W&J Magazine Winter 2020

WINTER 2020

Washington C O L L E G E

Jefferson M A G A Z I N E

THRIVING TOGETHER:

How the students of W&J build their campus community

Washington & Jefferson College Magazine WINTER 2020 Vice President of Communication & Marketing KELLY KIMBERLAND ’91

Editor SARAH DUDIK

Contributors TORY IRWIN ERIN FAULK JONES ’08 SASHA KOTARSKI KERRI DIGIOVANNI LACOCK ’09 KAYLA MADDEN ANDY STANKO AARON THOMPSON KALEY TOMSIC

Creative Director MATT MICHALKO

Photographers ELLIOTT CRAMER MARTIN SANTEK

Printer FREEPORT PRESS

W&J Magazine, published twice a year by the Office of Communication & Marketing, showcases alumni and campus news of interest to more than 18,000 alumni and friends of the College.

We want to hear from you Know of a good story we should tell? Need additional copies or back issues? Want to tell us what you thought of this magazine?

Email wjmag@washjeff.edu or send a letter to: Editor, W&J Magazine Office of Communication & Marketing Washington & Jefferson College 60 S. Lincoln Street Washington, PA 15301 If your contact information has changed, please let us know at alumni@washjeff.edu.

ON THE COVER: Students enjoyed a game of oversized Jenga at the New Student Block Party in August on the Burnett Lawn.

Okikiola Agbale ’22 shoots a free throw in the inaugural mens basketball game at the newly-renovated Salvitti Family Gymnasium Nov. 12. W&J defeated Pitt-Greensburg by a 74-67 score.

Washington C O L L E G E

Jefferson M A G A Z I N E

WINTER 2020

W&J IN EVERY ISSUE

Presidential 1 Perspectives 2 News

Campus Speakers Faculty Achievements

Students enjoy pizza and drinks in the new kitchen area of Beau Hall, one of the residence halls that was renovated over the summer.

W&J FEATURES

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A Plan for Success W&J approves new strategic plan

VPs with a Vision Vice Presidents Jeff Frick and Jim Irwin are helping steer W&J toward a bright future

Thriving Together How the students of W&J build their campus community

Strong in STEM Faculty support earns W&J recognition as a top producer of women with doctorates in STEM fields

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Sports Women’s tennis earns first PAC title Salvitti Family Gymnasium dedicated

26 Alumni

Get to know the Alumni Executive Council W&J launches crowdfunding with Prez Projects Homecoming Weekend 2019 Q&A with Alex Brueckner ’11

32 Class Notes like us on FACEBOOK

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PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVES

Developing Leaders of Exceptional Competence and Character What are the qualities that set W&J graduates apart in today’s competitive market for talent? This question was at the center of our recent strategic planning process, for we knew that decisions about our future must begin with a clear understanding about what the College does best.

Our highly personalized approach to education ensures that each of our undergraduates benefits from a unique experience designed to meet individual needs. Yet all share a four-year journey designed to develop maturity, sound values, and leadership potential.

Because of this longstanding commitment to the holistic development of students, Washington & Jefferson College is known around the world for producing respected leaders in every field of endeavor. Our graduates are sought by leading employers and graduate schools for their professional readiness, leadership ability, and uncommon integrity. This combination also ensures that they are often the first among their peers to be promoted.

Dr. Knapp chats with students during the New Student Block Party, hosted by the Knapps in August to welcome new students to the campus with fun, games, and food.

Developing exceptional leaders has been W&J’s mission from the earliest days. As the American Revolution drew to a close, our founders foresaw the need for an educated citizenry to help lead a newly independent nation. The charters of the two predecessor schools spoke of a mission to “promote the public good” and to ensure the “good government of states, and the peace and welfare of society.”

Consider how this larger sense of purpose contrasts with the rhetoric of today’s politicians and media pundits that tends to reduce a college degree to a ticket to a trade – a private good measured solely in terms of its benefit to the individual graduate. W&J’s founders had no doubt that their students would be well prepared for professional success, but they insisted that they also commit themselves to serving the good of others. This vision was reiterated after the Civil War when Jonathan Edwards, president of the merged colleges, declared that W&J’s highest aim was “to secure and to hold forth the true principles of national liberty, stability and progress.” It would do so by equipping graduates to lead and serve.

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Our new strategic plan carries this mission forward with a commitment to ensure every student gains the leadership skills, knowledge, and values necessary to tackle complex problems, build consensus, resolve conflict, and effect positive change for the common good. We believe it is our responsibility to prepare leaders to meet ethical challenges in every sector of 21st century society.

A new Center for Leadership and Ethics is now being designed, and with it the curricular and co-curricular resources to even more intentionally form W&J students as leaders of exceptional competence and character. We welcome your ideas and look forward to keeping you apprised of our progress with this exciting new initiative.

With my gratitude,

John C. Knapp, Ph.D. President and Professor

BEYOND

THE CLASSROOM

W&J students excel at academics, but also thrive outside the classroom through enrichment opportunities provided by the College. During Fall 2019, our students expressed their creativity, demonstrated their generosity by giving back to the community, and enjoyed College-sponsored activities and events.

W&J participated in the Washington Holiday Parade for the first time, with students designing and building the parade float.

The float initiative, introduced by Kelly Knapp, gave students a creative way to showcase their #PrezPride and join with the greater Washington community for a truly special holiday celebration.

This Fall, the Division of Student Life launched a new initiative for seniors called EMBARK. Through EMBARK, the Division prepares students for life after graduation, hosting various events and activities that provide real-world knowledge for students about to enter the next phase of their adult life. In December, the Division hosted a party for seniors during a W&J basketball game to celebrate their fall 2019 accomplishments.

W&J students helped out around the Washington community Oct. 26, working on various projects for Make a Difference Day through the Division of Student Life’s Office of Community Engagement. One of the groups of students worked with the LeMoyne Center to provide food and entertainment at their Halloween Bash. The LeMoyne Community Center, serving Washington County, provides education, art, health and recreational programming for area youth to give them a positive outlet for their energy and creativity.

Every week could use an exclamation point at the end, and that’s what Feel Good Friday (FGF) provides for W&J students. Every Friday, the Division of Student Life sets up an event for students to feel a little cheer heading into the weekend. Different offices and organizations across campus host a Friday and pass out small gifts and treats to brighten the students’ days.

In October, student organizations like the Student Government Association (SGA) and Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted FGF for their fellow students.

Finals week can be a stressful time, but the Division of Student Life and other areas of the College come together to make sure students have a chance to switch gears with fun activities. Stress Busters include Late Nite Breakfast, snack breaks, and the popular PAWS for A Study Break, where students get face time with dogs in the Clark Family Library.

At the start of every fall semester, the Division of Student Life hosts the Involvement Expo, featuring many student clubs and organizations on campus such as the Latinx Cultural Association. New students can chat with the current members of those groups and find ways to get involved at W&J.

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CAMPUS SPEAKERS // Fall 2019

RABBI'S PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON ELIMINATING "H" SPEECH

IMMIGRATION ACTIVIST AND ALUMNUS SPEAKS AT W&J COLLEGE

When Jeffrey S. Myers, Rabbi and Hazzan of Tree of Life* Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pa., spoke at W&J Sept. 3, his message was clear: eliminate “H” speech, work to understand each other, and have hope.

Presbyterian minister Rev. John Fife ’62, an activist and advocate for the humane treatment of immigrants and border security policy reform, returned to campus Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

“H” speech is the term the Rabbi uses when he discusses his mission to eliminate the word “hate” from public conversation.

He told the audience at Olin Fine Arts Center that it is up to each of us – not our elected leaders – to change our speech and educate others.

“My mission is this: eliminate ‘H’ speech,” he said. “We must think about our choice of words before they come out of our mouths, and that is difficult. If you think about how frequently you can use the ‘H’ word during the day, you will discover that it takes a conscious effort. I encourage everyone who is listening to take up the pledge that I made…call it the ‘H’ word and teach someone why you no longer use it.”

Rabbi Myers spoke to a group primarily made up of students, following his presentation with an engaging question-and-answer session. During the evening, the College also awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

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His talk, “Border Security: Testing Our Basic Values,” focused on how border security policy and its implementation challenge societal values.

For the past two years, W&J students have worked with Rev. Fife through Associate Professor of Biology Jason Kilgore’s JayTerm course, Engaging the Sonoran Border, which takes students to Arizona to study border policy from every angle.

“Rev. Fife is a staunch human rights advocate, and he actively supports humanitarian efforts for those seeking refuge,” Kilgore said. “This was an opportunity for our students to learn from his work and engage in an important national discussion.”

In the 1980s, Rev. Fife co-founded the Sanctuary Movement in which more than 500 churches and synagogues provided public protection of Central American refugees fleeing violence in their home countries. In the following decade, Rev. Fife co-founded Tucson Samaritans | Los Samaritanos and No Más Muertes | No More Deaths to provide humanitarian aid and document effects of border security policies at the Mexico-U.S. borderlands.

PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR SHERI FINK VISITS CAMPUS AS MAXWELL SCHOLAR Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Sheri Fink spoke at W&J Oct. 21.

Her talk, “Five Days at Memorial: Triage, Medical Ethics, and the Law in Disasters,” focused on the topic of her New York Times bestselling book, "Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital."

Fink’s book examines the choices made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as medical personnel cared for patients while working with failing and limited resources.

Her reporting on the issue started national conversations about what constitutes an ethical response during disaster scenarios.

“I knew right away that I wanted to bring her to W&J because of our strong pre-health and pre-law programs and her focus on ethical issues,” said Professor of English Jennifer Harding, Ph.D., who heard Fink speak at a conference.

Fink is a correspondent at the New York Times, where her and her colleagues’ stories on the West Africa Ebola crisis were recognized with the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. Her story “The Deadly Choices at Memorial” received a 2010 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Her visit was sponsored by the J. Robert Maxwell ’43 Visiting Scholar Series.

NEWS

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS // Conferences and Presentations Professor of Political Science and International Studies Zheya Gai, Ph.D., gave several lectures and presentations this year.

Dr. Gai presented “The Belt and Road Initiative and China’s Worldview in the 21st Century,” at the International Studies Association annual conference in Toronto, Canada, in March.

In April, she gave a lecture, “Decoding the US-China Trade War: It is about more than trade,” via web stream at St. Norbert College. She was invited to give a lecture, “Decoding the US-China trade war,” at China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, China, in May. Dr. Gai has served as director of the ASIANetwork Freeman Student-Faculty Fellows program since 2014.

The program provides grants to student-faculty teams from U.S. colleges to conduct summer projects in Asia.

Professor of Biology Alice Lee, Ph.D., took her "Music of Life" FYS class to hear her play on the South Hills Multi-Organist recital Oct. 20, 2019, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Dr. Lee played two Bach chorale preludes: O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (BWV 622); and In dir is Freude (BWV 615). The other organists were organists in South Hills churches and at Trinity Cathedral.

Dr. Lee is the organist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Canonsburg.

Professor of Computing & Information Studies Charles Hannon, Ph.D., gave a talk at the Midwest User Experience Conference in October. His presentation was titled “Avoiding Bias in Voice User Interfaces,” and focused on how interaction designers can avoid replicating the subtle biases that exist in everyday human language as they develop Voice User Interfaces.

He noted that over time, the extent to which designers can de-bias robot speech may contribute to human language becoming less biased as well.

Director of Assessment and Institutional Research Lindsey Graham Guinn gave the keynote address at the Assessment Network of New York (ANNY) in October. Her talk, “No Pain, No Drama, More Impact: Effective Administrative Assessment,” offered practical tips and solutions to enhance administrative assessment on college campuses, recommended a process model on assessment for administrative offices that focuses on training and continuous feedback, and shared strategies on how to work with, engage, and educate staff.

Guinn also recently worked with a faculty member at Juniata College to give a half-day workshop titled “General Education Assessment from A to Z” at the IUPUI Assessment Institute, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious assessment conference.

W&J welcomed First Year students to the College in its annual Matriculation Ceremony Aug. 24. Members of the incoming class are from 212 secondary schools across 25 states, one U.S. territory, and 14 countries outside of the United States and have held a remarkable array of leadership positions as team captains, class presidents, valedictorians, volunteers, and organization presidents.

“Today is one of the two brightest days on the College calendar. The other is Commencement. Both are about new beginnings and limitless possibilities,” said President John C. Knapp, Ph.D.

