FALL 2016
Washington C O L L E G E
Jefferson M A G A Z I N E
A Final Bow
Recognizing the contributions of W&J’s 12th President
Washington & Jefferson College Magazine FALL 2016 Editor SARAH DUDIK
Editorial Assistant EMILY PAYNE ’15
Director of Marketing and Communications ERIK K. RUETER
Contributors ERIN FAULK JONES ’08 SEAN KING KERRI DIGIOVANNI LACOCK ’09 KAYLA MADDEN
Designer JEFF VANIK, VANIK DESIGN LLC
Photographers DENMARSH PHOTOGRAPHY MARTIN SANTEK
Printer FREEPORT PRESS
W&J Magazine, published twice a year by the Office of Communications, showcases alumni and campus news of interest to more than 20,000 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 Communications 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: President Tori Haring-Smith talks with students on the porch of the President’s House.
Light streams in through the front windows of the Salvitti Atrium in the John A. Swanson Science Center, one of the buildings constructed during President Haring-Smith’s tenure at W&J.
Washington C O L L E G E
Jefferson M A G A Z I N E
FALL 2016
W&J IN EVERY ISSUE
1 President’s Message 3 News
Get to know the Class of 2020
21
13
W&J FEATURES
9 13
Global Perspective The Magellan Project has taken W&J students further than they ever imagined they could go.
A Final Bow Recognizing the legacy of W&J’s 12th President: a tribute to President Tori Haring-Smith.
Sports Father and daughter coaches find home at W&J
25 Alumni
Homecoming 2016 An Uncommon Bond campaign update
30 Class Notes
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W&J
president’s message
Looking back and moving forward What a wonderful twelve years it has been! I remember well Homecoming of 2004 when I met alumni, faculty, staff, and students for the first time as president elect. It was a whirlwind event—faces flash through my memory, but mostly I remember excitement and anticipation. In the ensuing twelve years, my love for W&J has only grown. Leaving the College will be bittersweet, but my new grandson brings incredible joy into my life and, with my husband retired, it is a good time to focus on family. The College is experiencing outstanding momentum and is well poised to attract strong, new leadership. We have accomplished so much together in twelve years—and it has truly been a team effort. Enrollment has grown, the academic profile of our students has risen, the Magellan Project and the Washington Fellows Program attract national attention, the College’s endowment has doubled since its low in 2008, and the operating budget has been in the black every year. We have opened 10 new residence halls, the state-of-the-art John A. Swanson Science Center, the Janet Swanson Tennis Center, and soon we will open the James David Ross Family Recreation Center. All of this has been made possible by the generosity of our alumni and friends who devote their time and provide financial support for the College. You volunteer as alumni mentors, you host fellow alumni in your homes, and you guide students through internships. Thanks to all of you, we surpassed our goal of $100 million for the Uncommon Bond campaign last spring . . . and we are still going! Looking back at my tenure at W&J, there are so many wonderful memories: cooking classes and wine tastings with alumni groups, visits with individuals who have been so generous to the College, and, of course, matriculations and commencements. I remember our first Magellan students setting off to see the world on their own. No W&J students had done this kind of sponsored independent travel before—and they were laying the groundwork for scores to follow. This year, the Magellan Project will be ten years old, and we will spend our one millionth dollar on the program, which has benefited close to 500 students. One of our students this year earned so much respect in the Bolivian orphanage where he worked that he was made the godfather of a baby who had been abandoned there. Another worked in an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia, and a third completed cancer research in California. I could go on and on. I am just so proud of every one of these entrepreneurial, passionate students. One of the most rewarding aspects of leading W&J has been watching students grow from their first timid steps as freshmen into confident and successful graduates. As I hand diplomas
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FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
Trustee Lyn Dyster ’80 and Haring-Smith at Homecoming 2005.
to students, I remember what they were like as freshmen; their transformation is an enduring testament to their hard work and to the power of a W&J education. I was drawn to W&J in 2005 because I cherish the opportunity to be part of a vibrant academic community that is committed to challenging students to do their best work. I will miss conversations with faculty colleagues, debates with the senior administration and the Board about strategy, and chatting with students in The Commons or in the living room of the President’s House. W&J was, is, and will always be a place where education is truly personal. I will take these and so many more memories with me in June as I leave W&J and resettle in my home in New Hampshire. But before I go, I hope to complete a book-length history of the College, which will be my parting gift to all of you. The story of W&J’s history not only records the College’s many accomplishments, but it also reveals our enduring values; it is a testament to our motto: “Juncta Juvant,” Together We Thrive. I am confident that W&J will continue to thrive for centuries to come.
TORI HARING-SMITH, PH.D. PRESIDENT
Haring-Smith welcomes new students during Matriculation 2012.
Haring-Smith smiles on a walk through campus during her inauguration ceremony in 2005.
Haring-Smith with a prospective student at a Presidential Premiere event in 2015.
Haring-Smith with students at the Black Student Union tailgate during Homecoming 2012.
Haring-Smith with Michael Nickens, Linda West Nickens, and Crystal Nickens, family of Charles West, during the Charles West Dedication in 2011.
Haring-Smith with her husband Bob at Cameron Stadium during Homecoming 2013.
Haring-Smith with President Barack Obama during a campaign stop on campus in the spring of 2008.
P
resident Tori Haring-Smith has been a presence at W&J for the last 12 years and can be seen everywhere from sporting events to alumni gatherings to prospective student weekends.
Haring-Smith with Bill Dukett, Dana Crummer, and David Ross ’78 during Homecoming 2015.
Haring-Smith received the game ball when W&J football had its 700th win in September 2014.
Adam Kmett ’15 receives the Spoon of Knowledge from outgoing SGA president Damian Bosiacki ’13 during the & JEFFERSON 2 Senior Picnic atWASHINGTON the President’s HouseCOLLEGE in May 2013.
W&J news
commencement 2016 It was a rainy day for commencement at Washington & Jefferson College, but the enthusiasm of the 298 graduating seniors of the Class of 2016 could not be dulled by the weather. Civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis delivered a rousing keynote address to the graduates. “I tell you, as a graduate, you must hold the house together. Not just your house, but the world’s house,” Lewis told the Class of 2016. “We all live in the same house and we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters ... Never give up. Never lose hope. Never get lost
in the sea of despair. Dream dreams. Keep the faith. And never hate.” Lewis and three other national leaders were awarded honorary degrees during commencement. For more, turn to pages 5-6. W&J’s Class of 2016 is taking on intensive graduate programs, internships with major corporations, and jobs with prestigious local and national organizations. They are now part of the supportive community of proud W&J alumni.
Are you a new alumnus/a who is looking to get involved? Visit jayconnected.com to see how to connect with your alma mater.
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Faculty and students process from Old Main toward the commencement tent. FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
Evan Lestini ‘16 and professor Lori Galley.
Alex Powell ’16 (L) and Daniel Lis ’16 (R) process by Old Main with the rest of the Class of 2016 after the commencement ceremony.
Danielle Berlin ’16 stays out of the rain with a colorful umbrella.
Dorian Terry ’16 and Emma Church ’16 pose for a photo after the commencement ceremony.
Natalie Paul ’16 carries her W&J umbrella to keep dry on the walk to the commencement tent.
Tamika Arnold ’16 looks out across a sea of graduates during the commencement ceremony.
Keynote speaker Congressman John Lewis shares advice and perspective with the Class of 2016.
Wes Pein ’16 shakes hands with W&J President Tori Haring-Smith as he receives his diploma.
Ashley Carter ’16 walks back to Old Main after the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.
