 2010 issue of the National Association of Watch Collectors Bulletin. William McNulty ’60 is proud to announce the birth of
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David Grande ’70 and his wife Angela twice became grandparents in 2009. Alexa was born June 1 and Adriana was born September 13. Gerald McHugh ’72, a senior partner at Raynes McCarty, has once again been listed in the Directory of Best Lawyers in America in the fields of product liability, medical malpractice and personal injury. He received the 2009 McClanaghan Award from the Saint Joseph’s University law alumni for achievement in his profession. Recently, he was elected President of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the umbrella organization for all civil legal services programs in Pennsylvania.
Jerry Maginnis ’73 [above with Fr. Bur], a member of the Prep’s Board of Trustees, has been named “Father of the Year” by the Philadelphia chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Each year the ADA recognizes approximately 80 men from across the nation for the outstanding strength, commitment and love they exhibit as fathers. These men have not only attained success in their chosen field but have also carved out time to teach, raise a family and serve as proud members of the community.
Richard Cann ’60, who is retired, moved to Delaware in 2006. Rich and his wife Joan have three children and five grandchildren. They like to travel and spend time at their condo at the Delaware beaches.
Dr. Philip Greipp ’60 is currently the Director of Mayo Clinic’s Hematologic Malignancies Program and former Chair of Hematology Research; Mayo Clinic Section Head, Division of Hematology; Chair, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Myeloma Committee and currently President and head coach of the Rochester Rowing Club in Rochester, Minnesota.
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Dr. Francis Baird ’66 penned a poem, “Neshaminy,” which was published in the Spring 2009 edition of the Schuylkill Valley Journal and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His essay on the Lenni Lenape recently appeared in the Spring 2010 edition of SVJ. He is currently working on an historical novel about the first century and has studied the Torah and early Judaism with Rabbi Seth Frisch at the Lerhaus Institute of Jewish Studies as research for the novel.
1960s Walter Cunniff ’60, who joined the Philadelphia Fire Dept. in 1963, retired as Battalion Chief in 2003. He spent most of his career in North Philadelphia in areas around the Prep and was present at the Prep fire in 1966. He will be retiring from his post-fire career with Glaxo Smith Kline this summer. He and his wife of 42 years have three children and two grandchildren.
Dr. William Nealon ’69 has relocated to Nashville, TN and is Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Associate Surgeon-in-Chief at Vanderbilt Hospital, part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In 2008, his home and workplace in Galveston, TX were destroyed by Hurricane Ike.
Rev. Richard Malloy, S.J. ’73 has been promoted to Vice President for Mission & Ministry at the University of Scranton. William McFarland ’73 has been a sports columnist for the Times Chronicle in Jenkintown for many years.
Joseph Canuso ’66 [above] starred in the world premiere production of “Any Given Monday” by Bruce Graham, author of “The Philly Fan” and last year’s Barrymore-winning “Something Intangible.” The play, a co-production with Act II Playhouse, was presented at The Plays and Players Theater in Philadelphia in February. Rev. Michael McCormac ’66, pastor of St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Fairless Hills, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be a Monsignor earlier this year. Joseph Ryan, Esq. ’66 became President-Elect of the International Association of Defense Counsel in late 2009. He took office in Barcelona, Spain in July. John Lynch ’68 is a deacon candidate for the Diocese of Camden and is a Pastoral Care Minister at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ.
Dr. Anthony Pedicino ’73 recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his private dental practice in northeast Philadelphia. He recently participated in a continuing education program on the link between gum disease and heart/respiratory disease, as well as diabetes and pre-term births. He also reports that his son, John ’08, is doing well at Fordham University as a finance major. Walter Finnerty ’74 is the bassist for the Red Alert Band, which recently shot a promotional video at World Entertainment Productions in Manayunk. The band plays R&B and Funk plus a complete Motown set. In the coming months, they will be playing at various venues in the tri-state area. Rev. Paul DiGirolamo, J.C.D. ’75, pastor of Old St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity Churches in Old City Philadelphia, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be a Monsignor earlier this year. Msgr. DiGirolamo also serves as a fulltime member of the Diocesan Law Board in his capacity as a lawyer.
Stephen White ’68 was sworn in as Parliamentarian of the International Association of Chiefs of Police 20092010, an organization representing more than 20,000 Chiefs of Police in 90 plus countries.