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NEWS

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS // Conferences and Presentations During the summer of 2019, Associate Professor of Music Kyle Simpson, D.M.A., was one of 12 composers internationally invited to participate in the Fusion Film Scoring Workshop in Thessaloniki, Greece. There, he wrote the score for a short film that featured a live performance of a chamber ensemble. The organizers invited three composers, including Simpson, to return in November to present their work and meet filmmakers and directors as part of the International Film Festival in Thessaloniki.

Director of Olin Fine Art Gallery Doug McGlumphy ’87, M.F.A., exhibited a one-person exhibition of his sculpture titled monumental at the College of Wooster Art Museum, Wooster, Ohio, earlier this year. The exhibition's content explores the nation's current political climate. The introduction was written by Professor of Art John Lambertson, Ph.D., chair of the art department.

McGlumphy’s art practice and research, in part, deals with materiality and the preservation of historic architecture components. In addition to preserving salvaged materials in his sculpture, he has also preserved historic houses that are on, or have been moved to, his 280-acre family farm in Stone Creek, Ohio, where the family operates Hisrich Hills House B&B and ArtFarm. The connection between the farm, historic materials, rural culture, and politics are evident in monumental.

In addition, Simpson and his chamber orchestra performed live at Mary Flagler Cary Hall in New York City in November.

The orchestra performed newly composed film scores live to George Méliès’ two most famous French silent films A Trip to The Moon (1902) and The Kingdom of Fairies (1903). The group will repeat the performance at the Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie, Pa., as a part of the artist series at the Carnegie Free Library Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Professor of Music Mark Swift, Ph.D., will perform with the orchestra on piano.

More information is available at kylesimpsonmusic.com.

Professor of English Linda Troost, Ph.D., and Sayre Greenfield, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, discussed the history of Pride and Prejudice adaptations at a Jane Austen festival in December. The festival was organized by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Webster University, and the Jane Austen Society of North America's St. Louis region, and was held on the Webster University campus.

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS // Publications Under the direction of Associate Professor of Modern Languages Amparo Alpañés, Ph.D., students enrolled in Spanish 457.01—a course about the Spanish detective novel—are writing their own detective novel in Spanish entitled El veneno familiar (The Family's Poison). The book will have eight chapters when completed, and will be published independently online. The student-writers are: Ryan DeMayo ’20, Gabriella Faddool ’20, Alessandro Martin ’20, Seaghan McBride ’20, Maitri Patel ’20, Laurel Sipe ’20, Taylor Smydo ’20, and Adrian Vera ’22. W&J student artists submitted designs for the cover of the book; the group selected two to represent the bilingual nature of the online edition.

Designs submitted by student artists Jessica Perri ’23 (left) and Kole Morton ’23 will be published with the online edition.

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FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS // Research with Students Research experiences make great opportunities for W&J students to travel to national conferences to present their work. Vanesa Hyde ’22 (Neuroscience and English) and Halea Kohl ’20 (Neuroscience) joined Ana Morales ’19 (Neuroscience) to present work from their on-campus research projects with Assistant Professor of Biology Kelly Lohr, Ph.D., and Professor of Biology Ron Bayline, Ph.D., at the 50th annual Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago in October. The W&J groups presented in two poster sessions, met new research collaborators, and heard scientific talks from some of the most highly regarded neuroscientists in the world. Their presentations were titled: "Identification and expression of glutamate receptors genes in innervated and uninnervated regions of the ventral diaphragm muscle of the moth Manduca sexta" A. MORALES BENITEZ, K. M. YATSKO, R. J. BAYLINE "Microbiome manipulation modifies tau-mediated neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster" H. KOHL, V. HYDE, *K. M. LOHR

Abandoned Tracks: The Underground Railroad in Washington County, Pennsylvania (University of Notre Dame Press, 2018), authored by Professor of History Thomas Mainwaring, Ph.D., received the INDIES 2018 Silver Book of the Year Award for Multicultural Studies. The book strives to separate the truth from the rumors surrounding the Underground Railroad in Washington County.

Professors of Computing and Information Studies Sam Fee, Ph.D., and Amanda Holland-Minkley, Ph.D., with Thomas Lombardi, D.P.S., a former W&J professor who now teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, coauthored two publications in the fall of 2019 reporting on their academic instruction and using W&J’s CIS curriculum as a case study. They have been researching the ways in which active learning and project-based learning are well aligned with interdisciplinary computing education, noting that both of these techniques work together to improve student learning and also broaden participation in computing. The papers appeared in ACM Inroads and Issues in Information Systems, both peer reviewed publications.

This work came directly from the work the three did editing a book, "New Directions for Computing Education: Embedding Computing Across the Curriculum," which was published

by Springer in 2017. The book presents a case for the future of computing education at the undergraduate level and why interdisciplinary computing should be at its core.

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PrezTech Challenge showcases student work Ten faculty-student-staff collaborative teams spent the semester working on projects that showcase innovative uses of educational technology and/or information literacy in the classroom. The teams came together in Clark Family Library Dec. 5 to show off their projects and compete for the title of PrezTech Challenge Winner.

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Stevie Berberick’s COM 391: Audio/ Radio/Podcast class took first prize for their podcast series The Cultural Edge. The show features student co-hosts that debate hot-button issues facing America today.

The students familiarized themselves with editing software and recording hardware and recorded and produced the podcast on their own.

Other projects entered in the challenge included Exploring Folklore through Podcasting; Digital Storytelling and Holocaust Remembrance; Communicating Science to the Public; Reading Poetry in the Digital Age; Conflict And Resolution Studies CRS 101 Website by Its Students; Trolley Problem Three Ways: Argument Maps, Interactive Self-Driving Car Scenarios, and More; Re-Creating the Past: History of W&J in Photographs; Transforming Environmental Data Into Music; and Programming Without Programming: An Approach to

Enhance Students’ Engagement and to Acquire Computer Programming Skills Through Algorithm Development.

Learn more about the challenge and these projects at libguides.washjeff.edu/preztech

Students in Professor Emeritus and Director of the Conflict and Resolution Studies Program Richard Easton's CRS 101 Class were one of the entrants in the PrezTech Challenge.

W&J Students, Professors Bring Classroom to Main Street for STEM Fest W&J students and professors brought their classrooms to Washington’s Main Street in September for STEM Fest, an interactive, science-based festival for Washington County students in kindergarten through high school.

Professors from the chemistry, biology, and physics departments, as well as students from W&J’s Society of Physics and the Biology Club conducted workshops ranging from nature photography to the chemistry of bath bombs.

Physics students and faculty, including Associate Professors of Physics Michael McCracken '04, Ph.D., and Cory Christenson, Ph.D., demonstrated diffraction glasses and discharge tubes, mini catapults, liquid nitrogen, and giant bubbles.

The most explosive booth was Bath Bomb Chemistry, where students proved there’s more to bathtub “fizzies” than their fragrant smell and fun appearance. Students got to make their own bath bombs and measure the effect of temperature on how long it fizzled.

“The outreach we do with local school children is one of my favorite aspects of my job. Their energy is limitless and contagious,” said Associate Professor of Biology Jamie March, Ph.D. Visitors to March’s booth, Connecting to Nature Through Photography, tested their knowledge of local biodiversity using pictures of local flora and fauna and joined an Urban Ecology Photographic Scavenger Hunt.

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Washington County elementary and middle school students experiment with Bath Bomb Chemistry at the W&J booth at STEM Fest in September.

A Plan for

success “Every W&J graduate will not only be exceptionally well prepared for professional success, but also recognized as a leader committed to the highest standards of ethics and capable of addressing complex challenges facing today’s organizations and society.”

– President John C. Knapp, Ph.D.

This promise is at the heart of the College’s new strategic plan, Juncta Juvant, designed to strengthen the four-year W&J experience by equipping all students with distinctive qualities that are highly valued by today’s leading employers and graduate schools.

Over a recent 18-month period, the Washington & Jefferson College community worked collaboratively to develop strategies to ensure that the College continues to be at the forefront of liberal arts education at a time of changing demographics, increasing competition for students, and greater public skepticism about the value of higher education. The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees in October and work is well under way to implement new curricular and cocurricular initiatives.

The planning process involved study groups, surveys of multiple College constituencies, open campus feedback sessions, an exhaustive self-study, and an extensive market analysis conducted by the Art & Science Group, LLC, a leading research firm serving higher education. The work aimed to significantly enhance and further differentiate the W&J experience at a time when small, residential, undergraduate colleges face a long-term decline in the number of 18-year-olds in America, as well as greater pressures to ensure post-graduate outcomes.

“Our new strategic direction establishes a comprehensive approach to continuous improvement for greater success in attracting, retaining, and graduating talented students who will be leaders in their careers and communities,” Knapp said. “This plan also recognizes that in order for our students to realize their full potential, we must do more to fully support the success of all members of the W&J community, including our faculty, staff, and alumni.”

Significantly, the work has begun on campus renewal, including beautifully renovated residence halls and the gymnasium, a state-of-the art fitness center, and a new outdoor amphitheater. The College has also adopted a more participatory decision-making process and greatly improved marketing and communications, including a new website.

These and other initiatives are based on three foundational commitments: WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE

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COMMITMENT I

COMMITMENT II

“Every student will achieve professional readiness and prepare for a fulfilling life through an innovative four-year learning experience, guided by outstanding teaching, holistic advising and mentoring, and ethical leadership development.”

“We will cultivate and nurture the active participation of community members in decision-making to ensure the success of the College.”

Faculty are at work developing a curricular approach to ensure that every student’s personalized program of study provides a balance of professional preparation and broader intellectual challenge. Another cross-functional team is developing a plan to integrate academic advising with professional/career planning beginning at matriculation and continuing until graduation.

A new Center for Leadership and Ethics will serve as the hub of an interdisciplinary program to provide all students with four years of leadership development in areas like conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving, and professional ethics, among others.

The College is also exploring new opportunities to claim the advantages of Pittsburgh for our students. These could include strategic partnerships and other ways to enhance W&J’s presence in the city to support internships, career development, alumni engagement, and the academic program.

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The strategic planning process was a highly collaborative method of decision-making involving faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees. For example, six subcommittees involved more than 90 volunteers who studied issues and produced white papers.

By learning together and considering a wide range of ideas and perspectives, the College community became better informed and developed consensus on future priorities.

New initiatives are being designed to continue this approach to shared governance. One example of this is a college-wide budget committee to provide transparency and informed input on the allocation of resources. This committee includes faculty, administrators, staff, and students.

COMMITMENT III “We will foster a supportive, diverse culture where all members of the community are valued, included, and able to realize their full potential.�

We recognize that we must strive to become a more welcoming and visibly diverse community every year, increasingly reflecting the demographics of the region and nation. The College recently welcomed a new class of freshmen comprising more racial and ethnic diversity than ever before. This is not surprising since the under-18 population in America is now a majority-minority population, where members of traditionally under-represented groups outnumber the historically Caucasian majority. The diversity of the college-going population will continue to increase year after year, and new efforts are planned to ensure that W&J is prepared to serve all population groups equally well.

Ensuring the success of our students also means providing greater financial assistance. At a time when the number of first-generation college students is increasing and families are less likely to have college savings, W&J must work to increase endowed resources to support financial aid and scholarships.

Future issues of this magazine will report in greater detail on these strategic initiatives as they develop.

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VPs with A VISION Vice President of Academic Affairs Jeff Frick

and Vice President of Business and Finance Jim Irwin help steer W&J toward a bright future with new strategic plan Spring is bringing changes to campus that give Presidents a lot to be excited about.

With two leadership positions filled in Summer 2019 and a strategic plan approved in Fall 2019, the College is positioned to move into 2020 with momentum.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Jeffery Frick, Ph.D., and Vice President of Business and Finance and CFO Jim Irwin, CPA, came to W&J because of the promise they saw in an institution with a rich history and a bright future.

Even before they officially assumed their positions, these leaders engaged with the culture of W&J, jumping directly into the strategic planning process already in progress.

“I had the opportunity to interact with people from the campus in a more significant way before I arrived on campus because I was involved in the planning process early on,” Frick said.

Both men come to the College from institutions far from Pennsylvania, with Frick hailing from the Midwest and Irwin coming from California. What attracted them to W&J was a campus community that cares about student success and is eager to explore institutional innovation.

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“I was impressed by a faculty and staff who are very dedicated to the institution and have a real interest in thinking about how we can advance the College for the good of our students,” Frick said. “There are many institutions which are not interested in changing to meet the needs of changing demographics and changing times. I feel like at W&J there’s a true readiness for that change.”