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New professors bring a variety of experience, perspectives to campus Washington & Jefferson College welcomes several new professors to campus this fall. They bring a wealth of academic knowledge and real world experience across a variety of disciplines to share with their students. David Ryan Bunting ’07 joins Washington & Jefferson College as an instructor in the Department of Education. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Duquesne University and earned a master’s in education from Christian Brothers University and a B.A. in child development/education from W&J. His research interests include the use of restorative justice practices in creating sustainability among a school district, a community, and a college. Bunting has taught for eight years at the fifth and sixth grade levels at Washington Park Elementary and level one at Central Christian School. He has been an adjunct professor at W&J for seven years. Cory Christenson joins Washington & Jefferson College as an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. Christenson earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in physics from Gustavus Adolphus College. His research interests are in organic polymers and dyes for optics-based technologies, such as solar cells, holography, and data storage. He was most recently a visiting professor at Case Western Reserve University for three years and mentored numerous undergraduates in research projects. Melissa Cook ’90 joins Washington & Jefferson College as an associate professor in the Department of Communications. Cook earned a Ph.D. in rhetoric from Duquesne University, a master’s of public administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. from Washington 5
FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
& Jefferson College. Cook most recently served as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication at St. Vincent College, as well as the director of St. Vincent’s Fred Rogers Scholars Program. She has also served as the executive director of the Brookwood Adult Day Care Center in Venetia, Pa., and the director of communication and institutional advancement for the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale in Pittsburgh. Her research interests include communication ethics as they apply to organizations, communities, families, and personal relationships; presidential campaign rhetoric; rhetoric and philosophy of marketing and public
relations; and communication across the curriculum pedagogy and best practices. In collaboration with Annette Holba, Cook edited the book “Philosophies of Communication: Implications for Everyday Experience.” She previously taught as an adjunct professor in W&J’s Theatre and Communications Department from 1998 to 2004. Anudeep Gill joins Washington & Jefferson College as an instructor in the Department of Economics. She earned a master’s degree from SUNY Binghamton and a B.A. from Whitman College. She has defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of South Carolina. Her research interests include labor economics and applied microeconomics. She was a graduate instructor in economics for two years and a teaching assistant for undergraduate and graduate economics courses at the University of South Carolina.
W&J honors national leaders Washington & Jefferson College awarded four national leaders with honorary degrees during the College’s 217th commencement ceremony. Congressman John Lewis, a nationally recognized leader during the Civil Rights Movement, received an honorary Doctor of Laws. On March 7, 1965, he helped lead more than 600 peaceful protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in what later became known as Bloody Sunday. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Medal of Freedom and a John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage Award” for Lifetime Achievement. Lewis has served as a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district since 1987. Jean Berko Gleason, Ph.D., a professor emerita in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University, received an honorary Doctor of Science. She is best known for her breakthrough work on language acquisition in children and is the inventor of the Wug Test, which uses nonsense words to study children’s understanding of simple language rules. Imam Khalid Latif, the executive director and chaplain of the Islamic Center at New York University, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity. Latif became the youngest
David Kieran joins Washington & Jefferson College as an assistant professor in the Department of History. His interests include American cultural history and war, the military, and popular culture. He earned a Ph.D. in American studies from George Washington University and a B.A. from Connecticut College. He has taught at Washington University in St. Louis, Franklin & Marshall College, and Skidmore College. Kieran is the author of “Forever Vietnam: How a Divisive War Changed American Public Memory” and is currently working on a book titled “Signature Wounds: Mental Health and the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.” Max Miller joins Washington & Jefferson College as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Business and as director of Entrepreneurship. He earned a MBA from the Kellogg
School of Management at Northwestern University, a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include the intersection of entrepreneurship and local and regional economic development, as well as the role of entrepreneurship in reshaping underserved communities. Miller was most recently principal of his own management consulting firm and founded his own sensory experience firm, Raise Your Spirits, focused on craft and luxury spirits. He is also actively engaged in the area of innovation, most recently as EVP/COO for Urban Innovation21, an inclusive innovation firm, and MetroMe, a premier concierge application for the business and leisure traveler. He founded and directed the University of Pittsburgh School of Law’s Innovation Practice Institute, held operations and marketing managerial
roles in H.J. Heinz Company, and served as an attorney for Federated Investors where he was responsible for general corporate and securities law. Dimitris Vassiliadis joins Washington & Jefferson College as an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. Vassiliadis earned a Ph.D. in physics and a master’s degree from University of Maryland, College Park, and an undergraduate degree in physics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research interests include plasma physics, magnetospheric physics, electrodynamics, space physics, and space weather. He has taught physics and astronomy courses at West Virginia University; Frostburg State University; University of Maryland, College Park; and worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for 15 years.
chaplain in the history of the New York City Police Department in 2007 and is cofounder of the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at NYU. Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., NASA chief scientist since 2013, received an honorary Doctor of Science. She serves as principal advisor to the NASA Administrator and senior officials on agency science programs, planning, and investments. Stofan is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Honorary degree recipients pose for a photo with staff and trustees in McMillan Hall before commencement. Front row: Congressman John Lewis, Imam Khalid Latif, Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, Dr. Jean Berko Gleason, and Dr. Ellen Stofan.
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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FRESHMAN CLASS 2005-06
2016-17
388
STUDENTS ENROLLED
429
STUDENTS ENROLLED
E
leven years ago, President Tori Haring-Smith welcomed her first class of freshmen to W&J. This year, she welcomed her last class during the 2016 matriculation ceremony. Here’s a look at how the incoming Class of 2009 compares to the Class of 2020 and a little more about some of the outstanding students in this year’s freshman class.
GET TO KNOW THE CLASS OF 2020 AVERAGE GPA
3.31
3.66
Two students have performed at
CARNEGIE HALL (one had a vocal solo and one had a piano solo)
MINORITY STUDENTS
4.8%
14.7%
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
3
16
The
TOP-RANKED
water skier in Pennsylvania
A hot air balloon
A student who has traveled to more than
THIRTEEN COUNTRIES
A
WRANGLER
A student who runs a sports blog with more than
25,000 FOLLOWERS
GOLDEN GLOVES boxer
A student with a
START-UP
cosmetics company
NUMBER OF STATES
26
26
A student who has earned a place among the
A student whose lip dub video
in the country
and was recognized by MTV
TOP 15 EQUESTRIANS
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES
1
7
FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
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WENT VIRAL
A student who climbed the
A budding poet who took
in Southeast Asia— Mount Kinabalu
in a poetry recitation at a French festival
HIGHEST MOUNTAIN
FIRST PLACE
Generation Study Abroad Awards Scholarships to Six Promising Presidents Washington & Jefferson College received a $7,500 grant from the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative, which will support study abroad trips for six W&J students during the 2016-17 academic year. Lovell Johnson ’19 will study in Cologne, Germany; Sydney Bynum ’17 at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands; Devon Sorantino ’18 at the University of Costa Rica in San Ramon, Costa Rica; Alberto Cortez ’19 at the University of Valparaíso in Valparaíso, Chile; Omashola Ekperigin ’17 at Lingnan University in Hong Kong; and David Alonso ’19 at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Quito, Ecuador.
Four Scholars to Represent W&J with Fulbright Awards Three W&J faculty members and an alumna are 2016 recipients of Fulbright Awards. Michael Shaughnessy, Ph.D., associate dean of graduate studies and international programs, received an award in the U.S.-France International Education Administrators Program and will study in France and Germany in Oct. 2017. Associate Professor of English Jennifer Harding, Ph.D., will teach at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, in Spring 2017. H.J. Manzari, Ph.D., associate professor of modern languages, received an award through the Fulbright Specialist Program and is seeking teaching opportunities in Italy and France. Heather Painter ’13 received a U.S. Fulbright Student Grant to Austria and will begin a master’s degree in political science at the University of Vienna.
For more on these stories and to keep up with the latest college news, visit www.washjeff.edu/news-community.
Mellon Foundation Grant to Support Faculty, Freshmen Students
A grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will support the Mellon Fellows, a group of W&J First Year Seminar (FYS) professors, as they bolster the College’s FYS programming. The Fellows will use the grant over the next two years to research aspects of teaching, advising, and student engagement and will redesign FYS courses to keep up with the next generation of students and the way they learn. The Mellon Fellows are: • Judith Atzler, Ph.D., assistant professor, German • Jen Bayline, Ph.D., associate professor, Chemistry • Tom Contreras, Ph.D., associate professor, Biology • Rob Dunn ’03, Ph.D., associate professor, Economics and Business • Nichole Fifer, Ph.D., assistant professor, Political Science • Jen Harding, Ph.D., associate professor, English • Ryan Higginbottom, Ph.D., associate professor, Mathematics • Amanda Holland-Minkley, Ph.D., associate professor, Computing and Information Studies • Steve Malinak, Ph.D., professor, Chemistry • Karin Maresh, Ph.D., associate professor, Communication Arts • Benjamin Seltzer, Ph.D., assistant professor, Psychology • Dana Shiller, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair, English • Mark Swift, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair, Music • Kelly Weixel, Ph.D., assistant professor, Biology and director of Neuroscience Program • Michael Wolf, Ph.D., associate professor, Philosophy
Greenwood Earns Emma Award Celebrating Diversity in Media Ty Greenwood ’17 won The Emma Award for Ubuntu from The Emma Bowen Foundation for his efforts to promote diversity on campus and in the media. The Bowen Foundation recruits diverse students and places them in internships with corporate media and technology sponsors. Greenwood has interned in the television news department at KDKA in Pittsburgh since 2013 where he writes anchor packages and works on Pittsburgh Today Live. At W&J, he is an inaugural member of the Charles West Fellows, a group of African-American scholars who carry out the legacy of W&J alumnus Charles West by promoting academic success, leadership, and volunteerism on and off the campus.