THE PREP NEWS
Dr. Christopher Hannum ’75 has recently been installed as the new President of the Delaware County Medical Society. Dr. Hannum practices internal medicine, addiction medicine and bariatric medicine with offices in Chester, Glen Mills and Norristown. Dr. Hannum has been an active member of the DCMS Board of Directors since 1999 and has also served the society as President Elect, Vice President and Delegate to the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s House of Delegates. He is on the medical staffs of Crozer Chester Medical Center and the Springfield Hospital. He is a past Board of Trustees member of St. Joseph Preparatory School, serving from 1997-2003. Dr. George Truskey ’75 is currently Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University and National President of the Biomedical Engineering Society. Edward McBride, Esq. ’77 was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey by Governor Corzine in January. He currently serves in Camden County in the Criminal Division. He is the proud father of Michael ’13. Christopher Vargo ‘77 recently completed a M.S. in Nursing at Penn State University. He and his wife Angelina live in Harrisburg, PA. Laurence Pagnoni ’78 joined more that 50 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders for the launch of the Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership (IEL) Consulting Group at the Rutgers Business School in Newark, N.J. It provides nonprofit organizations with the experience of a large consulting firm and the accessibility and affordability of an independent consultant. Laurence has been a part of the founding team and is pleased to participate as a senior constultant as projects come up. Capt. Kevin Sweeney ’78 has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral [lower half]. Sweeney has been assigned as deputy director, Surface Warfare for Combat Systems, N86F, Officer of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. Timothy Sweeney ’78 is proud to announce that his son Tim will attend Dartmouth College next September where he will row for Dartmouth’s Lightweight Crew team. Tim says that his son “had a great Jesuit experience over the past four years at Saint Ignatius Prep of San Francisco, Calif.” Jay Devine ’79, a founding partner of Devine + Powers Communications Group, was re-elected chair of the Neumann University Board of Trustees in late 2009. He will lead the 27-member group through 2012. Michael Fluehr ’79 is the facilities manager at Holt Logistics Corporation. He and his wife Melissa live in Philadelphia with their four children, Melissa, Madalyn, Michael, Jr. and Molly.
Joseph King ’81 is Managing Partner of NXSTEP, LLC, an executive search and consulting firm specializing in merger and acquisitions within the group insurance industry, encompassing employee benefits, HR consulting & property & casualty. He is the proud father of Beau who will be entering the Prep this fall as part of the Class of 2014. Charles McGlynn ’82 is currently a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Doylestown. Charles and his wife, Donna, and their three sons, Shane ’09, Patrick ’10 and Colin ’13, reside in Jamison. Brian Perpiglia ’82 has opened Grey Lounge/Nightclub in Olde City. Brian is a CPA who is employed at Perpiglia and Associates, PC in Philadelphia. Richard Wegryn, Esq. ’82 is a partner with Cozen O’Connor practicing in the Global Insurance Group. He also serves as the Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Rich lives in Philadelphia with his wife Anna and son Ricky ’14. Clayton Carlin ’83 has been named the new Defensive Coordinator at Bucknell University in Lewisburg.
Matthew Quinn, Esq. ’87 works for the Secretary’s Office of Legislative Counsel at the Interior Department in Washington, DC. Dr. Gerald Beyer ’88 recently published a book Recovering Solidarity: Lessons from Poland’s Unfinished Revolution. He has also been tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Theology at Saint Joseph’s University. Mark Weinmann ’88 is area sales manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company. His territory currently includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Tony Braithwaite ’89 has had a busy year thus far. In January he starred in the premiere of his newest one-man show, “First Impressions: Tony’s Historical and Hysterical Take on the Presidents.” The show, as described by the actor/comedian is a “hilarious, mad-cap virtuosic one-man show...with three people.” Sharing the stage were Howie Brown ‘99 and Alex Bechtel. In April he directed the Cape and Sword production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and in May he starred in “The Story of My Life,” a heartfelt new musical about two childhood friends at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler.
Richard Benonis ’84 was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of the Pittsburgh Branch of AXA Advisors. Since his arrival at AXA, he has received much notable recognition including District Manager of the Year at Karr Barth in 2008. He and his wife Lyn and their two children, Reese and Vanessa, relocated to the Pittsburgh area in the spring of 2010.
John Master, Esq. ‘89 recently took a position as Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, Sports Operations at Madison Square Garden.
Daniel Fennell, Esq. ’84 has worked for the State Department for the last 10 years. He has had several overseas assignments and has worked on the staff of Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condeleezza Rice in Washington. He is currently the deputy chief of our U.S. Consulate in Calgary, following economic and political affairs. This summer he started a new assignment working with a Provincial Reconstruction Team in northern Iraq. He has been studying Arabic since the new year.