‘‘’’

I was impressed by a faculty and staff who are very dedicated to the institution and have a real interest in thinking about how we can advance the College for the good of our students.

Jeff Frick, Ph.D.

In particular, the strong vision for W&J’s future is exciting for the new VPs. “The vision statement appeals to me because although W&J is an institution with a rich tradition it also has its eye on the future,” Irwin said.

Summer renovations of three Presidents Row residence halls, the revamping of Henry Memorial Center with the upgraded Salvitti Family Gymnasium and Eaton Fitness Center, and the addition of an amphitheater outside of the Technology Center meant that Irwin joined a team with many capital projects well underway.

He was able to see the projects through to completion while managing timelines and budgets and being involved in the weekly construction meetings.

“The President and Board of Trustees are committed to meeting the needs of current and prospective students. The capital projects completed over the summer provided the opportunity to significantly invest in campus facilities. The W&J community watched the transformation and now appreciate the vibrant campus.

There’s excitement in the air based on what we have accomplished.”

Irwin’s job is to make sure this vision comes to life, and he’s ready to do so by contributing his expertise across the areas of facilities, budgeting, and college processes. The VP of Business and Finance brings a wide range of experience to his role, including time spent working directly with students as an adjunct business faculty member at the University of La Verne.

“I am really glad to be back at a liberal arts undergraduate college. I can sense the excitement with the students on campus, and it’s a wonderful vibe to be around,” Irwin said.

Frick has been fully steeped in the culture of liberal arts undergraduate colleges since his time as an undergraduate student, and he knows today’s students are looking for more.

“I really like being at a place that values the liberal arts foundation along with career preparation. If you look at what employers say they want, they want what a liberal arts education provides,” Frick said.

Those skills include effective communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership, and Frick is committed to working with faculty through the shared governance procedures to enhance the curriculum and co-curriculum so students come away with a consistent experience across disciplines. A survey completed by the Art & Science Group, LLC, as part of the strategic planning process highlighted key factors important to today’s students that will inform changes to the curriculum.

“We didn’t get a recommendation from the Art & Science Group to do something completely different than we are doing. We’re really able to build on our strengths,” Frick said.

Vice President of Business and Finance and CFO Jim Irwin joined the College from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif.

Keeping these strengths in mind will ensure the College’s dedication to its core values as it adapts to the changes and challenges of today’s higher education environment. With administrators like Irwin and Frick in place, future generations of students will continue the tradition of alumni pride in W&J. Irwin was the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration at Claremont Graduate University before coming to W&J. He previously worked at the University of La Verne, LA Fitness International, LLC, and KPMG. Irwin holds a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of California, Riverside, and is a licensed CPA. Frick was most recently at St. Norbert College as Dean of the College and Academic Vice President and previously held leadership roles at Illinois Wesleyan University. Frick holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Augustana College.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Jeff Frick, Ph.D., came to W&J from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE

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Students dig into a pizza in the common area of Beau Hall.

Representatives of the Active Minds club speak during the club spotlight at the December SGA meeting.

When the Student Government Association’s (SGA) executive board gather in their office on the second floor of Rossin Campus Center, there’s a lot to discuss.

The young men and women in this room have learned how to balance academics, work, and social life at W&J—and when it’s possible, to have crossover between the three. While these students are exceptional people, they are not an exception here at W&J; they’re the norm.

In addition to their duties as officers in the College’s highest-ranking student organization, these students are campus thought leaders, academic achievers, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, and above all, W&J Presidents.

What does that mean in 2020? Quite a bit.

“This is a special time to be at W&J, and I think that in large part is on account of our student organizations,” said Jess Skobel ’20, President of SGA. “We have a very large group of very active and campus-contributive organizations who create an awesome opportunity to be involved and find a place to belong.”

Student Activities Board members hosted Big Bingo in September.

Whether it’s the Latin Cultural Association hosting Celebración to share their traditions with campus, Student Activities Board hosting their popular Big Bingo event with fabulous prizes or anything in between, these students are creating the college experience they want to have, and having a good time doing it.

From their houses on Chestnut Street, W&J’s Greek organizations plan and host events that encompass all of campus, including popular philanthropy gatherings like Arrowbands, which features student performances and raises money for the literacy organization Read>Lead>Achieve, and Anchor Splash, an event composed of student performances and swimming-themed competitions collecting funds for Service for Sight.

Panhellenic Council executive board member and Pi Beta Phi sister Fontana Micucci ’21 is a big advocate for the work that Greek-affiliated students do on campus.

“My first semester here, I didn’t think I was going to be involved in Greek life,’” she said. “But then I saw a couple of my friends go through the process and how much it could do for women on campus. We want to be the people that people look up to."

SGA President Jess Skobel ’20 welcomed freshmen during the Matriculation Ceremony in August.

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“I love to see myself and everyone else grow in it. I think we’re out of that phase where people see it as something that is secret or exclusive,” she added. “No matter if you’re affiliated or not, people just want to hang out with each other and they want to be together.”

As Alpha Tau Omega President and SGA treasurer River Icenhour ’20 said, "W&J is a microcosm of the larger world off-campus. Students here have formed a community, and work together to make that community a place in which they all can thrive no matter their background or interests."

“This is a residential campus,” Icenhour said. “We live here for four years, so this is

like our town. If you feel like change needs to be made in the place where you live... you make that change, and that’s what we’re doing.”

getting them involved in giving back,” Knit Wits Co-President Savannah Warner ’20 said. “The results were more than we could have ever expected.”

A large part of that campus development is helping others. It’s a trait you’ll see in many clubs and organizations at W&J, and even in places you may not expect.

Through two Knit-a-Thons, 90 participants crafted about 300 baby hats to donate to three area hospitals. And that’s just one example of the power of community engagement at W&J. Students are regularly volunteering with children at the LeMoyne Center and through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, spearheading book drives and literacy campaigns, collecting toys for organizations like Toys for Tots, and finding a host of other ways to get involved.

With a vision of sharing their passion for knitting with a new generation of crafters, the recently-established W&J Knit Wits created the Knit-A-Thon. The club invited knitters of any skill level to join them in crafting baby hats to donate to local hospitals’ maternity wards.

“The Knit-a-Thon showed the campus how easy it is to be a part of Knit Wits while

Their philanthropic focus doesn’t mean they sacrifice fun, though. The students will tell you there is a vibrant social life on campus, and they enjoy a wide variety of both school-sanctioned and privately organized events, even when organizing those events is hard work.

“We’re happy in what we do here. I don’t think we would continue to put in this much work and take this much time out of our daily lives if we didn’t get something back from it,” Skobel said.

And while the students are finding and creating opportunities for themselves, the College is on hand to help enhance their experience.

Commonsgiving is a favorite student tradition, taking place the week before Thanksgiving. Dining Services prepares a special meal featuring all the hallmarks of a traditional holiday feast.

Upperclassmen on the Move-In Crew are on hand to help freshmen get settled when they arrive at W&J.

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“Our student life experience is evolving,” SGA Vice President Halie Hess ’21 said.

“I’ve been on the residence life staff (as an RA) for two years, and just in the span of a year, we’ve increased our programming and are directing it more toward a better first year experience and carrying that through to a better upperclassmen experience, too."

The College provides ample opportunities for entertainment both on and off-campus.

With Feel Good Fridays featuring giveaways from staff members every week, the Pittsburgh Pipeline shuttling students into the city every Saturday, and annual traditions such as Commonsgiving, Finals Week Stress Busters, and more, the staff is dedicated to creating memories students will look back on fondly long after their time at W&J.

Recent alum continues tradition of giving beyond W&J

Savan Saman Hussein ’23 takes a selfie with her group of friends on McMillan Lawn after the Matriculation Ceremony in August.

Thanks to generous donations and a strategic plan with a focus on campus expansion, that student experience now includes new spaces for students to gather and connect, including the amphitheater outside of the Tech Center, renovated residence halls with expanded common areas, and a brand-new commuter student lounge.

‘‘’’

When I arrived at W&J, I never felt like there was something I couldn’t do.

Remy LeGrand ’22

All of these factors work together to create an atmosphere of opportunity that French international student and SGA parliamentarian Remy LeGrand ’22 sums up best.

“When I arrived at W&J, I never felt like there was something I couldn’t do,” he said. “I’ve seen so many things happen on campus that I thought were just amazing. I know I can do it and there’s nothing to stop me if I try.”

Wes Preston ’19 graduated in May, and immediately continued his dedication to public service as a fellow in the Pittsburgh-based philanthropic organization PULSE. For his one year fellowship, he was placed with Hilltop Alliance as a communications coordinator aiding in the economic development and revitalization of the low-income Pittsburgh neighborhood of Allentown.

During his time at W&J, Preston was highly involved on campus as a brother in Beta Theta Pi and a founding member of the Advocates for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP). Through both organizations, he learned the power of community engagement.

Of his many fond memories at W&J, a stand-out is his experience at Arrowbands in 2016 where he and his Beta brothers performed a Blink-182 song.

“It was just a goofy thing, but it was so much fun and we were raising money for a good cause,” he said.

He’s already giving back to W&J as an alumnus by coming back to campus as a liaison for PULSE, working to provide opportunities for current W&J students.

Being an active part of the community comes second nature to Preston, and it’s a trait he developed at W&J. “The College helped me to truly be in a state of mind that I want to grow, I want to serve, and I want to practice what I preach,” Preston said. “W&J is a leader in creating community servants.”

So, what does it mean to be a W&J President in 2020?

Anything you want.

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FEATURE

STRONG Brittany Anderton ’09 films an instructional video for iBiology.

Faculty support earns W&J recognition as top producer of Shauna Darby Piedrahita ’95, Ph.D., has a framed picture of Lazear Chemistry Hall on the wall of her office at Applied Research Associates, Inc. in Alexandria, Va. When she first walked into Lazear as a W&J freshman, she never imaged it would lead to her career as a principal chemist and member of the board of directors for ARA, focusing on chemical/biological defense and Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction research.

For Piedrahita – and so many other women – a W&J science class was the first step toward a rewarding career.

For the College, those classes continued a tradition that recently earned a prominent recognition.

In a report released during the summer of 2019, The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) recognized W&J as a notable producer of women graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in STEM fields.

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Jeffrey A. Frick, Ph.D., said it’s an honor for the College to be recognized in this way, and that the report is an indicator not only of the strength of W&J’s academic programs, but of the dedication of the faculty to their students.

“There is a real longevity in the tenure of faculty at this institution, and that allows our students to build long-term relationships with their mentors,” he said.

“We’re providing a strong foundation for our students to grow from and supporting them as they grow both academically and personally. This report is a great indicator of what we’re doing right.”

The CIC released its original report, "Strengthening the STEM Pipeline: The Contributions of Small and Mid-Sized Independent Colleges," in 2014, examining the crucial role these institutions play in preparing students for success. The

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2019 report expands on that research by considering how these institutions prepare students historically underrepresented in STEM—specifically women, black graduates, and Latino/a graduates—for obtaining advanced degrees and research opportunities.

Data for the CIC report was collected between 2007 and 2016, and institutions were ranked by the number of women STEM doctorate recipients per 100 bachelor’s degrees awarded to women in STEM fields nine years earlier. Only institutions from which at least 25 baccalaureate recipients received STEM doctorate degrees between 2007 and 2016 were included in the analysis.

W&J ranks in the top 100 baccalaureateorigin institutions that produced women graduates who went on to earn doctorates in STEM overall, as well as specifically in the biological sciences, chemistry, life sciences, and physical sciences. The report ranks the College at #4 for women chemistry doctorate recipients.

So what makes W&J so successful in this area? Just ask the women who are successful because of it.

Brittany Anderton ’09, Ph.D., cited the personal attention she received from professors, and internships she found

Ashley Smith ’11 reviews material with her inorganic chemistry class at W&J .

Anna Jozwick ’08 works with students in a lab at Goucher College.

women with doctorates in STEM fields with help from Professor of Biology Candy DeBerry, Ph.D., for setting her on the path to a Ph.D. Anderton is now the associate director of research talks at iBiology, a science communication non-profit based in San Francisco, where she assists with video production, develops educational resources, and leads the Young Scientist Seminar series.

science to new generations.

“I really enjoy watching my students work and grow and be excited by science,” Kormuth said. “It helps me realize my connection with my own professors at W&J. I hope I can emulate that even a little bit.”

Smith, who returned to W&J to serve for two years as the visiting assistant professor of chemistry, is proud to call her former professors colleagues and enjoys working with them to pay forward the support she received as a student.