NEW FOR FALL 2017
Alumni Referral Scholarship Know of a high school junior, senior, or transfer student who would be an excellent addition to the W&J community? Nominate prospective W&J students for the Alumni Referral Award! If eligible, the student will receive a $1,000 award as part of their financial aid package. Referrals will be accepted for first-time, undergraduate freshmen or transfer students who have not yet applied to W&J. Submit a referral at connect.washjeff.edu/register/ alumni_referral. Questions? Contact Amy Smith-Dille ’06, associate director of admission, at adille@washjeff.edu or 724-223-6025.
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Presidents gain a global perspective The Magellan Project started in 2008 under the direction of President Tori Haring-Smith. Its goal was to allow Washington & Jefferson College students to dream bigger and gain self-confidence by achieving things they never thought were possible. “I wanted the Magellan Project to give W&J students the opportunity to write their own stories, stories that will set them apart throughout their lives. With financial and institutional support, students have a chance to learn how to become lifelong learners and global citizens,” said Haring-Smith. “They can dream big and gain the confidence to make those dreams come true. When students return, they tell me, ‘I never thought I could do this, but I did. Now I can do anything!’” The first class of Magellan scholars had 15 students setting off around the globe to complete internships and research projects. As of the summer of 2016, Magellan students have completed more than 400 projects across six of the world’s seven continents. (No one has made their way to Antarctica…yet!)
Carmen Carroll ’19: Strong Girls, Strong World. Kenya, 2016 Carroll set out to be a global citizen and bring awareness to crucial social justice issues in the world through her Magellan, researching the education system and the treatment of women in Nairobi, Kenya.
Elizabeth Bean ’18: Linguistics and the Business of Art. Uruguay, 2015 Bean explored Uruguay’s artist community to see how ceramic artists make a living. She even reached out to and had the chance to meet Uruguay’s beloved former president, Jose Mujica, a man whom she greatly admires.
Chongwhi Yoon ’18: Publicity for Alternative Energy. Spain, 2015 Driven by what he learned in his Introduction to Environmental Studies class, Yoon chose to research the history of alternative energy policy in Madrid, Spain. Madrid is one of the few cities that uses three major alternative energy sources: solar, wind, and nuclear.
Alexandar Tolbert ’18: Cross Cultural Research on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Israel, 2015 Tolbert gained valuable insight into the military and government systems in the Middle East as he traveled across Israel, studying the use of Israeli security forces and their effect on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Miranda Waters ’17: Fair Trade: A Market Based Solution to Social and Economic Issues. San Francisco, 2014 As an international business major and a gender & women’s studies minor with interests in human rights and international development, Waters completed her Magellan studying the coffee industry in California. She worked with Fair Trade USA, a company whose goal is to better the lives and communities of coffee farmers in developing countries.
Jake Meyers ’15: Various projects. 2012, 2013, 2014 The projects these students take on can have a far-reaching impact, not just on their academic journey at W&J, but on their career path. Each summer, dozens of students are spread across the world taking part in their projects, gaining valuable experience, and expanding the international reach of Washington & Jefferson College. Here are a few highlights from the many exceptional projects completed since the start of the Magellan Project: 9
FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
Meyers, a three-time Magellan veteran, spent his summers studying wildlife and the effects of ecotourism in the Galapagos Islands; researching great white sharks in South Africa; and conducting a comparative study of ecotheology across Southeast Asia in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
LeQuira Hutson ’14: Research on How African History Affects Colorism in Banjul. The Gambia, 2013 Hutson fulfilled a childhood dream of traveling to Africa when she embarked on her Magellan. She spent her summer researching how African history affects colorism in The Gambia, a country where she found men and women were going to the extreme lengths to alter their complexions using chemicals.
Damian Bosiacki ’13 and Sean Leehan ’13: various cities, United States, 2012 Bosiacki and Leehan hit the road together, stopping at various cities across the U.S. on their cross-country Magellan trip. Bosiacki completed research on the culture of comedy across the U.S. while Leehan studied advancements in treating pediatric brain cancer.
Thary Chea ’14: Observe NPO On-Site Coordinator and Volunteer with Handicapped Youth. Bolivia, 2012 Inspired by an Intersession trip to Nicaragua and her community service work at W&J, Chea volunteered with the foundation Niños con Valor, an orphanage serving children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Haley Roberts ’14: Medical Research Internship on Granulosa Cell Tumor. New Zealand, 2011 Roberts had the incredible opportunity to study with the world’s leading tumor researchers on granulosa cell tumor, a rare form of ovarian cancer, at the Granulosa Cell Tumour Research Foundation and University of Auckland in New Zealand. Roberts herself was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 16.
Marissa Stevens ’10: Archaeology. Egypt, 2009 Stevens embarked on a Magellan to study Egyptian archaeology firsthand, which has proven a valuable experience as she completes her Ph.D. in Egyptology at UCLA. Stevens has traveled around the world researching funerary papyri and provides historical consulting for television shows, movies, and video games in Los Angeles.
Nicholas Tyger ’12: Medical Mission Trips. Dominican Republic and Peru, 2009, 2010, 2011 Tyger, founder of W&J’s Presidents Without Borders, completed medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic for his first two Magellans. On his third Magellan, he spent time in Peru conducting research for a future mission trip before returning to the Dominican Republic with a group of 10 W&J students. Their relief efforts benefitted over 3,000 men, women, and children in remote barrios near the Haitian border.
Magellan numbers since 2008
$927,000+
in total scholarship funding
400+
scholarships awarded
50+ countries have been visited 85+ internships
“What makes the Magellan Project so unique is that students pursuing a Magellan create these experiences themselves from beginning to end, with the support and guidance of faculty and staff advisors,” said Tyler Tenney ’14, coordinator of co-curricular innovation at W&J. “The experience helps prepare students to set aside fear of the unknown and continue pursuing their passions with confidence, both at W&J and in their future careers.”
How It Works Magellan students typically submit a brief statement of intent the fall before their proposed project. Formal applications are due in February and consist of a project description, personal statement, and budget. Approval is contingent upon the completeness and validity of the project proposal and should exemplify the student’s independence and academic passions. Student applicants have a Magellan Advisor who assists them with creating their research proposal. All projects take place in the summer so as not to interfere with the academic calendar or athletic events, and typically last from three to 12 weeks. Workshops are available throughout the year to help guide students through the application process. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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T
he Magellan Project is a life-changing experience for students. The experiences they have continue to impact their lives and careers long after their project is complete and they have returned home.
Alteah Jappah ’18 PROJECT:
PROJECT:
Jappah built her project around volunteering at a refugee camp, Pikpa, which serves the most vulnerable refugees.
Dougherty combined her interests in French, international business, and beauty products during an internship marketing fine fragrances internationally.
LOGISTICS: spent two months in Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesvos in 2016 MAJOR: international studies
LOGISTICS: spent two months in Geneva, Switzerland,
in 2008 MAJOR: international business and French
The crisis resonated with Jappah (center) because she arrived in the United States as a refugee from Liberia at age 6, though the experience she had was not at all like the fleeing and trauma suffered by the refugees arriving in Greece.
Dougherty (left) also spent a semester abroad at an international business school in France, but her internship was her first time living on her own in a French-speaking country.
Two weeks into her time as a volunteer, Jappah began managing the camp’s social media accounts three days a week and served as a point of contact for potential volunteers. Working with the leaders of the camp and the refugees themselves allowed Jappah to gain firsthand knowledge of both sides of the issue.
“Working with people from different countries and people who speak different languages, you learn to read between the lines of what they are saying to you and understand their body language and their tone of voice and what they are trying to communicate,” Dougherty said.
Jappah had a hard time leaving the camps and the people she had met. “You feel bad because you are coming back to your life and they are staying there. It was really hard,” she said. “You want to help more, but what more can you do?”
Dougherty moved to New York City after graduation and found work at L’Oreal, later transitioning to the agency side of the industry and working with clients such as Redkin and Louis Vuitton in their international markets. She is now an account supervisor at POSSIBLE, a global digital marketing agency, and has worked with brands such as Coca-Cola, Purina, and Wild Turkey Bourbon. She continues to apply the business skills she developed while working internationally.