Daniel Gallagher, Esq. ’90, Deputy Director of Trading and Markets at the SEC, recently left the agency to return to private practice as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of WilmerHale. In recent years, he has played an integral role in the SEC’s response to the financial crisis and other key Commission initiatives, such as overseeing issues arising from the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, rulemaking to address issues regarding credit rating agencies, and efforts to facilitate the central clearing of credit default swaps. He worked closely with the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Board, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the CFTC, and various international bodies in these and other efforts relating to the crisis. He served as Co-Acting Director of the Division from April 2009 to January 2010.
Richard DeMarco ’85 is a real estate lawyer and a member of the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission which has been tasked with re-writing the “antiquated and obsolete” Philadelphia Zoning Code. The commission expects to have a bill for City Council’s review this fall. Joseph Dever, Esq. ’86 was recently appointed Assistant Regional Director, Division of Enforcement, in the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office. Joe lives in Yardley with his wife Kim and their two daughters Anna Elizabeth and Grace Anne. Christopher Jagodzinski ’86 has recently been promoted into a new position at Amtrak. In his geographical area, Chris is responsible for all transportation employees including all on-train employees (Engineers, Conductors, Service Personnel), station employees, as well as Train Dispatchers and Rail Traffic Controllers.
1990s
Richard O’Connor ’91 is the owner and founder of Asterisk Animation in New York, which did the animation for “The Buddha,” a film by David Grubin that ran on PBS. The full movie is available on PBS.org. John Darmohray ’92 is an environmental scientist at GEI Consultants in Mount Laurel, NJ, working primarily with the remediation of former manufactured gas plants. John and his wife Kristine recently celebrated the birth of their first child, Evan Robert Joseph.
The Class of 1987 gathered at the Prep for its annual dinner.
1980s Capt. Charles Sharkey ’80 is serving in Bahrain as part of the Navy’s Central Command, also called 5th Fleet. He is a Navy Captain who has been called up from the Navy Reserve. He is serving on the 5th Fleet staff as leader of the Executive Steering Committee.
SUMMER 2010
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Stephen Kriz ’92 has been promoted to Vice President at CB Richard Ellis, Inc. in Wayne, PA, and was awarded a 2009 CoStar Power Broker Award for the Philadelphia market. He and his wife Colleen, along with big brothers Joseph and William, welcomed their third child, Gregory Xavier in February 2009. Kevin Sharkey ’92 is the Line Producer of two shows airing in June and September: TLC’s “One Big Happy Family” which will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m., and ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” which will air on Fridays in the fall. Robert Gerhardt ’95 had an exhibition of his work “Life on the Border: The Karen People of Burma” on display at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. this past winter. The exhibition was part of the 22nd Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Rob McElhenney ’95, the creator, producer and star of the FX series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” is part of a large group of Preppers who have formed a new corporation called AMDG Partners which opened Mac’s Tavern in Old City recently. McElhenney is joined by his wife Kaitlin Olson and Preppers Dennis Hart ’95 (Dean of Students), Ben Haney ’01, Eric Vesotsky ’95, Matthew Battipaglia ’01 and Todd Biermann ’95 along with Biermann’s fiancee, actress Andrea Roth of the FX series “Rescue Me.” Christopher Murray ’95, cofounder of GaileyMurray, has joined the Board of Trustees at Woods Services Foundation, a Langhorne provider of educational, residential, and vocational services to children and adults with disabilities. Dr. Michael Davis ’96 recently remodeled and expanded his practice in Smyrna, GA, where he has been providing veterinary services for the past four years. His practice includes ultrasound, endoscopy, echocardiograms and general surgery for cats and dogs. Dr. Anthony Flynn ‘96 graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 2005 and finished his residency in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2008. He is currently completing a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Saint Louis University Hospital and plans to return to the Philadelphia area in 2011. Capt. Thomas McAvoy ’96, a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, will be deploying to Afghanistan with a Civil Affairs Unit. Tom has served twice in Iraq and presently lives in Great Falls, MT with his wife, Kelly and their two daughters. Alec Barker ’97, an independent consultant and author of Improvised Explosive Devices in Southern Afghanistan and Western Pakistan, 2002-2009, was a featured speaker at The New America Foundation in Washington, D.C. in the Spring. Charles Ramsey ’97 has released his second CD, “Good Morning and Good Night,” which is available on iTunes and on his website www.charlesramseymusic.com. Patrick Donohue ’98 has taken a position of Assistant Director of Technology Services at Loyola University of Maryland. Joseph Duffey ’99, Daniel Gallagher ’99, Brendan Duffey ’04 and Drew Saracco ’05 play in local bands and are a major part of the local music scene. Gallagher is a songwriter and frontman for the band “Crow vs Lion.” Joe Duffey is the songwirter and frontman for the band “Joe Duffey & Whatevers Clever,” which also consists of Gallagher (guitar, mandolin), Brendan Duffey (keys) and Saracco (drums, guitar) along with Joe’s wife Aria Mascaro (vocals) and friend Dan McShane (drums). Both bands often play in and around the city.