Alumni mentorship made an impact on Gina Sizemore ’03, Ph.D., who earned her Ph.D. in pharmacology from Case Western Reserve University “I get to work one on one I really enjoy watching with students, which and is now an assistant professor my students work and makes every day more in the Department of grow and be excited exciting and much more Radiation Oncology fun,” she said. “Now I can at The Ohio State by science. tell my students, ‘I got University. Sizemore through it. You can get Karen Kormuth ’10, Ph.D. interned with through it, too.’”

Dennis Slamon ’70, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the division of Although Smith’s faculty role at W&J ends Hematology-Oncology at UCLA, who she this spring, she plans to remain connected cites as a mentor throughout her career. to the College as an alumna – as have other alumnae, who return to campus to offer And now, many of those same women programs and guest lectures. are paying it forward, sharing a passion for science with new generations. Karen And like many others, Piedrahita Kormuth ’10, Ph.D., Anna Jozwick ’08, remembers the excitement she felt as she Ph.D., and Ashley Smith ’11, Ph.D., have fostered her passion for chemistry in Lazear all become college professors themselves, Chemistry Hall. The photo on her wall is a passing their knowledge and passion for fitting, if small, tribute to the roots of her career, and a reminder that she’ll always have a home at W&J.

‘‘’’

Shauna Darby Piedrahita ’95

Karen Kormuth ’10

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Breakthrough Season:

PERSISTENCE HELPS

EARN FIRST PAC TITLE When Chris Faulk ’10 took the reins of the women’s tennis team in 2012, he had a vision for the program: to win a Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship.

Faulk knew it would take a lot of work and teambuilding to achieve his goal; the team he inherited finished tied for last place at the conference championship two years prior.

In Faulk’s eighth season with the team, the Presidents claimed their first-ever PAC Championship, earning two comeback victories to claim the crown. The Presidents downed Westminster College in the semifinals Oct. 25 before rallying past perennial champion Grove City College in the championship match Oct. 26.

“It took longer than I thought it was going to,” Faulk said. “There were a few times in the past five years that I thought we would have a chance to win the conference tournament. Grove City and Westminster maintained a high level of play at the top.”

One of those close calls came in the fall of 2018 as the team entered the championship ranked the No. 2 seed facing No. 3 Westminster, though the Presidents fell short in their quest for a conference title.

The loss became a motivating factor for the 2019 team. Despite graduating one of their top players, the returning Presidents made it their preseason goal to avenge that loss and win the PAC.

Following a terrific freshman season, Isabella Goldman ’23 was voted PAC Newcomer of the Year.

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Led by an experienced senior class (Megan Berard ’20, Jade Annaldo ’20, and Caitlin Shellhamer ’20), the Presidents bounced back from a difficult 2-5 start to win their

Maya Krishnasamy ’22 captured her second straight PAC Player of the Year award this fall.

final six matches of the regular season.

“I think those early matches were learning experiences for us,” Berard said. “We had opponents that could really play. That improved our ability, our skills, and our in-game strategy.”

After coasting past Bethany in this year’s quarterfinals for a seventh straight win, the Presidents had the rematch with Westminster that they had waited 371 days for.

Though they fell behind early in the match, each of the three seniors picked up critical victories in singles play to lift W&J into the championship match.

“Our team was so mentally strong this year,” Shellhamer said. “We went through a lot of tough matches. Even after losing to Grove City in the regular season, we knew we would see them again in the PAC Tournament.”

A straight set singles win by Shellhamer clinched a 5-3 victory for W&J in the championship match. The win gave the

This past fall, the W&J women’s tennis team claimed its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference title in school history with a 5-3 win over Grove City College.

Presidents their first PAC title and their second-ever victory over Grove City.

Faulk credits past players for their work to push the program from the bottom to the top of the conference. One of the first players to buy into Faulk’s vision for the program was Courtney Brennan ’16.

‘‘’’

As the program continued to build, Faulk saw the value of relishing the smaller successes. Those included Rachel Johnson ’19 winning the No. 3 singles title in 2015, becoming the first W&J female to win a PAC singles title since 1993. Another milestone was the team’s first win over Grove City in 2016.

Our team was so mentally Maya Krishnasamy ’22, “Courtney helped who was named W&J's strong this year. change the dynamic first PAC Player of the Year of the program,” Caitlin Shellhamer ’20 last season as a freshman, Faulk said. “I still see continued to excel during her the effects of what she did from five or six sophomore campaign. The Ventura, Calif., years ago today. She got her teammates native been a driving to train harder, be more committed and force behind the work harder on and off the court. I can see Presidents leap to the that type of leadership this year with our top of the conference. captains (Berard and Shellhammer).”

Krishnasamy put Brennan was able to help Faulk recruit four key freshmen, Grace McCarthy ’17, Brianna Morrison ’17, Kelly Capone ’17, and Megan Yocabet ’17, who helped continue the program’s rise.

“It was a joy to watch that final win come in and see their hard work pay off,” Brennan said. “Their success demonstrates that the standard of play is constantly being raised within the program. Winning the PAC Championship was always our goal and it shows the dedication Coach Faulk has put into this program.”

going in. I think that was a huge advantage for us and helped us relax a little bit.”

Helping to cope with the loss of Johnson was Isabella Goldman ’23, who responded to Johnson’s legacy as the No. 2 singles spot and as Krishnasamy’s doubles partner in the No. 1 seed by rising to the challenge in both spots and earning the title of PAC Newcomer of the Year.

With a PAC Championship in hand, the Presidents will make their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament this May.

together a perfect 14-0 singles record this fall against Division III opponents.

“It was a big redemption year for us. It was tough losing Rachel (Johnson),” Krishnasamy said. “Our loss to Westminster last year — that really pushed us to be better this year. We felt like we were the underdogs

Megan Berard ’20 was one of three seniors that came through during crunch time for the Presidents.

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2019 Fall Sports Roundup FOOTBALL The football team finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 6-3 mark in Presidents’ Athletic Conference wins. That allowed the Presidents to clinch their 36th consecutive winning season, a streak that dates back to 1983.

With back-to-back wins to finish the season, the Presidents were selected for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) postseason. This marked the 30th postseason appearance in program history and the 15th time in 17 seasons that the Presidents did so under Head Coach Mike Sirianni.

W&J erased a 17-point third quarter deficit in a 20-17 comeback victory over host Ithaca College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Asa S. Bushnell Bowl Nov. 23.

The game-deciding touchdown came on a 50-yard interception return by cornerback Delonta Nunnally ’22 with 6:42 to play.

Mike Williams ’20 was named Most Valuable Player, as the defensive lineman recorded six tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and his first career interception.

The Presidents opened the season with a 16-8 win over perennial national power Wittenberg in the season opener. W&J also earned a solid 38-21 road win at Grove City Sept. 28. W&J went on to pick up their 750th victory in program history with a 42-10 win against Saint Vincent Nov. 9 at Cameron Stadium.

Quarterback Jacob Adams ’20, running back Jordan West ’20, and linebacker Sean Doran ’21 were listed on the All-PAC Second Team.

women’s cross country finish at PACs since 2012. She was the top President finisher in all six meets and represented W&J at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional.

Linebacker Nick Getz ’20, defensive lineman Keith Knowell ’21, wide receiver Payton Skalos ’21, center Connor Walsh ’21, punter Jacob Sarver ’22, and defensive lineman Alex Keith ’22 all earned honorable mentions.

FIELD HOCKEY A six-game winning streak that included five shutouts highlighted an 8-8 season for the W&J field hockey squad. The Presidents knocked off Denison, the eventual North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) champion, in an early-season Friday night matchup Sept. 6 at Cameron Stadium.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Four runners finished in the top ten and the Presidents finished second overall at the PAC Championship meet in November. Damon Gall ’22 was the top W&J finisher at PACs, coming in at fourth overall to claim a spot on the All-PAC First Team. Paul Collier ’23 was named PAC Newcomer of the Year and joined Gall as an All-PAC First Team selection with a sixth-place finish.

Parker Laughlin ’21 and Aden Dressler ’23 finished ninth and tenth at the PAC Championships to earn All-PAC Second Team recognition. Ben Heim ’21 earned All-PAC Honorable Mention laurels.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Faith Remich ’22 earned All-PAC Second Team honors after a 12th place finish at the PAC Cross County Championship meet at Westminster. It was W&J’s best individual

Defender Reghan Dunn ’21 and midfielder Sofiya Bobrovnikova ’21 were named All-Empire 8 Second Team and freshman Lindsey Diggan ’23 earned All-E8 Honorable Mention applause after leading the Presidents with five goals.

MEN’S WATER POLO The men’s water polo team ended its season on a high note, winning its final two games to finish fifth at the Mid Atlantic Water Polo Conference Championships. Will Kitsch ’22 was named to the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference - West Region Second Team.

The Presidents picked up a Senior Day victory over Austin and defeated Monmouth in Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference play. The 2019 season marked the 20th year of men’s water polo as a varsity sport at W&J.

For their efforts during the season, 12 student-athletes were recognized with All-PAC accolades.

Williams, defensive back Max Garda ’21, and defensive back/return specialist Joey Koroly ’22 received First Team All-PAC honors.

Will Kitsch ’22 was once again the top offensive threat for the Presidents, as the sophomore was named Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference - West Region Second Team.

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VOLLEYBALL The volleyball team recorded PAC wins over Saint Vincent, Chatham, and Waynesburg during the 2019 season. The Presidents opened the newly-renovated Salvitti Family Gymnasium with a 3-0 sweep of Waynesburg Sept. 26. W&J suffered a tough 3-2 setback to eventual PAC champion Westminster.

Makenzie Coughlin ’20 starred defensively, as the senior standout led Division III in digs per set (6.77), which has her in line to be the NCAA Division III statistical champion in that category.

Coughlin picked up First Team All-PAC honors while Mallory O’Brien ’20 was named All-PAC Honorable Mention.

WOMEN’S SOCCER The women’s soccer team qualified for the PAC Tournament for a sixth straight season after compiling a 4-1-3 record in conference play. W&J did not lose to a conference opponent until the final day of the regular season, when they dropped a 2-1 decision to eventual PAC champion Grove City.

Marcy Saldivar ’21, along with forward Katie Hahn ’22, secured First Team recognition while defender Hannah Johnston ’21 secured Second Team honors.

Saldivar secured top honors after leading the Presidents in goals (7) and points (15) in 2019. Saldivar, who was a force in the midfield, recorded her first collegiate hat trick in a 4-0 win over Thiel Oct. 23.

Hahn recorded five goals and an assist to aid the offensive efforts.

Makenzie Coughlin ’20 picked up All-PAC First Team recognition after leading all of Division III volleyball with digs per set (6.77) in 2019.

Johnston, who is also on the women's basketball team at W&J, was voted to the 2019 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer First Team, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

W&J outscored opponents by a 16-4 margin in conference matches.

Paul Collier ’23 was named PAC Newcomer of the Year after his sixth place finish at the PAC Fall Cross Country Championships.

Reghan Dunn ’21 earned Empire 8 Second Team recognition for her play this fall. Dunn finished the season with four goals.

Jacob Adams ’20 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE

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GOLDEN G AL Men’s soccer wins PAC Championship for first time since 2007

The men’s soccer team celebrates its victory after capturing its first conference title in 12 years at Alexandre Stadium Nov. 9.

The men’s soccer team captured its first conference title in 12 years after defeating Geneva College 4-2 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game Nov. 9 at Alexandre Stadium.

The Presidents compiled a 12-8-2 overall record, which included a 9-0-1 record against conference competition.

This marks the third NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (2005, 2007, 2019). After this year’s victory, the Presidents have four PAC titles, all coming since the 2003 season (2003, 2004, 2007, 2019).

The Presidents placed a league-high eight players on the PAC all-conference teams.

Alvaro Viadas ’23 took home PAC Newcomer of the Year honors and 29th-year head coach Ian McDonald was named PAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career.

Viadas and Dylan Mayanja ’23 were both named First Team All-PAC. Jake Fetterman ’21, Michael Komaniak ’22 and Junior Mensah ’20 earned All-PAC Second Team 23

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applause. Zach Bowser ’23, Gary Olson ’20 and Ian Donlon ’21 received All-PAC Honorable Mention recognition.

Viadas, an exchange student from Spain, and Mayanja paced the conference's most potent offense. Both players tallied 10 goals, four assists and 24 points apiece. The duo tied for first in the PAC in goals, second in points and eighth in assists.