Jappah hopes to be able to do more international crisis work in the future and would like to pursue a career with the federal government focusing on human trafficking or terrorism. For her next Magellan, she plans to examine the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa as well as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
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Alison Dougherty ’09
FALL 2016 MAGAZINE
“I’ve learned about understanding people’s perspectives,” she said. “It’s really helped me in my business career.”
Bryan Whipkey ’17 PROJECTS: For his first project, Whipkey
united his interests in economics, alpacas, and South America to study natural fibers in the textile industry. For his next Magellan, he went to Europe to talk to EU citizens about their daily experiences and better understand the European Union. LOGISTICS: traveled around in Peru and
Ecuador in 2015; traveled to Spain, Germany, and Greece in 2016 MAJOR: business administration
Whipkey’s mother is from Venzuela and he grew up speaking Spanish at home, but he hadn’t been to a Spanish-speaking country before his first Magellan. “I came home and I thanked my mom for all those years she made me speak Spanish,” Whipkey said. “It’s so different actually having experiences and witnessing things firsthand than reading about something in a book or an article,” Whipkey said. “You don’t understand it as well until you actually go there
and you talk to people and see their perspective on things.” Whipkey plans to go to law school with a focus on intellectual property or international law and wants to keep traveling.
Jarel Settles ’09
Tina Lee ’17
PROJECT: Settles took an internship in digital sales and marketing with Universal Music Group.
PROJECT: Lee immersed herself in her Chinese heritage by exploring food in different parts of the country.
LOGISTICS: spent three months in Los Angeles in 2008
LOGISTICS: spent
MAJOR: business administration
MAJOR: cell/molecular biology major and Pre-Health Program
Settles (center in blue jacket) is originally from Uniontown, Pa., and saw himself settling down in the Pittsburgh area before his Magellan expanded his horizons beyond Pennsylvania. Settles returned to LA after graduation and then attended graduate school in Ohio, earning his MBA. Settles’ next move was to Florida to participate in the Disney College Program, which led him to his current position as manager of recreation at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. “At any given time, it’s like a small city on our campus,” Settles said. “It definitely gets very busy and very hectic, but it’s a lot of fun.” With the wide variety of career possibilities available within the company, Settles sees his future with Disney continuing long-term.
six weeks traveling through China in 2015
Lee traveled more than 1,700 miles during her trip through China, from Beijing in the north to Hong Kong in the south. “It was interesting to experience both the urban and rural sides of China, since such clear distinctions could never be accurately depicted in a textbook,” she said. “China is incredibly diverse in its language and people. I was surprised by the blatant differences in a seemingly homogenous country.” Lee says that her Magellan Project instilled in her a new sense of appreciation for her own culture and a desire to continue exploring it. She plans to become a dentist, working with the Asian community and immigrant populations.
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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A Final Bow
Recognizing the contributions of W&J’s 12th President
On the morning of the photo shoot at the home of Washington & Jefferson College President Tori Haring-Smith, students arrived from all over campus. Time is precious to college students, but many stopped by before their first class even if just for a little bit. Others who were not able to attend because of their schedules sent warm greetings to their President and asked if there was another way they could help out someone who has done so much for them.
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During the shoot, Haring-Smith chats with the students about their current studies, future plans, and high school and college accomplishments. A number of the students have been in musicals and plays and Haring-Smith, a former theatre director, lights up during these conversations. She asks Kenny Clark ’17, who once played Willie Wonka in a musical, if he wouldn’t mind singing something. With just a little encouragement, Clark launches into a beautiful rendition of “Pure Imagination” on the porch of the President’s House while his fellow students enjoy the impromptu performance. This scene on the porch is typical of Haring-Smith’s presidency. She had asked for students to be with her in photos, and it is clear she is at home with the upperclassmen she has known for years and eager to get to know the freshmen who have just arrived on campus. “It really amazes me how in touch Dr. Haring-Smith is with the students here
who is comfortable and confident enough to launch into a performance in front of his peers on a Friday morning with no warm-up. Interacting with students is nothing new for Haring-Smith. She has been talking to students her whole life, starting when she was growing up in Galesburg, Illinois, where her father was a professor at Knox College. She spent sixteen years as a professor at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and was a dean at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, before she came to W&J. As Haring-Smith reached the point in her academic career where she was ready to become a college president, she knew what she was looking for. She wanted to be at a small, private, residential liberal arts college. It was important to her that the professors have meaningful relationships with students that extended outside of the classroom and beyond students’ four years on campus, similar to the environment where she was raised.
“My first strategic goal was to bring the world into W&J and W&J into the world, and I think we’ve been able to do that.” – PRESIDENT TORI HARING-SMITH
at W&J. I think having a president who knows you personally is something special that you cannot find at every institution. She has a unique way of connecting with individuals on campus that lets us know she genuinely cares about us. That’s a great quality to have in a president,” said Clark. Students have been the focus of Haring-Smith’s twelve years at the College. She sees her work during those years personified in a senior like Clark,
After a conversation with Tom Shoup ’75, a member of the presidential search committee and trustee at the time, she knew W&J could be the college where she wanted to be president. “I was the first W&J representative to meet Tori in person and came away with confidence that she knew how to make W&J grow and thrive. More than a good ‘college manager,’ Tori demonstrates traits that W&J espouses: integrity, competence, and contributing to the world,” said Shoup.
“It was very clear [W&J] was a family. That was when I got really interested,” Haring-Smith said. With the similarities to Knox College, “it felt like a place I understood.” When Haring-Smith came to W&J, she knew what she hoped to accomplish and how long she wanted to be on campus: between 10 and 14 years. This would be long enough for two 5-year plans and a campaign, but not so long that she would become blind to new issues the College would face over time. She will have been part of the W&J family for twelve and a half years when she departs in June. She has overcome challenges and been able to move the College in the direction in which she had hoped to see it go. Shoup is pleased with Haring-Smith’s leadership and her impact on W&J. “Tori isn’t afraid to try new things and admit failure when appropriate. She knows how to lead a liberal arts college without turning it into a faux university. Tori’s legacy at W&J will be the permanent strengthening of the College and ‘her’ 3000+ alumni. Thank you, Tori,” Shoup said. For more on her impact in the words of alumni and friends, see pages 17-18. Upon arrival at the College, Haring-Smith benefitted from the work of the previous administration, but knew that there were financial issues that needed attention and that there was room to grow and move forward as an institution. That work began before her first official day as president. Once the finances were back on track, the focus switched to other goals. “My first strategic goal was to bring the world into W&J and W&J into the world, and I think we’ve been able to do that.” Haring-Smith knew one of the first steps was to strengthen the relationship
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between the College and the City of Washington. “We’ve worked hard at that. We’re in each other’s backyards. Like neighbors we rise or fall together,” she said of W&J’s connection with the City.
“This group of alumni and friends is very generous, which is why we have been able to do what we have been able to do. We couldn’t exist today without the kind of support we have,” Haring-Smith said.
Under Haring-Smith’s guidance, W&J has become involved beyond campus borders. Students, faculty, and staff can be found volunteering around town at the Greater Washington Food Bank’s Produce to People program, with the Washington branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters, at the Main Street Farmer’s Market downtown, and more.
The John A. Swanson Science Center, the James David Ross Family Recreation Center, and many other campus improvements, which have come about as a result of alumni involvement and support from the W&J community since 2005, will affect the lives of students for generations to come.
On a global scale, the creation of the Magellan Project, the increase in the number of study abroad programs, partnerships with colleges and universities in other countries, and the number of degree-seeking international students have all been key pieces in the realization of her goal.
Haring-Smith believes nothing that has been accomplished at W&J during her presidency was solely because of her, and she wants others to know that as well.
Haring-Smith also knew that she wanted to increase the College’s profile on the national and international stages. She represents W&J on the boards of a variety of national higher education organizations and serves as chair of the Annapolis Group, an organization representing the leading national independent liberal arts colleges. She has worked diligently to have W&J’s voice heard in the conversations about the current issues facing higher education. Faculty and students are increasingly present at national and international conferences where they present their research to a wide variety of audiences. They are nationally competitive and earn prestigious grants and fellowships across a variety of disciplines. Students and the Washington community aren’t the only groups on which Haring-Smith has focused. Alumni support has been a key component of accomplishing the goals she set at the beginning of her presidency.