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Philip Gravinese ’99 recently published part of his Master’s research in The Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. The article is entitled “Patterns of larval release in the Florida Stone Crab, Menippe mercenaria.” He continues to teach at Heritage High, is an adjunct professor at Brevard Community College and was recently nominated as an “exemplary science teacher of the year candidate” by his peers. In the fall 2010 semester he will start his position as the Environmental Academy Director at Heritage High School.
Steven Boc ’04 was Deputy Director of Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Republican Party’s McCain/Palin campaign and deputy election-day operations director of Philadelphia for the same campaign. While in college, he was the field director/Senior Advisor for the District Attorney Race in Philadelphia. Currently, he is the Marketing Director for the Foot and Ankle Center of Philadelphia and is enrolled at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, FL. He will be clerking for a local judge in Philadelphia this summer.
Michael Rady ’99 was named one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” in November 2009.
Matthew Callaghan ’04 graduated from New York University with a degree in Biochemistry and is now attending Temple University School of Medicine.
2000s Michael DeHoratius ’00, a Tredyffrin Township police officer, was named Officer of the Year and received the award from Police Supt. Andrew Chambers who cited a number of attributes which included Michael’s work ethic, his integrity and the community service work that he does. Chambers said, “Michael is a role-model kind of guy.” Neal Dhand ’01 just finished production on his first feature-length film. “Second-Story Man,” which is now in post-production, is a psychological drama about the nature of revenge. He is the writer/director/ editor on the project, which was shot in Rochester, NY. The film should be hitting film festivals in late 2010/early 2011. Gregory Guffanti ’01 recently graduated from Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine and will start a residency in Family Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. Christopher Kurek ’01 has received his J.D. from Rutgers-Camden School of Law. Kieran McGee ’01 is living in San Francisco, CA and is employed by The Jefferies Company, a mid-size Investment Bank. Joseph Dolan ’02, who received a degree in Accounting from Xavier University, is employed at Miami Valley International in Sharonville, OH. He and his fiancé Molly Finnerty are planning a summer 2010 wedding.
Patrick Carney ’04 graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s degree in Journalism. He is currently employed at Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore, MD where he is the Associate Web Producer, Writer and Editor. Jimmarck Cuenta ’04 is a first year medical student at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, N.J. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairfield University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology. There he was inducted into Phi Beta KappaZeta of Connecticut Chapter, Alpha Sigma Nu (National Jesuit Honor Society), Psi Chi (Psychology National Honor Society), and Alpha Epsilon Delta (National Pre-Medical Honor Society. Michael Glynn ’04, an ensign in the U.S. Navy, recently received the gold wings of a naval aviator. Michael was named to the Commodore’s List with distinction. His next stop is survival school and then on to Jacksonville, FL for further training. John Shindle ’04, a 2008 graduate of George Washington University, has recently begun working for Get Prepped as an LSAT instruction and tutor. Andrew Tosto ’04 is currently employed with Greater Media Philadelphia selling advertising for 97.5 The Fanatic and 950 ESPN. He helps local businesses grow their revenue and market share or increase the number of leads for a company through custom marketing campaigns using the power of radio. In December 2009, Andrew won Greater Media’s President’s Club Award for being the best overall performer for his company in that month.
Justin Hopkins ’02 made his European opera house debut this spring with La Monnaie (National Opera of Belgium) in Brussels singing the roles of the Doctor and the Servant in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Macbeth.”
Alan Guffanti ’05 has recently entered the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Kuklinski ’02 completed his service with the Peace Corps in South Africa and is now employed as a systems engineer with Booz Allen in Washington, DC.
Michael Kuklinski ’05 graduated from Catholic University in 2009 and is a civil engineer with Clark Construction in Washington, DC.