The 2019 season marks McDonald’s fourth PAC title and third NCAA Tournament appearance. This is his fifth PAC Coach of the Year honor (1994, 2003, 2004, 2007).

The Presidents established a new single-season program record with 53 goals. W&J ranked 23rd among NCAA Division III programs in goals scored and 32nd in total points (142).

W&J ended its season in the NCAA’s First Round, when it suffered a 2-0 loss to No. 7 ranked John Carroll University.

Alvaro Viadas ’23

SIX STUDENT-ATHLETES RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC PROWESS Conor Manning ’20 was named the 57th Academic All-American in Washington & Jefferson College history by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced Dec. 11.

Manning is the 16th First Team Academic All-America selection for W&J since 1978.

He becomes the first W&J football player to be named to the First Team since Mitch Erdely earned the distinction in 2009.

Five other W&J student-athletes were named Academic All-District this fall

by CoSIDA. Joining Manning with First Team Academic All-District® Football honors were Keaton Turney ’20, along with Alex Keith ’22 and Joey Koroly ’22. The W&J football program also had four student-athletes recognized on the Academic All-District First Team in 2014 and 2017.

CoSIDA selected Michael Komaniak ’22 to the 2019 Academic All-District® Men's Soccer First Team. Hannah Johnston ’21 rounded out the group of Presidents recognized for their

Conor Manning ’20

solid work on the field and in the classroom, as she was voted to the 2019 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer First Team.

To be eligible for the award, voted on by Sports Information Directors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.30 GPA or higher and must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution. Nominees must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games and be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic and academic credentials.

Nicole David '96, Women's Basketball; Dr. Mark Johnson '94, Men's Basketball; Ted Cuneo '78, Football and Wrestling; Chris Edwards '06, Football; and Matthew Rudzki '08, Men's Cross Country and Track & Field (left to right) were inducted into W&J’s Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony in the Allen Ballroom of the Rossin Campus Center in September. The group was joined by President John C. Knapp, Ph.D.

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Dedication

“The addition to this sports complex will not only help our current student athletes, but will serve as a great recruitment tool for our athletics department.”

-Dr. E. Ronald Salvitti

On November 12, 2019, Washington & Jefferson College hosted a dedication ceremony for its renovated Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

The renovation of the gymnasium, home site for W&J basketball, wrestling, and volleyball was made possible by a generous lead gift from Dr. E. Ronald Salvitti, Class of 1959, a Class of 2002 member of the W&J Athletic Hall of Fame. The gymnasium, originally built in 1970, is a state-of-the art facility with a capacity of 1,000 new bleacher-style seats, a refurbished floor, HVAC, and offices for the athletic director and sports information director.

The night’s celebration also included a dedication of the Eaton Fitness Center and the Jerry L. Morrow Alumni Suite.

The new fitness center, overlooking the Salvitti Family Gymnasium, is open to students, faculty, and staff, and includes treadmills,

The newly renovated Salvitti Family Gymnasium is the home of W&J’s basketball, wrestling, and volleyball teams with 1,000 new bleacher-style seats and a refurbished floor. The Henry Memorial Center has been the home to W&J athletics since its opening on Feb. 6, 1970.

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Dr. E. Ronald Salvitti, Class of 1959, is joined by basketball team captains Megan Williams ’20 and Jonathan DeVito ’20 prior to the dedication of the Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

Alumni Donors Fund Sports Complex Additions

Col. John Burns, Class of 1980, and members of W&J’s ROTC program at the dedication of the Eaton Fitness Center.

Dr. E. Ronald Salvitti, Class of 1959, is greeted by W&J Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness as part of the Salvitti Family Gymnasium dedication ceremony Nov. 12, 2019.

elliptical machines, weight lifting equipment, and more. The Morrow Alumni Suite also overlooks the newly-renovated gymnasium, offering a comfortable space for alumni events and other special gatherings.

effect on me. The addition to this sports complex will not only help our current student athletes, but will serve as a great recruitment tool for our athletics department,” Salvitti said.

The Eaton Fitness Center, generously funded by Charlie Eaton, Class of 1964, is named for Charlie Eaton and in honor of his brother, Peter Eaton, also Class of 1964. Eaton credits his years at W&J and leadership responsibilities as a young officer in the military for creating the foundation for a mature and productive lifelong experience. Dedicated by Col. John Burns, Class of 1980, Burns stated that, “the real reason to dedicate the fitness center is to give thanks and call attention of young people at W&J to the sacrifices that so many millions of our society have made by serving willingly.”

‘‘’’

Keith Ghezzi, Class of 1977, a fellow physician “It is truly amazing “Ron has been and Chair the profound instrumental in of the Board difference that one the overall success of Trustees of W&J through described person can make!” his service as a Salvitti’s Keith Ghezzi, Class of 1977 member of our leadership and board of trustees generosity, since 1975,” said President John which have been instrumental in C. Knapp. “He is passionate about preparing W&J to thrive long into W&J, our students, and our athletic the future. programs. I see every day the impact “Ron saw the importance of this that Ron has made on our campus project and provided W&J with the and our students.” opportunity to create this incredible Dr. Salvitti was a star athlete and space for our student athletes,” four-year letterman for the W&J Ghezzi said. basketball team. Accompanied by The W&J men’s and women’s his family and friends, Dr. Salvitti basketball teams capped off the spoke of the impact that W&J made night’s celebrations with a 74-67 on his life and his career. men’s home opener win over “I have always lived on the doorstep Pitt-Greensburg and a 61-57 women’s of the College and it has had an victory over LaRoche University.

President John C. Knapp with J.C. Morrow, Class of 1977, and David A. Ross, Class of 1978, (left to right) at the dedication of the Jerry L. Morrow Alumni Suite.

The Jerry L. Morrow Alumni Suite was funded by David Ross, Class of 1978, in memory of the father of his close friend J.C. Morrow, Class of 1977, a Class of 2002 member of the W&J Athletic Hall of Fame. J.C. Morrow and Ross formed a bond while playing youth sports in their community. Ross has been a generous donor and trustee of the College since 2004 and is a Class of 2008 member of the W&J Athletic Hall of Fame. President John C. Knapp stated that, “Ross has been instrumental in leading the College through transitions and a number of capital projects, but has been an avid supporter of W&J’s athletic programs.”

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YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Get to Know the

ALUMNI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Alumni Executive Council (AEC) is a dedicated group of alumni focused on strengthening the Washington & Jefferson College connection for alumni and students.

AEC members, who serve three-year terms, represent a variety of majors, class years,

To better represent you, the AEC needs to hear from you. Provide your suggestions, your comments, and your thoughts. Email alumni@washjeff.edu to have your input shared with the AEC.

and geographical areas. Get to know some of the 20-person council below and learn more about the entire AEC at jayconnected.com/meetAEC. STEVE MARTIN ’81, PRESIDENT

ELIZABETH WOOD SANDERS ’96

BRENDEN KELLEY, ESQ. ’12

Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Lumberton, North Carolina

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

An active mentor to W&J students, Steve values the ongoing relationships he has with his W&J mentors, including economics and accounting faculty like Professor Emeritus of Economics and Business K. Wayne Robison, C.P.A. As a retired financial service executive at PNC Bank, Steve has focused his career on developing and building relationships and has used this experience to help students and young alumni accelerate their careers.

"I want to leverage my experience and time to help the College move forward in pursuit of strategic objectives. I also want to serve as a conduit to other alumni to understand and represent their interests in the College."

Elizabeth has put her English major from W&J to good use in her years since graduation. She is the lead English teacher at Bladen Early College High School and an author with E. Marie Sanders Ink! Publishing. Elizabeth is involved with Faith Tabernacle Christian Center (youth minister and dance leader), North Carolina Association of Educators, and the North Carolina English Teachers Association.

With some of his favorite memories at W&J including debating politics with Professor of Political Science Joseph DiSarro, Ph.D., after class, it is no surprise Brenden is now an attorney, practicing with Wuliger & Wuliger. Outside the classroom, he fondly remembers his Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brothers and unique experiences like traveling to The Gambia with Dr. Buba Misawa.

"I hope to contribute to the collective voice of the alumni and to help others understand that even though our time of study on campus is over, we have a responsibility to our alma mater’s reputation and sustainability now more than ever."

“More than just the memories, W&J taught me so much about myself and left an incredible mark on who I am today. That’s why I give back to W&J.”

WHY I GIVE

"

While at W&J, we both received a world-class education and opportunities that have made us the adults we are today. That is the reason we give back to the W&J community.

Our hope is someday a student feels the same way we do about their experience because of the possibilities provided to them through the donations we have given.

– Patrick ’06 and Ashley Holman Vallely ’08

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"

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE PILOT LAUNCH OF THE FIRST-EVER

W&J CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM:

PrezProjects gives you the

opportunity to choose to support the projects that matter most

to you, contribute what you can afford, and help recruit others.

PrezProjects is the next great way

Support Students Presenting at Biology-Related Conferences

Support W&J Athletic Trainers in Purchasing New Equipment

PrezProjects launched this fall

Each year, numerous students engage in biology-related independent research and later present their findings to the W&J community. This academic year, more than 20 students have already been invited to present their research at conferences all over the U.S., and the number continues to grow. Typically, all travel and presentation costs are paid by the students.

In honor of the more than 20 years of dedication athletic trainers Mark and Mike Lesako have given to W&J, donors raised funds for the purchase of a state-of-the-art rehabilitation STIM unit to accelerate student-athlete recovery.

to share your W&J spirit!

with two initiatives. Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends, the first two projects were fully funded soon after their launch.

New projects will be launching soon.

To support the current initiatives and learn about future initiatives, visit jayconnected.com/prezprojects.

By supporting this fund, donors alleviated the financial strain traveling to conferences has on our students and made it possible for students to showcase their results, improve their presentation skills, and build a professional network.

The new piece of equipment, which will be put into use in spring 2020, allows for better, customized treatment for student-athletes as well as helps alleviate the ever-increasing demand on athletic trainers in assisting their players in routine maintenance and recovery.

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ALUMNI

2

HOMECOMING

WEEKEND 2

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1

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H

omecoming & Reunion Weekend stands out on the W&J calendar as the greatest red and black celebration for alumni and students alike. At this year’s celebration Oct. 4 & 5, 2019, more than 700 alumni and friends came home to W&J. From academic lectures and campus tours to tailgates and the cornerstone football game, Homecoming & Reunion Weekend always offers something for everyone.

1

Relive the magic of Homecoming weekend on the Washington & Jefferson College Flickr account:

FLICKR.COM/WJCOLLEGE 9

SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT HOMECOMING & REUNION WEEKEND:

OCTOBER 2 & 3, 2020!

Each year during Friday evening’s Homecoming celebration, the College honors three extraordinary alumni who demonstrate the loyalty, passion, and innovation found in all dedicated Presidents. The honorees achieved remarkable accomplishments and exemplified the mission of W&J as community leaders, philanthropists, scholars, or trailblazers in their chosen professions.

“We were thrilled to recognize and celebrate Miles, Anne, and Lauren during Homecoming this year,” said Director of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving Kerri Lacock ’09. “All three recipients are an outstanding reflection of the more than 15,000 alumni who embody W&J’s mission to make a positive and impactful contribution to the world in which we live.”

Read more about the 2019 Alumni Award Winners or nominate a fellow alumnus/a for a 2020 award, at jayconnected.com/alumniawards.

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1 Board of Trustees Chair Keith Ghezzi ’77 and wife, Lisa, enjoy live music by the John Parker Band at the Homecoming Celebration. 2 Members of the W&J ROTC present their flags at the Veterans Memorial Service. 3 Liliana Capo, daughter of Cortney Capo ’03, shows off her balloon art hat at the Tailgate Lunch. 4 Ken Mason ’64, York Yochum ’64, and Gary Richmond ’64 celebrate their 55th class reunion at the Tailgate Lunch. 5 Steve Lockridge ’89 and wife, Alina, grab a bite to eat at the Tailgate Lunch before game kickoff. 6 Jude Taha ’20 & River Icenhour ’20 smile for a photo after being named the 2019 Homecoming King and Queen. 7 Delaney McCracken ’23 cheers on the Presidents to their win against Bethany College, 69-21. 8 Students and alumni support the Presidents during the football game. 9 Associate Professor of Biology Jason Kilgore leads alumni on the annual Campus Arboretum Tour. 10 Tammy Bojanovic ’09 and Silvana Giardini ’09 take advantage of the photo booth under the tent during Fifth Quarter. 11 Jill Hamlin ’92 enjoys a brew from Tipple, the little red truck owned by Elaina Sendro ’09 and Ashley Latta ’08, during Fifth Quarter.