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extraordinarily devoted and engaged alumni and friends,” Haring-Smith said. No matter whom she is working with, her focus always returns to the students and how they can make the most of their time in college. Haring-Smith’s concern goes far beyond a general interest in the students’ well-being as a group; she cares about each individual who chooses to enroll at W&J. The goals she set for the College were focused on the complete W&J experience, such as maintaining a diverse population where students can learn from faculty and peers with opposing viewpoints and differing backgrounds. She wants them to have a friendly campus atmosphere where they can be comfortable and become part of the College community. She has worked to make sure they have the ability and encouragement to achieve their goals and to dream bigger. “I want people to remember that here was someone who was really focused on the
“[W&J] is like my family. I can’t imagine doing a second presidency.” – PRESIDENT TORI HARING-SMITH
“I’m very pleased with the progress we’ve made. It’s what we did together that’s really important. It’s really a group effort and people have to recognize that it’s a group effort.” For more on Haring-Smith’s time as president, see pages 19-20. “I think that the new president will be exceptionally lucky to have such dedicated faculty and staff and
students and who cared about them in every conceivable way,” she said. “Every freshman that comes in is important and they all contribute in their own way.” Haring-Smith herself is an integral part of creating a hospitable environment. She is present at events for future students and makes herself available to field questions and talk to parents. She can be found having lunch with students in The Commons or writing the Washington
Fellows handbook with members of the honors program she founded. She has even been seen playing frisbee at the Labor Day picnic. Students are welcome in her home and, if you see her around them, it is clear they are comfortable around her; they know the president of the College is interested in what they have to say. She knows the students’ stories, their concerns, and their dreams, and isn’t afraid to let them know if she thinks there is more they could be doing to get where they want to go. She stays in touch as students become alumni and is no less invested in their futures after they leave campus. Their successes are her successes; this will be the legacy of her presidency and what she carries with her as she moves on to her next endeavors. “[W&J] is like my family. I can’t imagine doing a second presidency,” Haring-Smith said. Haring-Smith is a person who likes to keep moving. She travels internationally on a regular basis and has lived abroad. Throughout her career she has spent time as a professor, a fundraiser, a theatre director, and an administrator. “I’ve always done things very intensely and then done something else,” she said of her life’s path. After her retirement Haring-Smith will be moving to her home in New
Hampshire. She has plans to work on several books about historical events as seen through the eyes of those who experienced them. Like those who came before her, she will move from being an active presence on campus to becoming a part of W&J’s storied history. In fact, Haring-Smith aims to complete a book on the history of the College before her departure. The impact of Haring-Smith’s work at W&J is felt through the new buildings on campus, deeper community connections, and a larger national and international presence. Soon another president will be living in the house where students feel free to stop by and use the kitchen, or walk into the living room and toss their bags on the floor, immediately at ease, and her successor will take W&J into its next chapter. Haring-Smith feels that the current state of the College puts it in a strong position to attract a new president. “In many ways, presidents come and go, but you have a faculty member who is here for 40 years. They are very much the backbone of the institution,” she said. The faculty, senior administrative team, and staff were a large part of what drew her to W&J initially and are what allow her to move on with faith in the future of the institution. Their leadership will aid
the College through the transitions that come with a new president. Haring-Smith firmly believes that college is a conversation. All the interactions students have during their years on campus are part of their education, from one-on-one interactions with professors to late-night discussions with their peers. Of all the undertakings in the last twelve years, Haring-Smith considers something that may seem unremarkable to others to be a visual representation of what she aimed to create. When she first arrived, she was shocked at the lack of places to sit on campus. She remedied this problem with something most may now see as an iconic part of W&J. “In many ways I feel like the Adirondack chairs are my mark on campus. Those chairs represent what the College is,” she said, while noting that facilities staff may be tired of her hounding them to make sure the chairs are always in groups, ready for people to sit down and have an exchange of ideas. Even though Haring-Smith will be leaving campus next summer, her presence will be felt by anyone who pulls up an Adirondack chair to chat with a friend or professor on a beautiful day, benefiting from her enduring wish to create a place where they feel that they belong.
Professor Jason Kilgore chats with seniors from his Biology 412 class on the lawn outside of the John A. Swanson Science Center.
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“
The Impact of a President
Tori, for years, told the story at admission events of seeing me at a W&J women’s soccer game at Alexandre Stadium supporting the team in the rain. My memories of Tori will similarly be focused on her “presence” at College events…talking with students and parents at admission events, stopping by athletic events between endless meetings, working with students in the Washington Fellows program, telling stories of the College history at Convocation, Matriculation, and Honors Day, and meeting with countless alumni over the years at Homecoming and on the road. That presence certainly has been appreciated and will be missed. — Timothy Klitz, Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
Although I hate to see her go, Dr. Haring-Smith should rest assured that the legacy she leaves behind will be long-lasting. Her eloquence and dedication to affording spectacular opportunities to W&J students pushes everyone on campus to take that extra step away from “good enough” toward “exceptional.” The programs (e.g., Magellan Project and Washington Fellows Honors Program) that she has instated have helped me and countless other students to develop as more than just scholars; she has fostered an environment that challenges us to think widely and think deeply in an increasingly global society. — Jordan Hosfelt ’19
STUDENT, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
‘Tireless’ is the word, to me, that best describes President Tori Haring-Smith. I’ve seen her meet with students at a late hour, catch an early-morning flight to visit a donor who wants to help a student by making a gift, and then return to campus to do it all over again the next day, all with the same fire and energy. The best college leaders approach their work as far more than simply a job. Tori’s presidency is punctuated by the focus and dedication of one truly called to this work and W&J is better for it. — Michael P. Grzesiak
VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
I consider Dr. Haring-Smith a mentor and confidant. In my junior year, she encouraged me to enter a national competition through Glamour Magazine. We exchanged e-mails at 2 a.m. over word choice in my application essay and how my resume looked. I was competing against students from Ivy League schools, but Dr. Haring-Smith always had faith in me. When I became a finalist, she helped me prepare for my interview, and even though I ultimately did not win, the experience showed me just how deeply Dr. Haring-Smith invests herself in the success of W&J students. Because of her, I thrived at W&J. Roberts and Haring-Smith decorating the President’s Office for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in 2012.
— Haley Roberts ’14
HEALTHCARE QUALITY ANALYST
Tori Haring-Smith’s belief in W&J, her vision, and her tenacious leadership have given us a stronger, more diverse student body; a strategically chosen, more efficient administration and staff; a broader and more supportive alumni body; a fortified endowment; and remarkable enhancements to the physical plant. I believe in the philosophy, “Leave things better than you found them.” Tori will leave Washington & Jefferson College so much better than when she found us. — Louise Kirkpatrick Ross ’74
TRUSTEE, WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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On behalf of the Washington & Jefferson College Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Haring-Smith for her exemplary leadership. She has demonstrated unwavering dedication to W&J and to our students. She has resurrected the rich history, traditions, and activities of our College and brought those to the forefront again while instituting changes that make W&J globally connected and financially strong. It has made us proud as alumni and as a Board. — Richard T. Clark ’68
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
Zanders and his daughter with Haring-Smith as he receives the Outstanding Young Alumni Award during Homecoming 2015.
When I met Dr. Haring Smith during her interview process, I received the warm impression only a mother can give, while walking away motivated by the vision of a bold leader. This versatile woman continued to leave unforgettable impressions on me, from advising my Rhodes Scholar application process, to going with the flow when I gave her an impromptu hug on stage at my graduation, to even comforting me during an emotional speech during the young alumni award reception dinner. One day I will share her story with my daughters to illustrate one’s ability to impress everyone they meet. Zanders (left) with Haring-Smith and other alumni award winners during Homecoming 2015.
Not only has Tori been an exemplary leader and passionate advocate for Washington & Jefferson College, but she has also been recognized by her peers for her leadership abilities. Tori has held prominent positions in numerous presidential organizations including serving as the chair of the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). In that capacity, she helped shape the policies promoted by Pennsylvania’s private college and university sector. She also beautifully articulated the strengths of private higher education and the benefits of need-based student aid. — Don L. Francis
PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES OF PENNSYLVANIA (AICUP)
— Tony Zanders ’07
”
VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT, EBSCO INFORMATION SERVICES
Tori Haring-Smith is widely admired as a great college president, a fine teacher, and a committed scholar. What may be less visible to the W&J community is that she has also been a notable national leader, helping both to articulate and to exemplify a 21st century vision for liberal learning that applies to all students, and not just to those lucky enough to attend a fine liberal arts college. She was a very important partner to me when I headed the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), which is the leading national organization working to ensure the vitality and centrality of liberal education across all sectors in higher education. Through her work with AAC&U, she also was an incredible mentor to leaders from hundreds of different colleges, universities, and community colleges. — Carol Schneider
PRESIDENT EMERITA, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (AAC&U)
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Growth and change at W&J President Tori Haring-Smith’s 12 years at Washington & Jefferson College have been marked by a number of changes to campus and growth across a wide variety of areas.