Patrick McKenzie ’02 works in the Development Office at the DePaul Catholic School in Germantown, formerly St. Martin de Porres School.
Matthew Rafferty ’05, who recently completed a year teaching at the Prep as part of the Alumni Service Corps, was honored by the National Society of Arts and Letters for his entry to a creative writing short-story contest, hosted by the group. Rafferty submitted two stories, one a first-person narrative and the other a third-person narrative. He was one of four honored and was invited to the winners’ conference in Pittsburgh to speak about his inspiration for the stories and his approach to writing and literature.
Gregory Savarese ’02 is living and working in Beijing, China. Patrick Travers ‘03, along with lightweight crew boatmates Mike McDonald ’03, Brendan Stallard ’03, Andrew Rice ’03 and Lynn McGrath ’03 enjoyed rowing together again at SJP crew alumni day held Thanksgiving weekend [below].
Ryan Beppel ‘06, who just completed his senior year at Columbia University in New York, composed a classical piece “Receptive Aphasia” which was performed by Argento Chamber Ensemble at the 2010 Mata Music Festival in New York. Also the composition was the winner of the New Voices Project for emerging Philadelphia area composers sponsored by the Philadelphia chapter of the American Composers Forum.
THE PREP NEWS
David Clement ’06, a senior defensive back at Brown University, earned a spot on the all-Ivy League Second Team. Mark Fanelli ’06 and Paul Leggieri ’07 were part of the varsity lightweight four from Saint Joseph’s University that won the bronze medal at the Dad Vail Regatta while Patrick Kenney ’09 was part of the Freshman Heavyweight 8 that won the gold. Drew Hill ’69 is the SJU head coach while John Fife ’98 is an assistant who coached the varsity lightweight shells. Kevin Kearney ’06 and Tom Iannacone ’08 were part of the Distance Medley team that broke a Wagner College record that stood for 29 years when the team finished the New Balance Collegiate Invitational seven seconds better that the record. Patrick Koehl ’06 is a member of Gettysburg College’s lacrosse team, which recently was ranked No. 1 in Division III.
Michael Wallace ’06 coordinated and created Penn State’s Last Stop Music Festival which drew 10,000 students on the last day of classes. The show featured headliners Fabolous, State Radio, Matt & Kim and Titus Andronicus. Jeff Battipaglia ’07, an offensive lineman, and Neil Doogan ’07, a member of the special teams, helped lead Navy to its seventh straight Commander in Chief trophy with wins over Air Force and Army as the Midshipmen completed a 10-4 season and won the Texas Bowl Championship. Also, Jeff has been named to the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. Jake Braithwaite ’07 was crowned “Fordham Idol,” securing his win with a performance of N’Sync’s “This I Promise You” in the fall of 2009. Recently he was elected Executive President of the Residence Halls Association, Fordham’s student government of the residence halls. Joseph D’Orazio ’07, a junior center at the University of Pennsylvania, was unanimously selected first team, allIvy League. Joe was one of four Prep alums (offensive tackle Joe McKendry ’07, defensive back Jim McGoldrick ’08 and offensive guard Mike Pinciotti ’09) who helped Penn win the Ivy League title in 2009. Recently Joe was named one of four captains for the 2010 football season. Peter Dugan ’07 performed classical, jazz, and funk music at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center in the spring. After a first half of solo classical piano music, Peter was joined by his brother Leonardo Dugan ’98 on sax, Will Kain ’07 on drums, and Alex Salwach on bass. The program included a wide range of musical styles, from Beethoven’s tragic “Tempest” sonata to a funk version of the traditional spiritual “Balm in Gilead.” Christopher Gavin ’07 was selected to chair the Concert Committee of Fordham’s Activities Board. Chris held the position before having recently hosted MGMT at Fordham for the annual Spring Weekend.