This year’s winners are:

Distinguished Service Award: Miles H. Simon ’71, Ph.D.

Alumni Award for Achievement: Dr. Anne Abbruzzese Hurley ’75

Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Lauren Clemmer ’06

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ALUMNI

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN TRAVELING?

WITH

Alex Brueckner ’11

Studying abroad in Cologne, Germany, while at W&J definitely tipped the first domino. I remember when my mother picked me up from the airport, she said, “We’ll probably have to nail your feet to the ground to keep you in the States.” And not two weeks later, I broke the news that I was planning on applying for an English teaching job in Japan as a part of the JET Program after graduation.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE TRAVELED TO? That’s like asking a parent to choose their favorite child! I’ve left very few places without the desire to return someday. I’ve found that my favorites are the ones that challenge me and push me outside of my comfort zone.

Japan will always hold a special place in my heart, though, because I think of it as one of my homes. That first foray into post-graduation adult life is difficult in almost any case; learning to live on my own in an entirely foreign environment fostered a lot of confidence.

SO WHAT LED TO YOU HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL? DID YOU JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND DECIDE IT WAS SOMETHING YOU HAD TO TACKLE, OR HAD IT BEEN A LONGTIME GOAL? The Appalachian Trail (AT) had been on my radar for a few years as a “someday” goal.

For all of the places I’ve been, I’ve barely explored the U.S. I knew the AT would give me an opportunity to discover the regional backyard that I’d basically ignored for the first thirty years of my life.

In August 2018, I finished up two years of teaching English in South Korea and had no plan for what I wanted to do next. In the spring, I met with one of my former W&J professors and laid out all of the things I was considering. She said, “You aren’t talking about any of these other choices with the same exuberance that you are the Appalachian Trail. I think you just need someone to tell you it’s okay.”

I pulled everything together in three very hectic weeks and started my hike April 4 at Springer Mountain in northern Georgia.

After 134 days and 2,192 miles, I finished at Mount Katahdin in Maine Aug. 15.

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR HIKE? A lot of the things I’ve done in my life have given me the feeling of, “If I can do this, I can do anything.” All of them pale in comparison to the sense of achievement that finishing the Appalachian Trail gave me.

For as amazing and rewarding as my experience was, it didn’t change the fact that the Appalachian Trail is hard. If you hike the whole trail from Georgia to Maine, it’s the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest sixteen times. I loved the hike, but by the end I was more than ready to be done.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? In October, I joined the team at Audley Travel in Boston as a Japan Country Specialist, a role in which I’ll be building/ planning custom itineraries to Japan for clients. I can’t wait to turn my professional interests back to Japan, especially because I’ll be facilitating the same kind of experiences that made me fall in love with the country for other people.

We love honoring our alumni and keeping up with their successes! Please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@washjeff.edu if you or someone you know is interested in being highlighted as a featured alumnus/a.

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CLASS NOTES 33 Alumni News 39 Weddings 41 Junior Presidents 41 In Memoriam

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CLASS NOTES

1950

1956

Warner Schlaupitz ’50 was nominated for "Athlete of the Year" in the Delaware Senior Olympics. At the age of 96, Warner won three gold medals during this year's competition in September & October 2019: two for the bench press and one for the 5K bicycle timed trials.

Dennis Must ’56 is the author of three books: "Brother Carnival" (November 2018), "The World’s Smallest Bible" (March 2014), and "Hush Now, Don’t Explain" (October 2014); and three short story collections: "Going Dark" (2016), "Oh, Don’t Ask Why" (2007), and "Banjo Grease" (2000). He won the 2014 Dactyl Foundation Literary Fiction Award for "Hush Now, Don’t Explain," and "The World’s Smallest Bible" was a 2014 USA Best Book Award Finalist in the Literary Fiction category. His plays have been produced Off-Off Broadway, and he has been published in numerous anthologies and literary journals.

1954

Rawlin Fairbaugh ’54 was selected for induction into the 2019 McKeesport High School Hall of Fame.

1962

John Fife ’62, an activist and advocate for the humane treatment of immigrants and reform of border security policies,

1955

W&J Class of 1955 15th Annual Florida Reunion "You may have missed the Sarasota Herald Tribune, March 3 edition.

Our class was praised for the good showing in the qualifying round of the Super Senior Beach Volleyball State Championship. [Age requirement is 75 and older]. While beach volleyball competition calls for two-man teams, because of our age this was modified, allowing four-man teams and anytime substitution.

Our group of five hadn’t played together since intramurals in college, but we felt ready! Because of their 7-inch vertical

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leap ability, Mort Davidson and Paul Smilow easily handled their “spiking” roles on offense and their “blocking” positions on defense. Don Kamerer maintains his “digger” ability which he credits to his sand-trap play on his golf course, and his uncanny saves won him “Best Defensive Player” in the tournament. Steve Oliphant was awesome as “Bump Passer," setting up great opportunities for Mort and Paul. And finally, Art Sohn remembered his “floater serve” that confused our opponents for many easy service points.

All in all we finished second in the seven-team round robin and, although that was good enough to make the finals, we chose not to go to Tampa as we were “TIRED!" We are still looking for classmates to partake in all our Florida fun! Pictured was taken at our celebration dinner.

From left to right: Arthur Sohn ’55, Don Kamerer ’55, Paul Smilow ’55, Mort Davidson ’55, and Steve Oliphant ’55."

- Arthur Sohn

presented "Border Security: Testing Our Basic Values" on W&J's campus in the Dieter Porter Life Sciences Building Oct. 1, 2019.

1963

Thomas Rosenberg ’63 was elected vice president of the Airport Advisory Board for the City of Wichita, Kan. In addition, he works as a specialist in adult and pediatric allergy and is proud to be a member of the Wichita medical community. He says: "It's been awhile since I've been back to see W&J but hoping to be there to celebrate my Class of '63 reunion at the '60th!' I am very proud to be a graduate of W&J, as it has instilled me with values I will never forget."

Ronald D. Snee ’63 was elected by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Board of Directors as an honorary member. This prestigious honor has been given to 29 individuals in ASQ's 72 years of history. Election as an honorary member requires a unanimous vote of the ASQ Board of Directors.

Honorary members are individuals who have made enduring contributions to the profession of quality and the allied arts and sciences.

1964 Jan Gulden ’64 retired from a career in general dentistry.

1967 The Phi Kappa Sigma brothers hosted a dedication ceremony in memory of their brother, Bill Simpson ’67, at the Clark Family Library June 15, 2019. The group, led by Mat Miner, raised money to dedicate a plaque that will stand in memory of their beloved brother.

"Our friendship continued through college and through life. He was the godfather to my two sons. Bill was the most loyal alum and best friend I ever had. He was a friend to all of us, and we wanted to do something special in his memory.

1968

Sixteen brothers of Phi Kappa Sigma contributed what they could toward a plaque in his honor," Miner said.

The plaque has been placed on outdoor seating, located on the new portico of the Clark Family Library.

Pictured from left to right: Porter Hovey ’67, Jay Simpson (brother), Robert Johnson ’66, Mat Miner ’67 (front), Dave King ’70, Ralph Hirsch ’68, James Lebedda ’68, Dennis Szymaitis ’67, and Elizabeth Renner (sister)

Product Liability Litigation. The 2020 edition marks the 31st consecutive year that Stein, a veteran trial lawyer, teacher of Trial Advocacy, and noted plaintiffs' attorney, has been included in the publication.

1969

Al Lindsay ’68 hosted an alumni golf day at his home in Sarver, Pa. Pictured from left to right: W&J Gift Officer Jay Robison, former W&J Director of Athletics Bill Dukett, Kenneth Getty ’66, James Pareso ’66, Al Lindsay ’68, W&J Head Wrestling Coach Thomas Prairie, Samuel Lapcevic ’15, W&J Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach Joseph Piszczor, and (front) Thomas Benic ’67.

Robert Stein ’68, of Stein Law Firm, PLLC, has been selected by his peers for multiple inclusions in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He has been listed in Family Law, Commercial, Trusts and Estates, Personal Injury and

Richard Mason ’69 attended his family reunion in August 2018 alongside his brothers, all of whom are W&J graduates.

Pictured from left to right: Rich Mason ’69, Steve Mason ’77, Ken Mason ’64, John Mason ’65, and Tom Mason ’72.

1970

John Carroll ’70 was named a recipient of the Fencing Spirit of Sports Award for the 2018-2019 season by USA Fencing. John is currently the head

Dennis Slamon ’70, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of hematology/ oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was awarded the 2019 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for the groundbreaking development of the breast cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab), a lifesaving therapy for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. The Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award is widely regarded as America's top biomedical research prize. Early this year, Dr. Slamon was also named a co-winner of the 2019 Sjöberg Prize by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Sweden’s Sjöberg Foundation.

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CLASS NOTES coach of Aquinas Academy Fencing Club in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, where he has made significant strides in growing the program, offering seminars as well as camps to support his young fencers. In addition, John is a member of the Pittsburgh Fencers’ Club.

1971

John ’71 and Sukey Jamison ’71 published their book, "Coyotes in the Pasture & Wolves at the Door: Stories and Recipes from our Farm to Your Table." The book explores the path the Jamisons took to establish a national chef-revered lamb program, a business in which their natural, pasture-raised lamb is processed in their own USDA plant, cut to order, and shipped directly from their farm. The Jamisons are now known as revolutionaries in their field, whose product has earned praise and orders from culinary luminaries the likes of Julia Child, Daniel Boulud, Norman Van Aken, and Dan Barber.

1973

The American Psychiatric Association Foundation announced a new fellowship opportunity for psychiatric residents in honor of Edwin V. Valdiserri ’73: the Edwin V. Valdiserri Correctional Public Psychiatry Fellowship. Prior to his death in 1992, Dr. Valdiserri served as medical director of the Lenape Valley Foundation Correctional Mental Health Services and the director of inpatient psychiatric services at Doylestown Hospital.

1975

Robert T. Brodell ’75, M.D., F.A.A.D., was honored by The American Academy of Dermatology as a Patient Care Hero for working with colleagues at the University of Mississippi in Oxford to open a dermatology clinic in the Delta — an area of the state that previously did not have a dermatologist for nearly 100 miles.

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Dr. Steven Conner ’75 hosted eight Beta Theta Pi brothers for a surf and turf dinner on his horse farm Aug. 3, 2019. Pictured left to right: Jeff Reinhard ’76, Paul Medvedo ’77, Doug McBride ’77, Gary Swegal ’76, Jack Soodik ’76, Steven Conner ’75, George Michael ’77, and Kurt Menges ’77.

1981

Michael Pratt ’81 joined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, as a shareholder. Pratt, who served as the 81st chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, spent the bulk of his legal career as a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP. Previous professional roles include serving as a litigation chief for a Fortune 100 company and as a chief deputy city solicitor charged with overseeing the commercial litigation division at the City of Philadelphia’s Law Department.

1982

Susan McKown Beard ’82 was promoted to purchasing manager at Twin Rivers Paper in Pine Bluff, Ark., in June 2018.

John Lucas ’82 retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as senior vice president, global human resources, and chief human resources officer in January 2019.

Special Agent Max Regula ’82 retired from the FBI after 33 years of service Dec. 31, 2018. Agent Regula's career focused on the conducting of

complex and large-scale violent crime, drug trafficking, and organized crime investigations. During his time at the FBI, he served as a special agent, supervisory special agent, and special assistant to the United States Attorney, while also serving as a member of FBI San Diego's SWAT team. Agent Regula says he will always be grateful for his W&J education and attributes so much of what it took to be an FBI agent to the skills and judgement he learned from W&J professors, staff, coaches, and fellow students.

1985

Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura ’85 was honored by the Women & the Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association Nov. 5, 2019, for becoming the first woman to hold the title of Acting Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Leonel Vasquez ’85, M.D., F.A.C.R., clinical associate professor, was honored to be the Artis K. Freimanis Visiting Professor at Michigan State University. He joined a long line of distinguished scholars dating back to 1975 who contributed specialized information to residents, fellows, and faculty at Michigan State University.

1987

Kevin Cook ’87 was appointed vice president of sales, marketing, & business development for global railcar leasing company, Mitsui Rail Capital, LLC. Bob Howard ’87 and Tim Sidow ’89 got together for a Friday night dinner along with George and Tom.