Opportunities for students • Since 2005, the number of study abroad programs has increased tenfold, from four to forty. Sixty-two percent of students travel or study abroad at some point during their four years. • Graduate programs returned to W&J in 2016. Currently three programs of study are offered: applied health care economics, professional writing, and professional accounting. • The Washington Fellows Honors Program was established for exceptional students who are interested in challenging themselves throughout their time at W&J. The program, founded in 2014, stems from the long tradition of honor societies at W&J. The program goes beyond the academic curriculum and encourages students to establish their own learning communities, develop leadership skills, network with distinguished campus guests, practice their public speaking, and serve their community. • The Magellan Project was created in 2008 to provide financial and institutional support to students pursuing independent research and internships. More than 400 scholarships have been awarded and students have traveled to more than 50 countries around the world for their projects. • The new Conflict and Resolution Studies concentration provides interdisciplinary and international perspectives on the causes of conflict and the possibilities of resolution. The concentration courses embrace the study of interpersonal, intergroup, and societal conflicts in different cultures across the world. Exploration of resolution strategies, social justice issues, and leadership qualities are features of the concentration, which was first offered in 2014.
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“Be a President” campaign The “Be a President” campaign celebrates the diversity of W&J’s student body and their accomplishments and captures the interest of prospective W&J students so they can see themselves as future Presidents.
Expanding the reach of W&J • W&J has increased its ties with the City of Washington: students, faculty, and staff can be found volunteering around town. Some of the strongest connections are with the Greater Washington County Foodbank’s monthly Produce to People program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh’s Washington office, and the Main Street Farmers Market. In recognition of this increased cooperation, Haring-Smith has received keys to the City of Washington. • W&J students now regularly contribute more than 30,000 hours of community service during the school year. W&J was admitted to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014. (2015 and 2016 are pending.) W&J has been named a Lead Advisory Institution for the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators’ Lead Initiative on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement for five consecutive years. • The student-led organization Presidents Without Borders makes annual medical mission trips to global areas that are generally underserved and underrepresented. • Haring-Smith serves with several national organizations including: the American Council on Education’s Commission on Internationalization (chair), the executive board of the Association of American Colleges & Universities, the president’s council of NCAA Division III, the Annapolis Group (chair), and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (past chair). She also co-founded the Pennsylvania Consortium for the Liberal Arts, a group of 11 colleges in the state that work to improve the academic
and social cultures of their campuses, contain costs, and serve as a voice for liberal arts in Pennsylvania. • W&J has partnered with Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University in Gujarat, India, to bring students to campus and allow them to learn from W&J’s liberal arts tradition, as well as have cultural experiences in the surrounding area. The College has also participated in the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program, which allows Brazilian students in STEM fields to study in the United States for a year.
Center for Energy Policy and Management The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management (CEPM) was founded in 2012. It is dedicated to fostering the development of energy policy that has a place for all energy sources and promotes economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts. In pursuit of this mission, the CEPM conducts original research, hosts open lectures and workshops on a wide variety of energy-related matters, and convenes industry leaders, scientists, and policymakers to engage in constructive dialog on important energy issues.
Changes on campus • There have been several new buildings added to campus, including the John A. Swanson Science Center, the Janet Swanson Tennis Center, and the James David Ross Family Recreation Center. Old Main, Dieter-Porter Hall, and residence halls have undergone renovations. Upgrading the U. Grant Miller Library is among the next series of improvements planned for campus. • Digital news information screens have been added around campus to help students stay in the know with on-campus events and activities. Visit www.washjeff.edu/wj-at-a-glance to learn more about W&J.
• Public art has been added to campus, including sculptures of a coal miner and of Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, a tree carving, and “1970,” an abstract sculpture commemorating that year’s changes at W&J. • The Pet House now allows students the opportunity to live with their furry and feathered friends on campus. Other themed communities on campus include the International House, the STEM House, and the Quiet Study house. • Record numbers of alumni have signed up to give back to their alma mater as volunteers in recent years, particularly in the areas of alumni mentoring, career services, and admission.
Revival of history and traditions • New freshmen and transfer students are welcomed to campus with an annual matriculation ceremony that was first enacted by Haring-Smith when she greeted the freshman class in 2005. The event concludes with students walking across the College seal in Old Main, officially becoming Presidents. • The Whichi Coax “college yell” dates from 1892 and was based on the noises made by frogs in Aristophanes’ classic Greek comedy. The college fight song “Good Ole W&J” comes from the 1920s. Both are part of the matriculation ceremony. • Haring-Smith is working on completing a book on the history of Washington & Jefferson College before she leaves in June 2017.
Finances • Annual fundraising has exceeded $10 million since 2011. An Uncommon Bond: The Campaign for Washington & Jefferson College reached its goal of $100 million and is still going strong. • When Haring-Smith arrived, cash reserves were at $700,000. They now exceed $27 million. Standard & Poor’s rating for the College is A- and has been confirmed annually. • The endowment has increased from $62 million in 2008 to $137 million in 2016.
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W&J
sports
W&J sports Father and daughter share bond through athletics as coaches at W&J If you’ve spent any time around Washington & Jefferson College’s assistant defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Bill Gallagher ’79, you’ve heard him say it. If you’ve spent a little more time around Bill Gallagher, you’ve probably been called it. If you’ve spent your whole life with Bill Gallagher as your father, as W&J women’s basketball coach intern Maeve Gallagher has, you know what “it” means all too well. Horse. That’s what “it” is. But what exactly does “horse” mean to Bill? Maeve explains it as: “someone you can ‘ride on,’ someone you can depend on.” It has become a badge of honor around the W&J Athletics Department to have Bill Gallagher call you “horse.” It means he trusts you. It means you are important to him. Maeve has long been a horse to Bill, and they’ve shared a bond through athletics for much of her life. Bill was a successful high school football coach for decades and is a former national high school coach of the year. His 2002 team at Perry Traditional Academy in the Pittsburgh City League recorded an impressive 13 consecutive shutouts. Bill was lucky enough to spend his last two seasons as the associate head coach at his high school alma mater, Seton LaSalle. 21
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“I have always looked at coaching as teaching. I always received much more than I gave kids.” – BILL GALLAGHER ’79
Maeve was the first Gallagher to become a coach at W&J, at the start of the 2015-16 school year. After a standout career as a three-sport athlete at Point Park University, she accepted a graduate assistant soccer coaching position at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. But the proud Brookline, Pennsylvania, native longed for western Pennsylvania and believed her future was in basketball. As luck would have it, a close friend used to work for W&J women’s basketball head coach, Jina DeRubbo, and that friend talked with Maeve and DeRubbo when a position opened up.
Maeve had a feeling that the experiences she would have at W&J could benefit her in a variety of ways. “Having a chance to work under someone with Coach DeRubbo’s resume was something I knew would benefit me on and off the court and that’s proven to be 100 percent true,” she said. Maeve had always wanted her father, a lifelong high school educator, to try coaching at the collegiate level. Once she was on campus at her father’s alma mater, she had the opportunity to put the wheels in motion for her father to make the move and become a college football coach.
Bill Gallagher ’79 speaks with defensive lineman Torre Carr ’17 and Ryan Snedeker ’17 (23), along with fellow assistant coach Rich Piccinini at a recent practice.
“I guess Maeve felt like she owed me one. She had lunch with [W&J football Head] Coach [Mike] Sirianni and had some discussions that came to bear fruit,” Bill said. Maeve has always joked with her family that she was her dad’s favorite child because of the bond created through sports. She grew up going to football camp with her dad and the team in the summer. After suiting up and going through drills with the team for years, Maeve decided in eighth grade that she wanted to play tackle football. “I was sort of against it, but I didn’t want to come out and say it,” said Bill. “But my wife Nancy said, ‘let her play, let her play.’ So we did and she played for the Brookline Knights her eighth-grade year. It was pretty cool to watch.” Maeve, who played soccer, basketball, and softball at Point Park, chimed in, “I
Maeve Gallagher discusses strategy with W&J women’s basketball coach Jina DeRubbo during a time out last season.
was pretty good too.” As the pair shares a heartfelt laugh, the bond between them becomes even more evident.
He’s also a proud W&J alumnus who truly values the college experience he was able to have.