Jack Leonard ’06 graduated from Princeton University last month and was awarded “The William Winston Roper Trophy” which is awarded to the school’s top male athlete. The award is given “to the Princeton senior man of high scholastic rank and outstanding qualities of sportsmanship and general proficiency in athletics.” No member of the lightweight crew has won the award in its 80+ years. Past winners include Bill Bradley, former U.S. senator who won the award in 1961. Joseph McNelis ’06 graduated from Fordham University in May 2010 and will be attending Temple Law School in the fall. Michael Noel ’06 and Kevin Moogan ’06 recently took home the prize for Best Comedy at the 2010 Fordham Campus Movie Fest with their film, “Brian.” Kevin and Mike advanced to the Northern Regional Grand Finale for their win. Also, Kevin was nominated for Best Actor. This is the second year in a row the duo received these honors. The movie also features Tadhg Ferry ’06 and Mike Schmidt ’06. John Pichola ’06 rowed as a member of the University of Delaware which won a silver medal in the Varsity Heavyweight 8 event at the Dad Vail Regatta. Michael Trerotola ’06, executive president of the Residence Halls Association at Fordham University, helped lead the Haiti Relief Auction at Rose Hill for Haiti Relief in the spring. The event was hosted by RHA chief of staff Jake Braithwaite ’07. Mike also won Fordham’s Senior Leadership Award in recognition for his service and commitment to student activities at Fordham for the past four years.
SUMMER 2010
Kevin Nihill ’07, a junior at Boston College, submitted a short film “Man of the Year” to compete in Boston College’s annual short film contest. The film is a comedy that was done in a photomontage style. Each year there is a red-carpet awards ceremony called The Baldwin Awards which recognizes excellence in film and video among the undergraduates. Kevin won four Baldwins for Man of the Year including Best Picture of the Year. In addition, he won awards for Best Experimental Movie, Best Work by a Non-Film Major and Viewer’s Choice Award which is voted on by students. Jim Shields ’07 was selected to chair the Comedy Committee of Fordham’s Campus Activities Board. David Spence ’07 has been elected president of the Marquette University Residence Hall Association for next year, 2010-2011. David will be a senior at Marquette next year, majoring in Supply Chain Management and minoring in Finance. He served as the Vice President of their Residence Hall Council this past year. Chris Whitney ’07, a junior quarterback at Villanova University, was selected first-team all-Colonial Conference and Chris also led the Wildcats to the FCS National Championship.
Samuel Settle ’08, Chairman of the Penn State Young Americans for Freedom, organized and led a Rally for Academic Integrity this winter. Samuel was appointed to the national Board of Directors of the Young Americans for Freedom as the Southeast Regional Director, and also serves as Chair for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was recognized for his accomplishments by being invited to speak at the National Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C and at the 2010 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Harrisburg, PA. He received a Student Leadership Scholarship from Penn State last fall and a Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship from The Phillips Foundation this spring. Christopher Smith ’08 was named Co-Captain of the Ursinus College Swim Team. Garrett Barker ’09 is a member of the freshman lightweight crew team at Cornell University. Joseph Boyle ’09, a freshman tennis player at Chestnut Hill College, earned a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference all-conference selection after his performance in the conference’s individual championship tournament. Boyle also received the honor of Rookie of the Year. Andrew Goebel ’09, a musical theatre major at De Sales University, was in the ensemble and also an understudy for Big Julie in the Main Stage Production of “Guys and Dolls” which ran in the spring. Gregory Mahon ’09, a freshman at Virginia Tech, earned a spot on the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-academic team. Mahon, a butterfly and IM specialist, was a vital force throughout the season, setting a school record in the 200 IM and boasting the team’s top times in the 100 and 200 butterfly events as well. Christopher Trerotola ’09, who wrote, directed, and edited the movie “The Big Picture” won the Fordham Audience Vote Award which advanced the film to the Northern Regional Grand Finale for Campus Movie Fest. Over 40 movies were submitted to this year’s fest, with only four of those films advancing to the Regional Final.
Prior to the Phillies-Nationals game in Washington, Fr. Bur greets Finn Bruno, son of Kathy and Rich Bruno ’88. They were part of more than 40 DC area alums who gathered to watch the Phillies victory in April.
Alexander Dempsey ’08 has been elected President of Habitat for Humanity’s Elon University Chapter in North Carolina. Ernest Menold ’08 is a sophomore at Loyola University in Maryland and plays ice hockey for the Loyola club team.