1990

Amy Radford-Popp ’90, Ph.D., was named dean of student engagement (DSE) for Olivet College. A newly-created position, the DSE is

the chief student affairs officer and is responsible for providing leadership and integration for all aspects of the student experience, including co-curricular engagement, residential life, personal health and wellness, and academic success.

1992

Juliann Fritz-Brigham ’92 returned to college! She now works with the next generation of public relations practitioners as a professor in the communications department at Utah Valley University.

Natalie Rega Nichols ’92 has been appointed president of Teeter Associates. Natalie leads fundraising campaigns and long-term development planning for nonprofits.

1994

Edward Kuna ’94 joined the Real Estate and Finance Department of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg, LLP, as a partner.

Chris Roe ’94 founded Rx Wealth Advisors, LLC, specializing in the financial advisement of physicians by providing insight, support, and unparalleled recommendations on how doctors can maximize earnings and cultivate wealth.

Andrew J. Tabler ’94 has joined the National Security Council's Middle East Affairs Directorate as its director for Syria.

He will play a critical role in crafting and implementing a cohesive U.S. policy in Syria, as well as

helping coordinate interagency efforts to advance U.S. interests that include ensuring the long-term territorial defeat of ISIS; negotiating a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria, currently in its eighth year; and preventing Iran from gaining a military foothold in Syria.

1995

Matthew Sweger ’95, of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, was selected by his peers for inclusion in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of corporate law.

Earlier this year, Matthew was named one of the BTI Client Service All-Stars 2019.

1998

Melissa McGinn ’98 is the owner and president of TM Promotional Marketing in Ashburn, Va., specializing in corporate promotional product sales.

2000

J.B. Bittner ’00 is the director of robotic surgery, co-director of the Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, and director of the THONE Comprehensive Hernia Center at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn. In addition, he serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the Quinnipiac Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine.

Andrew S. Chumney ’00 was elected managing partner at Peacock Keller by the Firm's partnership. Andrew is a member of the Firm's Energy Department and has worked with some of the country's largest energy producers in a broad array of energy and real estate-related matters.

2002 Walter “Spinner” Trynock ’02 was named to the Senior Executive Service of the federal government as a defense intelligence senior leader. A formal promotion ceremony, commissioned by Admiral Robert Sharp, director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, was held in April.

2003

James Zerfoss ’03 was selected as one of Pittsburgh's 50 Finest 2019.

2004

Joshua Andy ’04 joined a three-year research working group at the Center for Jewish History in New York City entitled: 'Hear Their Cry' Understanding the Jewish Orphan Experience. Over the course of the next three academic years, a group of scholars will collaborate on research and produce publications and public lectures on the experience of Jewish orphans throughout history. Andy's focus will seek to understand the experience of Jewish orphans in and after the Holocaust by focusing on Howard and Harry Chandler (Wajchandler) and their work to memorialize and help current residents of their former town, Starachowice, Poland, to grapple with the historical memory of the Holocaust in Poland.

Ehren J. Frey ’04 joined Roetzel & Andress, LPA, in the Firm's Fort Myers, Fla., location in the Business Litigation Group.

Jennifer Colpo ’00, D.O., joined Preferred Primary Care Physicians practicing in the Bethel Park, Pa., office.

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Jon Stehle ’04, councilmember for the City of Fairfax, Va., was named a recipient of the Jack Wood Award by George Mason University. The Jack Wood Award recognizes both Mason and community individuals and groups, as well as government, businesses, and not-for-profits who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the University and the community. Jon was nominated by George Mason University’s Student Body President Bekah Pettine for his leadership within the Fairfax community, commitment to fostering partnerships with the University’s Student Government, and continual support of student-led initiatives. (Photo credit: Evan Cantwell/Creative Services)

2005

Derek Illar ’05 was promoted to member (partner) at Eckert Seamans in Pittsburgh. He focuses his practice on labor, employment, and business matters.

Ben Markle ’05 was named manager of the West Newton Cemetery in West Newton, Pa. Christopher Snyder '05 toured the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., while on vacation with his family. W&J is represented in the Rose Bowl history exhibit listed as one of the teams to play in the Rose Bowl since 1902.

The College played against the California Golden Bears in 1922.

2007

Taylor Frankovitch ’07 was named partner at Bowles Rice, LLP, in Canonsburg, Pa.

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Raul Sandoval Jr. ’07 opened his own practice, Sandoval Family Law, P.C., after several years of practicing with a firm. Raul focuses on divorce and family law matters.

For more information about his practice, visit www.sandovalfamilylaw.com.

Bob Von Scio ’07 launched Heritage Craft Butchers, a butcher and charcuterie shop housed in a repurposed bank building in Washington County.

Timothy Wagner ’07 was named principal of Upper St. Clair High School July 1, 2019.

Tony Zanders ’07 joined Boston University Libraries as the inaugural entrepreneur in residence.

2008

Luke Anderson ’08 relocated to London in January 2019 to serve as a corporate counsel (attorney), supporting Amazon Web Services’ energy needs in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Luke has been with Amazon since 2016.

Jordan Bush ’08 of Edgar Snyder & Associates was named to the 2019 Super Lawyers' Rising Stars® list.

2009

Brittany Anderton ’09, Ph.D., became associate director of research talks at iBiology, a project that creates open-access videos about biology research and science-related topics by leading scientists in the field. After graduation from W&J, Brittany obtained a Ph.D. in cancer biology from the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of California San Francisco and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in science policy and communication at the University of California Davis. Brittany’s newly released video, a 5-minute introduction to cells of the immune system, can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2G8bBIB Margaret Lapp ’09 joined Facebook as the program manager for business education.

Dominique Sciullo-Craig ’09 has joined Brinkley Morgan's Marital & Family Law group as an associate. She focuses her practice in all areas of marital and family law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity, and dissolution of marriage cases involving alimony, child support, parental responsibility, timesharing, and equitable distribution.

2010

Adil Qarni ’10, M.D., joined the Pain Specialists of Cincinnati as a full-time pain physician.

Farrah Elyse Rink ’10 earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from PCOM Georgia, May 22, 2019.

2011

Alexandra Brueckner ’11 successfully completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail Aug. 15, 2019. The Appalachian Trail runs 2,192 miles through fourteen states, spanning from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

Alexandra Cabonor ’11 was selected by Super Lawyers as a Pennsylvania Rising Star in Family Law for 2019. This is the second year in a row that she has received this recognition. Alexandra has been practicing family law in Western Pennsylvania for four years and is a senior associate attorney at the law firm of Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, PC, in downtown Pittsburgh.

2013

Justin Mondok ’11 was named a 2019 honoree for the 25 Under 35 Awards by the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Previously known as the 40 Under 40 Awards, the program is in its 14th year of honoring the Mahoning Valley’s best and brightest young professionals for excellence in their professional fields and commitment to their communities.

The honorees are selected based upon professional and service categories by a committee of community leaders.

2012

Anna Blake ’12, pictured second from right, presented at the PETE&C in Hershey, Pa., representing Elizabeth Forward School District as an instructional technology specialist. She presented about robotics integration in the K-5 classroom using Makey Makey technology. Anna also presented at ISTE in Philadelphia this summer on the topic of "Tinkering with Computational Thinking." She also presented at Google Pittsburgh about the “Top 10 Tech to Use in your Classroom."

Cory Thoma ’12 completed his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2019. His dissertation was entitled, “Towards Scalable, Cloud-Based, Confidential, Data Stream Processing.”

Athena Castro ’13 graduated medical school in May 2018 with Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors. She is currently completing her residency at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Joshua Habursky ’13 serves as the assistant vice president of Advocacy for the Independent Community of America, editor of Campaigns and Elections Magazine, and professor in the Graduate School of Management at George Washington University. In 2018, Joshua won the Association TRENDS Top Association Lobbyist, The Hill’s Top Grassroots Lobbyist, and the Rising Star Award in Campaigns and Elections. Joshua has worked with fellow alumni on job placement and careers in politics.

Kyle White ’13, CMO and executive of Jointer.io., attended the 8th CMU Summit on US-China Innovation and Entrepreneurship April 11, 2019.

Kyle was a Summit contest finalist who spoke about how blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the commercial real estate industry.

2014

Kara Beck ’14 joined Gross McGinley, LLP, in the Firm's Litigation Group, representing individuals and businesses in business disputes

and breach of contract matters. Prior to joining Gross McGinley, Kara worked for Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., counseling energy, oil, gas, and mineral-related clients. In addition, Kara was appointed to the Branch Advisory Council for the YMCA of Allentown, Pa. As a board member, Beck will help guide the organization in its mission to nurture the potential of kids and support the local community, while helping those within lead healthier lives.

Kenny Roberts ’14 was promoted to director of federal affairs at the American Petroleum Institute in Washington, D.C.

2015

Mattie M. Follen ’15 graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) with the Academic Excellence Award for class valedictorian in the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree program in May 2019. She will be completing her clinical pharmacy residency at a hospital in Erie, Pa., while also earning a Master of Science in Medical Education from LECOM. Allison Greene ’15 joined Robert Peirce & Associates in Pittsburgh. Allison graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law with her Juris Doctor in 2018. Prior to joining Robert Peirce & Associates, she worked for the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and the Wake Forest Innocent and Justice Clinic.

Sara Watkins ’15 joined Robert Peirce & Associates in Pittsburgh. Sara graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 2018 with her Juris Doctor. Prior to joining Robert Peirce & Associates, she was a legal intern with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and a judicial intern with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

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2016

WEDDINGS

Donte Alexander Stevens ’16 was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for 2019.

Donte is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in biological sciences at the University of California San Diego.

2018 Jordan Hosfelt ’18 was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for 2019. Jordan is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in chemistry at New York University.

Ethan Heller ’18 was highlighted by the American Bar Association for his success during his first year of law school at the University of Notre Dame: bit.ly/ ethanheller.

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Tiffany Hartz ’10 and Drew Guthrie ’10 were married Sept. 15, 2018. Guests included Jennie Alman ’11, Chrissy Biedryzcki ’11, Kyra Fedorovich ’11, Jay Minster ’10, Brandon Smith ’11, and Jessica Shoup ’11.

Emily Dowler ’12 and Daniel Eiben were married Sept. 21, 2019, in Oakmont, Pa. Mariah Hinkle ’12 and Sarah Trageser ’13 served as maids of honor. Tasha Leech ’13, Elizabeth Nilsen ’13, Molly Pisciottano ’13, and Nick Pisciottano ’13 were members of the wedding party. In addition, 17 W&J alumni were also in attendance for the wedding celebration. Emily works as a nurse practitioner at MedExpress Urgent Care, and Daniel works as a financial advisor at PNC Bank. The couple currently resides in Pittsburgh.

Ken Porembka ’11 and Michelle Mandus were married Sept.

14, 2019, in Erie, Pa. Alumni in attendance included Matt Rayman ’08, Marc Fillari ’09, EJ Morascyzk ’11, Stacey Morascyzk ’11, Bradley Cieslinski ’11, John Williams ’10, Chamois Williams ’11, Quinton Thorne ’11, Jeremy Bennett ’12, and Christopher Whiteman ’11.

Joe Michelucci ’11 and Dallas Sauers were married March 9, 2019, at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.

Anthony Saveikis ’89 officiated the ceremony.

Angela Giglio ’15 and John Kutzfara ’15 were married June 1, 2019, at Saints John & Paul Roman Catholic Church in Franklin Park, Pa. A reception was held at Holy Trinity Center in McCandless.

Alumni in attendance included Alexander Carr ’15, Lia Barnes ’15, Kyle Smith ’15, Tyler Dean ’15, Mark Wesolek ’15, Amy Wesolek ’14, Cory Bauer ’15, Allie Brooks ’14, Jared Baird ’15, Daniel Michael ’15, Daniel Lofgren ’15, Erin Lavery ’15, and Andrew Leck ’16.

Valerie Elissa Dunlap ’15 and Trevor William Kerr ’17 were married June 29, 2019, in Youngstown, Pa. The couple currently resides in Rock Hill, S.C.

Lauren Adams ’15 and Zachary Podrasky ’13 were married Oct. 14, 2017, in Summit, N.J.

Nick Tyger ’12 and Tristan Thompson were married June 1, 2019, in Davenport, Iowa. The couple will live in Pittsburgh where Tristan attends the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and Nick works as a chiropractor at a local practice.

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In Memoriam

JUNIOR PRESIDENTS

1940s

Michelle Mantine ’03 and Brian Johnson ’02 welcomed their third child, Olivia Grace, Jan. 7, 2019. Olivia was born at Allegheny Health Network’s Western Pennsylvania Hospital, where Brian is chief medical officer. Olivia has two proud siblings, Madeline and Henry.