The elder Gallagher has thought about what it means to return to his alma mater. “I told the kids my favorite movie is ‘The Lion King.’ It’s like the circle of life. I thought it was a pretty cool way to finish out my coaching career,” Bill said of returning to coach on the field where he played his college games.
“This was such an awesome institution to attend. I think the [NCAA] Division III experience is so cool. I’ve always said that graduating from W&J makes you like a renaissance man. You’re experienced in everything and you become a lifelong learner,” Bill said.
“I have always looked at coaching as teaching. I always received much more than I gave kids. I worked with all types of kids and backgrounds…and when you get to work with them you get to see an awful lot of the good in people, and that’s the enjoyment I get from it.” All along, Bill has never forgotten where he came from. He’s proud to be from the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
The relationships he developed were also a valuable part of his time as a student. “I was also able to meet really dear friends to me that have been so for almost 40 years. We still stay in touch and get together. There’s tremendous loyalty through thick and thin here.” For Bill, there’s only one word to describe those people: horse.
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Women’s golf and lacrosse teams end seasons on a high note The spring of 2016 brought a pair of team championships to Washington & Jefferson College. The women’s golf team earned its second straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference title, and the women’s lacrosse team claimed the first league crown in program history by winning the Ohio River Lacrosse Conference championship. For the second consecutive year, the women’s golf team won the PAC title by more than 100 strokes and head coach Matt Kluck, MPGA, was honored as the league’s Women’s Golf Coach of the Year. Jocelyn Sudar ’17 was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after earning a four-stroke win over 72 holes. By virtue of its PAC championship, the ninth for the squad since 2001, W&J qualified for the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships for a successive year. The 2016 championships were held at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, and saw the Presidents finish 20th nationally. Michelle Klein ’18 and Kaitlyn Vogel ’18 led the Presidents by finishing in the top 100. The women’s lacrosse team finished the 2016 campaign on a 12-game winning
Kaitlyn Vogel ’18 chips onto the green at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, during the 2016 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships.
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streak that culminated in a 13-11 championship victory over defending ORLC champion Saint Vincent College at Alexandre Stadium. Four Presidents were named to the all-tournament team: Ashley Bulger ’16, Diana Harvey ’16, Michaela Mulokey ’17, and Caroline Kallos ’18. Following the 13-4 overall season that saw W&J go 8-0 in the conference and outscore their league foes 100-45, head coach Alison Valerio was named the ORLC Women’s Coach of the Year, while Kallos garnered Defensive Player of the Year laurels. It was the second straight season Kallos earned a major award after she claimed the Newcomer of the Year honor in 2015 as a freshman. Bulger, Monica Ewansik ’17, Katelynn Linthicum ’17, and Mulokey all joined Kallos on the ORLC First Team.
The 2017 season will be the first with an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship tournament for the ORLC, with W&J looking to repeat as champion and reach the national tournament for the first time. Michelle Klein ’18 watches one of her drives at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, during the 2016 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships.
W&J Athletics unveils new brand After months of research and preparation, Washington & Jefferson College Athletics revealed its new brand July 6, 2016, exclusively on WTAE-TV during the 6 p.m. news. Developed by New York City-based branding firm SME, which counts among its recent clients the Atlantic Coast Conference, Kentucky Derby, LA Galaxy, LPGA, Miami Marlins, Pac-12 Conference, and UFC, the W&J Athletics brand includes new primary and secondary logos, along with a wordmark and sport-specific images. “This is an exciting time for W&J Athletics,” said Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. “I would like to thank SME for the company’s creativity and strategy during this process. Our committee considered valuable input from students and alumni to help us build an athletic logo program that encompasses the vast and rich history of
The W&J women’s lacrosse team celebrates after its 13-11 victory in the 2016 ORLC championship game.
this athletic department but also keeps an eye towards the future.” The brand will continue to be rolled out in phases over the coming years as it is integrated into the athletic facilities expansion and renovations, added to team uniforms in line with the College’s uniform replacement policy, and implemented throughout social media and web platforms. Additionally, apparel and merchandise with the new brand hit the W&J Campus Store shelves this fall.
“We believe that our new athletics brand is something that our students, both present and future, as well as alumni, will embrace and celebrate,” said Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students Eva Chatterjee-Sutton. “SME once again showed why it is among the best organizations in its field while presenting a brand which we believe will reinforce the pillars of the W&J community.”
Making their mark W&J Athletics rolled out several new logos this summer as part of its rebranding efforts. Here’s a little bit about each of the three main brand elements:
PRIMARY MARK The W&J Primary Mark will serve as the most universally recognized identity element.
WORDMARK The Wordmark introduces two stars that represent W&J’s two presidential namesakes, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The two stars also represent the core values of W&J NCAA Division III student-athletes as they represent the Red & Black: pride and prestige. These stars can be found on each element of the brand, with the exception of the Primary Mark.
SECONDARY MARK The Secondary Mark can be used by W&J Athletics as a complementary identity element to the Primary Mark or in place of the Primary Mark. This incorporates the much-recognized tower logo of the W&J brand with the Wordmark.
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sports
W&J alumni
homecoming 2016 Friday evening set the tone for the weekend as alumni, many sporting full red and black attire, arrived back on campus to reunite with beloved friends and classmates. From the Welcome Back Reception and President’s Homecoming Dinner to the football game and tailgating celebrations, the weekend’s events showcased the emotional connection many alumni have to Washington & Jefferson College. In that true spirit of W&J tradition, the weekend kicked off with a full house for the annual Welcome Back Reception. Alumni gathered to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and awaited the announcement of this year’s reunion Class Cup winner. Terry Evans ’70, member of last year’s winning class, took to the podium to introduce the 2016 winner. With an impressive 31 percent class participation and more than $76,000 raised to support the work of the College, the Class of 1971 took home the coveted cup. Friday evening continued at the President’s Homecoming Dinner. President Tori Haring-Smith was greeted with
heartfelt thanks for her past 12 years of leadership, while alumni award winners, Joshua Jeffries ’02, Karen Lynn Valihura ’85, and Scott Leaf ’76, were honored for their impressive contributions to their professions, their communities, and their alma mater. The non-stop energy and school spirit generated during Friday’s events led into Saturday where the crisp fall air provided the perfect combination for tailgating and football. Alumni and their families filled their bellies at the Tailgate Lunch before gathering at Cameron Stadium to cheer on the Presidents. The game ended with a nail-biting double overtime victory against Carnegie Mellon University, 55-52. The weekend concluded with one last party “under the tent” as the entire college community came together to celebrate the Presidents’ win at the Fifth Quarter festivities. Homecoming once again proved to be a successful celebration of the past, present, and future of the College. It is a time for alumni to feel proud of where they started – and how far they’ve come.
Save the date to join us for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, October 20 & 21, 2017!
3 1 2
1 The world’s tiniest President stopped by the football game to cheer the Presidents on to a victory over Carnegie Mellon. 2 Evan McDonough ’17 and Abby Brewer ’17 were named the 2016 Homecoming King and Queen. 3 Lindsey Mitko ’06, Jamie Babyak ’06, and Marcy Pol ’06 show off their photo booth photos during the Fifth Quarter celebration. 4 Beloved professor, Nick Cavoti, Ph.D., shares a few laughs with attendees at a special reception following this year’s psychology lecture. The event was held in Cavoti’s honor after he announced he would be stepping down after 32 years as the chair of the Department of Psychology. 5 President Tori Haring-Smith chats with alumni during the President’s Champagne Brunch, a new addition to the 2016 event lineup that honored Haring-Smith for her 12 years of leadership. 6 Dionne Foster-Lynch ’95, Penny Green ’93, and Matthew Johnson ’94 pose for a photo
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during Fifth Quarter after the Presidents defeated Carnegie Mellon. 7 Young alumnae share a laugh and some popcorn during the Tailgate Luncheon. 8 The Class of 1971 came together to celebrate their 45th Washington & Jefferson College reunion. In honor of this milestone, the class raised $76,280 to support the College and took home the coveted Class Cup with an impressive 31 percent total class participation. 9 Stephen ’88 and Joelynn Koury pose for a photo before joining friends under the tent. 10 Associate Professor of Biology Jason Kilgore leads alumni on a special tour that highlighted the many unique trees on campus. 11 Dave Jones ’81, Cheryl Leydig ’81, Liz Griffin ’81, and Tom Westenberger ’81 reminisce over photos from their college days. Members of the Class of 1981 celebrated their 35th reunion this year. 12 Future Presidents armor up to fight off crime during the family-friendly Tailgate Luncheon. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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Alumni recognized for contributions to their communities Each year, the Alumni Executive Council selects a group of Presidents who, through their personal and professional accomplishments, have made an exceptional contribution to their communities and industries. This year’s alumni award recipients serve as role models to current students and fellow alumni alike. The achievements of Karen Lynn Valihura ’85, Scott H. Leaf ’76, and Joshua N. Jeffries ’02 were honored with a special celebration during the President’s Dinner during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.