25
BIRTHS Mark Christopher to Shannon and Charles Dougherty ’77 [1]
Michaela Marie to Maureen and Joe Murphy ’95 [9]
Pierce William to Kathleen and Peter Vossenberg ’79 [2]
Audrey Anne to Katie and Walter Timby ’95 [10]
Conner to Kathleen and Clayton Carlin ’83
Ireland Paige to Jacqueline and Michael Thomas ’95 [11]
Stephen Rocco and Dominic Oswald to Debra and Stephen Olivieri ’83 [3]
Joseph Patrick and John Rowitt to Maria and Thomas Eble ’96 [12]
Gavin Nevins to Denise and Terry Graham ’85
Madeleine Rose to Jennette and Kevin McCloskey ’96 [13]
Cole Matthew to Jennifer and Scott Oeschger ’90 [4]
Joseph Paul to Kate and Brian Madden ’97 [14]
Evan Robert Joseph to Kristine and John Darmohray ’92
Anna Kathleen to Lizann and W. Sean McLaughlin ’98 [15]
Gregory Xavier to Colleen and Stephen Kriz ’92 [5]
Josephine Virginia to Carrie Miller and Timothy Young ’98 [16]
Reid to Rachel and Brad Sheehan ’93 [6]
Abby Grace to Stephanie and Richard Cooper ’99
Annaliese Marie to Alicia and Thomas Farren ’94, Modern Language Teacher
Andrew Christopher to Kathleen and Christopher Esposito ’99
Kellan Michael to Carla and Michael Levins ’94 [7]
William Edward to Michelle and Kevin Stefanski ’00 [17]
James Timothy to Stephanie and Timothy Vieira ’94 [8]
Gabriella Gracen to Meghan and Arthur Kay ’01 [18]
1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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WEDDINGS
1
2
3
Jon Slaughter ’89 and Courtney You Matthew Ruggles ’96 and Ashlee Godshalk Timothy Madden ’98 and Lindsey Cobbett Michael Nolan ’98 and Gwenn Daniels J. Gerald Rafter ’98 and Jill Zbrzeznj [1]
4
5
Joseph Foster ’99 and Meryn Vadurro [2] Michael Rady ’99 and Rachel Kemery [3] Christopher Undi ’99 and Erin Anspach [4] Daniel Geraghty ’00 and Rachael Ferguson [5] John Bloor ’01 and Cecelia Kelly
26
THE PREP NEWS
IN MEMORIAM DANIEL A . BRENNAN 1939-2010 For Preppers who attended school in the 1960s through early 2000s, there is little doubt that Daniel A. Brennan was a large presence in many Prep memories. As a teacher, administrator, principal and fundraiser, Dan epitomized the Prep for thousands of Preppers and their families. Dan began as a French teacher in 1960, instantly becoming one of the school’s most popular faculty members. Though a West Catholic graduate, he became a Prepper through and through and was named an honorary member of the Class of 1965. Though he was outstanding in the classroom, it was as an administrator that Brennan had the greatest impact. First, Brennan was Registrar before becoming the first lay principal in 1979. As the leader of the Prep, Dan was omnipresent at Prep events. Wearing his trademark plaid pants and brightly colored sports coats, Dan was everywhere. During days of low enrollment and questions about the
school’s future, Brennan was the high-energy symbol of the Prep. After stepping down as principal in 1991 (and becoming an honorary member of the Class of ’91), Dan took a sabbatical before returning to the school he loved in the Admission Office. There, he joined with Al Zimmerman ’73 to battle the school’s enrollment issues. They developed the bussing system, which is widely credited with ushering in the current era of success. In 1998, Brennan took over the Development operation after the retirement of Gus Kueny ’53, the school’s longtime fundraiser and vice president for operations. Brennan helped complete the campaign to build Kelly Fieldhouse and was active in the infancy of the Campaign for the Prep which resulted in Jesuit Hall. Dan and his wife Diana had two sons, Dan ’84 and Matt ’87, and five grandchildren.
REST IN PEACE Joseph J. McGovern ’35 Edward C. Leahy ’36 Thomas J. Elliott ’37 Thomas J. McCormac ’37 Joseph W. Parkin ’37 Rev. John J. Deeney, S.J. ’39 Thomas H. Rooney ’39 Terence J. Anderson ’40 Rev. Eugene J. Linehan, S.J. ’40 Alexander J. MacCausland ’40 John A. Wiedmann ’40 John C. Hartman ’41 Joseph W. Carroll ’42 Alexander M. Haig ’42 Mario P. Nascati ’42 Nelson J. Curran '43 John J. Byers ’44 Michael C. Monaghan ’44
Norbert J. Fenerty ’46 Robert R. Read ’47 Walter J. Costello ’48 Eugene J. McCaffrey ’48 Thomas A. Costello ’49 Msgr. Leonard A. Furmanski ’49 Joseph F. Mulcahy ’49 Joseph F. Burgoyne ’50 John Hurley Law ’50 Joseph J. Scarano ’50 Robert J. Nace ’52 Charles J. Repper ’52 Charles J. Cope ’53 Albert M. Milani ’54 William F. Casey ’55 James A. Martin ’55 Joseph A. Palladino ’56 Joseph M. Heimerl ’57 Johannes H. Broehl ’58
Robert F. Cardamone ’58 Jerome J. O’ Brien ’58 Ted Anderer ’59 Paul J. Boland ’59 Joseph A. Foering ’59 Frank J. Landy ’60 Louis E. Vignola ’60 John P. McGuinn ’61 Carl F. Wilson ’62 Roy A. Hoffman ’63 Daniel A. Brennan Hon. ’65, ’91 Richard H. Widak ’66 Donald J. Stumpo ’68 Gary C. Hochstuhl ’72 Laurence H. Hoffner ’74 Anthony M. Cocco ’82 Philip J. Kolea ’83 Joseph M. Minarik ’84
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SUMMER 2010
27
pe r spe c t i v e s
difference
one project makes a
A
NDREW PACKER ’06 PUT HIS ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE TO GOOD USE. As part of his capstone project
at Villanova, he led a team that is helping to
develop a hydro-electric system to bring electricity
to communities in Nicaragua.