Charles Booth ’41, New Kensington, Pa., died Aug. 4, 2019, at age 99.

Frederick Emerson ’42, Wilmington, N.C., died June 8, 2019, at age 99.

Joseph Coury ’44, Plymouth, Ind., died May 15, 2019, at age 96.

Richard Crosbie ’44, Feasterville-Trevose, Pa., died March 5, 2019, at age 96.

Jim Matthews ’05 and Cassandra Nicastro Matthews ’05, Pharm.D., welcomed Mila Jeanne Dec. 18, 2018. Mila joins big brother, James, and big sister, Ellianna.

Paul Ohrman ’44, Boxborough, Mass., died March 9, 2019, at age 96.

Michael Scolieri ’44, San Francisco, Calif., died May 7, 2019, at age 97.

William Welsh Jr. ’46, Hickory, Pa., died May 24, 2019, at age 94.

William Leakey ’47, Sun City, Ariz., died Jan. 13, 2019, at age 96.

Ross Evans ’48, Mechanicsburg, Pa., died July 21, 2019, at age 94.

Alyssa Vukson Harmotto ’12 and Nate Harmotto ’11 welcomed their second son, Isaac Samuel, May 13, 2019.

Harold Mondik ’48, Washington, Pa., died June 7, 2019, at age 93.

Lawrence Rosen ’48, Birmingham, Ala., died May 1, 2019, at age 94.

Max Petrisek ’49, Millersville, Pa., died April 11, 2019 at age 94.

John Stitely ’49, Cumberland, Md., died April 7, 2019, at age 91.

Jonathan Ross ’06 and Susanne Seward Ross ’09 welcomed their second son, Cameron James, July 25, 2019.

Kate ’12 and Alex Malyszka ’11 welcomed their second child, Noah Cash, April 17, 2019.

Bruce Yount ’49, Connoquenessing Township, Pa., died March 2, 2019, at age 93.

1950s Edward Burr ’50, New Castle, Pa., died May 1, 2019, at age 90.

John Kelchner ’50, Pensacola, Fla., died Sept. 11, 2019, at age 94.

Jack Pearce ’50, Dayton, Ohio, died March 10, 2019, at age 92.

B.J. Monacelli ’14 and Genevieve Monacelli welcomed the birth of their second child and first daughter, Viviana Genevieve, Jan. 22, 2019.

John Thomas ’50, Richmond, Va., died April 29, 2019, at age 92.

Charles Campbell ’51, Springfield, Ill., died Sept. 12, 2019, at age 90.

Robert J. Gibson ’51, Milwaukee, Wis., died Dec. 19, 2018, at age 99.

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John William McDonald, Ph.D. John William McDonald, Ph.D., Washington, Pa. died Aug. 14, 2019 at age 82. McDonald came to W&J in 1968. He was a professor of political science and also taught freshman forum courses. He retired from W&J in 1996.

McDonald earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1958. He completed his master's degree in 1960, and his Ph.D. in political science in 1968, both from Columbia University. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

While at W&J, McDonald served as coordinator of the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship, a federal scholarship that provides opportunities for students planning public service careers. He served on several committees, including Pre Legal and Legal Professions, Educational Policy, Athletic Policy, Faculty, and Recruitment and Admissions committees, among others. He also volunteered as a sound technician for productions at Olin Fine Arts Center.

Friends and former colleagues remember McDonald’s keen interest in classical music and appreciation for all musical genres, as well as his dedication to his students and his

field. Associate Professor and Director of the Environmental Studies Program Robert East, Ph.D., recalled that he stayed academically engaged in his field, continuing to attend conferences and reading the latest peer-reviewed literature after his retirement.

“He was an excellent teacher and scholar,” said Robert Dodge, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history. “He embraced the liberal arts in all its manifestations being interested in music, the theater, and literature.”

William Keen, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, who worked closely with McDonald and also was a personal friend, said some of his best memories of McDonald took place in their neighborhood where their families spent time together.

He also recalled student reactions to McDonald’s work.

“He was much respected by his students,” Keen said. “I remember more than one who commented on the rigor of Bill’s mind and the depth of philosophical understanding he led them toward in his course in Political Thought.”

McDonald was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Hammonds, who died in 2005. McDonald is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Earl McKinney ’51, Oshkosh, Wis., died April 9, 2019, at age 89.

Alan Friedman ’55, Delray Beach, Fla., died Sept. 20, 2019, at age 86.

T. Roger Entress ’58, Pittsburgh, died Sept.

21, 2018, at age 82.

Aldo Niccolai ’51, San Rafael, Calif., died Jan. 1, 2019, at age 91.

George Kushner ’55, Pittsburgh, died Feb. 12, 2019, at age 85.

Harry Fuchs III ’58, Florence, Ky., died April 20, 2019, at age 83.

Vincent Palladino ’51, Waterbury, Conn., died Aug. 16, 2019, at age 90.

Demas McVay ’55, Aurora, Ohio, died April 1, 2019, at age 85.

Thomas Logan ’58, Lititz, Pa., died June 2019, at age 84.

James Ellison Jr. ’52, Sewickley, Pa., died June 26, 2019, at age 90.

Rodney Miller ’55, Boca Raton, Fla., died January 2019, at age 85.

Tom Halter ’59, Scottsdale, Ariz., died Jan. 14, 2019, at age 82.

Edward Frohlich ’52, Metairie, La., died Aug. 16, 2019, at age 87.

James L. Welsh ’55, Miller, S.D., died Dec. 28, 2018, at age 85.

John Hillman ’52, Lakewood Ranch, Fla., died Jan. 8, 2019, at age 89.

Kermit Kenler ’56, Falmouth, Mass., died March 23, 2019, at age 84.

George Inglis ’59, Fox Chapel, Pa., died Dec. 13, 2019, at age 81. Mr. Inglis was a member of the Washington & Jefferson College Board of Trustees from 1993 – 1998.

Roger Murray ’52, Longwood, Fla., died May 28, 2019, at age 90.

William Moore ’56, St. Petersburg, Fla., died March 19, 2019, at age 84.

Walter Terpin ’59, Dataw Island, S.C., died Feb. 3, 2019, at age 81.

Philip Williams Jr. ’52, Jacksonville, Fla., died June 27, 2019, at age 88.

John Wayman ’56, Alamo, Calif., died June 8, 2019, at age 84.

1960s

David Crumrine ’53, Washington, Pa., died Jan. 31, 2019, at age 87.

Thomas 'Gene' Clendaniel ’57, Porter, Ind., died Aug. 23, 2019, at age 87.

Robert Bowser ’60, Pittsburgh, died April 8, 2019, at age 83.

Augustus Jahn Jr. ’53, Youngstown, Ohio, died March 15, 2019, at age 95.

Robert Fleming II ’57, Seattle, died April 26, 2019 at age 83.

George Bromwich ’60, Key Largo, Fla., died Oct. 3, 2018, at age 80.

William Kenny ’53, Canonsburg, Pa., died May 16, 2019, at age 88.

Jay Jenkins ’57, Erie, Pa., died May 19, 2019, at age 83.

Duane Cooley ’60, Rock Hill, S.C., died Sept. 27, 2019, at age 81.

Robert Lash ’53, Pittsburgh, died Sept. 22, 2019, at age 87.

Richard Saul ’57, Chicago, Ill., died Aug. 14, 2019, at age 83.

Anthony Harrison ’60, Pittsburgh, died Jan. 28, 2019, at age 81.

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CLASS NOTES

Jack Rea Jr. Jack Rea Jr., 89, of Washington, Pa., died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in his home. He was born June 6, 1930, in Washington, Pa., a son of the late Giovacchino Rea and Anna Paul Rea. Mr. Rea was employed by Washington & Jefferson College as an athletic trainer for 36 years. He also worked for Coweison Funeral Home for five years and William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., for 13 years.

During his time at Washington & Jefferson, he was also the house advisor for Beta Theta Pi Fraternity for 11 years.

He is survived by his wife Dorris, two children, a brother, a sister, several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph Kormuth Jr. ’61, Twilight, Pa., died June 15, 2019, at age 79.

Grant Hopkins ’69, Pittsburgh, died June 6, 2019, at age 72.

Lewis Bluemle H’81, Bryn Mawr, Pa., died Aug. 13, 2019, at age 98.

Bruce Buchanan ’62, Fernandina Beach, Fla., died April 6, 2019 at age 78.

1970s

Mark Hrutkay ’81, Chapmanville, W.Va., and Kingsport, Tenn., died May 10, 2019, at age 59.

Henry Hood ’62, Lancaster, Pa., died May 31, 2019, at age 79.

William McCorkle IV ’62, Hudson, Ohio, died Jan. 21, 2018, at age 78.

William Reed ’62, Bruin, Pa., died Nov. 9, 2019, at age 83.

James Moore ’63, Annandale, Va., died April 10, 2018, at age 77.

J. Robert Becker ’64, State College, Pa., died Oct. 18, 2019, at age 77.

Edward Krause ’64, Cleveland, died June 14, 2019, at age 77.

Samuel Work ’64, Aquia Harbour, Va., died June 22, 2019, at age 77.

Ronald Bargiband ’65, Canonsburg, Pa., died Aug. 12, 2019, at age 76.

Frank Hall Jr. ’66, Walton, N.Y., died July 17, 2019, at age 75.

James Hunter III ’66, Columbus, Ohio, died Nov. 11, 2019, at age 75.

William Noble ’68, Claysville, Pa., died Nov. 9, 2019, at age 73.

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A renowned athletic trainer, Mr. Rea assisted scholastic-age to professional-level athletes in their recovering from sports-related injuries. His awards include induction into Who's Who in Society in 1988; recognition as a founding father of the Pennsylvania Athletic Training Society in 1990; election to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Washington/Greene County Chapter, in 1995, as well as a special congressional recognition for that distinction; recipient of W&J's Distinguished Service Award in 1997; election to the W&J Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002; election to the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 2004; and election to Trinity High School's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. In addition, in 2017, Washington & Jefferson College created the Jack Rea Athletic Staff Member-of-the-Year plaque, which hangs in the Henry Memorial Center.

WINTER 2020 MAGAZINE

Michael Weiss ’70, Pittsburgh, died May 27, 2019, at age 71.

Christopher Gray ’73, Boston, Mass., died Oct. 16, 2019, at age 68.

John Good III ’74, Beaver, Pa., died June 26, 2019, at age 67.

Norman Corey Jr. ’76, Bridgeville, Pa., died Dec. 23, 2017, at age 63.

Steven Heinrich ’76, Jessup, Pa., died March 10, 2019, at age 65.

David Morrisey ’76, Indianapolis, died March 30, 2019, at age 65.

Pamela Saalbach ’76, Owings, Md., died Sept. 10, 2019, at age 66.

Jeffrey Jensen ’78, Rocky River, Ohio, died Feb. 11, 2019, at age 62.

Leslie Godwin ’79, Tampa, Fla., died March 22, 2019, at age 61.

1980s William Pierdominici ’80, Latrobe, Pa., died April 19, 2019, at age 60.

Keith Von Scio ’83, Beckley, W. Va., died April 23, 2019, at age 57.

Mary Watson ’84, Mamaroneck, N.Y., died Aug. 22, 2019, at age 57.

David Roderick H’86, Latrobe, Pa., died Oct. 5, 2019, at age 95.

Patrick McClurkin ’89, Girard, Ohio, died July 6, 2019, at age 53.

1990s Jeffrey Lawson ’92, Zainesville, Pa., died Feb. 20, 2019, at age 48.

2000s Lisa Moore ’01, Greensburg, Pa., died June 23, 2019, at age 40.

Matthew Luckhardt '02, Canonsburg, Pa., died Oct. 4, 2019, at age 41.

Amy Doria ’06, Washington, Pa., died Oct. 2, 2019, at age 54.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE

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Washington & Jefferson College 60 South Lincoln Street Washington, Pennsylvania 15301-4801

Fragility & Resilience: Democracy in Today’s World Visit us on Presidents Day, February 17, 2020, for the Third Annual Symposium on Democracy.

For more information, see washjeff.edu/symposium

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

MICHAEL J. ABRAMOWITZ President of Freedom House

NATHAN LAW

Former legislator/ Founding chair of Demosisto

SERGE SCHMEMANN

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and The New York Times editorial board member

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Bolingbrook IL Permit No. 1963