Graduating from the Prep, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. I had loved Fitz’s (Deacon Tom Fitzpatrick) physics classes and math always seemed to come easily to me. I had chosen Villanova and was thrown right into the mix of engineers. While I spent freshman year getting my feet wet, I started to explore what Villanova had to offer for service. During sophomore year, I traveled to Slidell, La., for Habitat for Humanity to
Growing up, I always had a desire to try and make a difference.
help with the effort of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. After
Attending the Prep only helped develop this passion. It is a pas-
returning home, I had the feeling that we could do more, not
sion that was showed itself by volunteering for Habitat for
just as people, but as engineers. We were learning about all dif-
Humanity and a service trip to Ivanhoe, Va. These experiences
ferent parts of infrastructure such as thermodynamics, struc-
were always humbling and helped open my eyes to the world
tures, hvac, systems dynamics, and our moral and social
around us. While we cannot change the world in one step, I
responsibility. So how could we, as engineers, help people?
learned that we all must realize that we can make a difference through whatever interests us.
28
One of the programs I began to learn about was called Water for Waslala (WFW). It was started at Villanova in 2003 by recent
THE PREP NEWS
the mountains, above the clouds, and were wonderful people who opened up their communities to us. When we left, we felt like we had made a true and lasting connection.
Upon returning, the mechanical engineers were beginning to select capstone projects that begin midway through the 2nd semester of junior year. Having recognized the strong need for electricity in Waslala, I and six other engineers formed a group to address this issue. Our goal was to create a sustainable template that could be implemented wherever there was a hydrodynamic potential. I was extremely excited that I could apply what I had been learning to something that could help the people I had met and worked with during the trip. In April, our team, Power to Empower, began to take shape. We reached out to the business school for our trip to help assess the economic impact of micro-hydro system and entered a social entrepreneurial competition which our team won this past April. Our main focus was to plan our fall trip to Waslala to meet with our partners and the different community members to ensure their commitment and support. The team also planned to meet with the local parish priests since the Catholic mission is a trusted and supported part of the community of Waslala. Our fall trip graduate Matt Nespoli. The program utilized the expertise of
would help us determine the type of system and how much
the College of Engineering, particularly the Mechanical
electricity we could provide.
Department, to help develop gravity-fed potable water systems for the communities of Waslala. I applied for the spring trip in November of my junior year and was accepted along with eight other engineers. So for spring break 2009, our group boarded a flight to Nicaragua to put our engineering expertise to use.
Upon arriving back to Villanova and analyzing the data from the engineering and community assessments, our group had determined that there was enough water for a 60 kilowatt system which would support almost 60 households. To put that in perspective, the average US household uses approximately 9
Our trip was incredible. I had the opportunity to meet the peo-
kilowatts every day. We are working closely with the Ministry of
ple of Waslala, the priests who had been there since the revolu-
Energy and the Municipality of Waslala. Our group announced
tion and members of the local government. I witnessed first-
in May the donation of over $28,000 to this specific project and
hand the everyday struggles they had because of their lack of
just received full support from the government to begin con-
access to electricity, clean water or a strong educational sys-
struction. We are currently moving to organize the technical
tem. My team visited the community of Las Nubes (which
and financial assistance necessary for the community to ensure
translated means 'the clouds') where we broke ground on their
success and looking forward to breaking ground in 9-12
first water system. This community was located on the top of
months.
WINTER 2010
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