ALUMNI AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT
The Honorable Karen Lynn Valihura ’85 When she was in high school, The Honorable Karen L. Valihura ’85 applied to only one college. It was the alma mater of her father, Carl Knox ’56, O.D., and home of her older brother, Kevin Knox ’84. That institution was Washington & Jefferson College. Valihura quickly made a name for herself as a hardworking and dedicated student, graduating not only as an economics and political science double major, but as valedictorian of her class. In the years since her time at W&J, Valihura has given the same level of dedication to her community and her career as an attorney. Delaware Governor Jack Markwell was one of many who recognized Valihura’s impressive qualities, describing her as “an attorney of uncommon skill, intelligence, and integrity,” and nominated her to the Delaware Supreme Court in 2014. “It should be no surprise that upon my confirmation, one of the first calls I made was to W&J and Dr. (Joe) DiSarro, in particular, to tell him the news. He was kind enough to attend my investiture,” said Valihura.
Before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Valihura was a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she had practiced law since 1989. Her practice in complex commercial and corporate issues included federal and state securities fraud claims, mergers and acquisitions, and fiduciary duties of directors. Due to her preeminence in the field, Valihura has been consistently selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America. Valihura has served on the Advisory Board of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and as chair of both the Delaware Supreme Court’s Board on Professional Responsibility and the Delaware Supreme Court’s Permanent Ethics Advisory Committee on Delaware Rules for Professional Conduct. She also served on the Corporation Law Council of the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware Bar for eight years. Additionally, Valihura has played an active role in her community as a member of the board of directors for the Delaware Special Olympics for 18 years and as a member of the Delaware Bar Foundation for eight years. Valihura received her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School where she was a member of the Law Review. She served as a law clerk to Judge Robert E. Cowen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
To nominate an alumnus/a or friend of the College for an award, please fill out a brief nomination form at www.jayconnected.com/alumniawards. 27
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Scott H. Leaf ’76, DDS Scott H. Leaf ’76, DDS, is proud to have been a member of the W&J family for the last 40 years. As a student, he majored in chemistry, joined the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, and participated on the men’s tennis team. Leaf claimed the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title in fall of his senior year after going undefeated in league play. After graduating from W&J, Leaf attended Georgetown University School of Dentistry where he earned his dental degree. In 1983, he graduated from Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and began his lifelong career in pediatric dentistry. Leaf opened his first dental practice in Springfield, Va. Within a few years, he opened a second practice in Burke, Va., from which he continues to provide dental care. Leaf ’s fond memories of his time on campus have stuck with him through his post-W&J life. As an alumni mentor, Leaf regularly hosts summer interns at his dental office. A student’s time with Leaf isn’t limited to just shadowing; he mentors and coaches his students, both professionally and personally. Leaf also serves on his reunion committee and is dedicated to keeping his classmates involved with their alma mater. Through the years, Leaf has remained best friends with his fraternity brother and roommate, David White ’76, and together they created the White Leaf Scholarship Fund. Designed to be awarded to a student at the end of his or her freshman year, the scholarship helps a student who is committed to W&J and may need assistance funding the additional years of college.
As a lifelong member of the John McMillan Society, Leaf ’s generosity does not stop with the scholarship. Leaf recently dedicated a tennis court at the new Janet Swanson Tennis Center in support of An Uncommon Bond: The Campaign for Washington & Jefferson College. Previously, he participated in the foundation of the John A. Swanson Science Center. OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD
Joshua N. Jeffries, ’02 Joshua N. Jeffries ’02 truly immersed himself in the Washington & Jefferson College experience. He completed a double major in business administration and psychology, while also participating in the entrepreneurship program. Outside of the classroom, Jeffries was a member of the men’s soccer team and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Jeffries began his insurance career after graduating from W&J. “Since graduation, Joshua has been a serial entrepreneur in the insurance industry,” Justin Reay ’02 said of his classmate. After five years as an account executive for the Employee Benefits Group, Jeffries founded IHR Advisors Inc., a consulting firm focused on the integration of self-funded employee benefits and human resource information systems technology for mid-size employers. In 2010, IHR Advisors Inc. merged with Arkin Youngentob Associates, where Jeffries now serves as a partner and leads the firm’s health and welfare practice, focusing on the design, financing, and administration of corporate employee benefit programs, HR information systems, ACA compliance, and virtual care solutions.
speaker at national conferences, such as DigiBenefits and Employee Navigator, and at local conferences in Washington, D.C. Jeffries received his Senior Professional in Human Resources designation in 2007 from the Society of Human Resources and earned his MBA from the University of Maryland Smith School of Business in 2011. His dedicated and hardworking nature extends into his community. Jeffries has served as chairman of the board of the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy and is an active board member of both Mercy Health Clinic and RescueGroups.org, a nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost technology services to the animal welfare community. Jeffries remains active in the W&J community, serving as a career services and regional volunteer.
Jeffries founded AY Information Systems in 2014 and, in 2015, launched Employee Protector, an innovative virtual care platform. He has been a featured
Travel to England with W&J! The W&J alumni travel program offers rich experiences and unlimited opportunities to connect with like-minded and intellectually curious alumni, faculty, and friends. These journeys are packed full of popular attractions, specially arranged cultural experiences, and perspectives from talented faculty and knowledgeable local guides. If you enjoy discovery, education, and lively discussion, join us for a memorable excursion!
HISTORIC LONDON, ENGLAND TRIP
DATE: June 2 – June 10, 2017 | CONTACT PERSON: Patricia ’74 and Richard Easton COST & ITINERARY: www.jayconnected.com/london17
Come discover the best of London alongside veteran planners Patricia ’74 and Richard Easton. This nine-day excursion will delve into the heritage of one of the world’s most influential and exciting cities. Upon arrival, alumni and friends will enjoy a coach tour of the city ending in Regent’s Park, home to the beautiful Queen Mary’s Rose Garden. While abroad, travelers will experience three theatre performances, including one at Shakespeare’s Globe. The trip also offers a variety of extras, including a boating excursion on the Thames River to Greenwich, a pub walk to the most historic pubs in the city, and a one-week travel pass on the underground and buses to make certain you don’t miss a step. This trip is ideal for both experienced London travelers as well as those who have never been!
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BOND An Uncommon Bond Campaign unites donors in support of W&J’s vision An Uncommon Bond: The Campaign for Washington & Jefferson College launched five years ago with a goal of raising $100 million. It may have seemed ambitious at the time, but with the generous support of the W&J community, the campaign met the $100 million goal in April 2016 and has continued to exceed expectations. The campaign was extended for an additional year following President
Memorial Gymnasium and swimming pool upgrades.
Tori Haring-Smith’s retirement announcement, in honor of her leadership and accomplishments during her 12 years at W&J, and will conclude June 30, 2017. During her tenure at W&J, Haring-Smith worked to expand the reach of the College beyond the classroom and throughout the world. Part of the campaign’s extension will be to fund the Dr. Tori Haring-Smith Grants for Uncommon Students, an endowed fund that will permit exceptional students to reap the benefit of extraordinary 29
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opportunities to enhance their learning experience outside of the classroom. The campaign continuation also will help fund ongoing renovations to campus buildings, including updates for athletic facilities and the library. The James David Ross Family Recreation Center construction is ongoing with anticipated completion in early 2017. The Janet Swanson Tennis Center was completed in September 2015. Future phases for the athletic facility expansion will focus on renovations to the Henry
The U. Grant Miller Library renovation will transform the library from a print-based research facility into an Information Commons with a focus on meeting the needs of today’s students. The renovation will create spaces for individual and group study, provide improved accessibility to library services and staff, and allow students to engage with the latest technology. There is still time to join the ranks of thousands of alumni, parents, and friends who have supported W&J during this campaign. To learn how to become part of An Uncommon Bond, please contact Lori Weaver at (724) 223-6545 or lweaver@washjeff.edu.
CLASS NOTES 31 Alumni News 34 Weddings 35 New Additions 35 In Memoriam 38 Friends
Photo by Jakob Locante ’19 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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class notes
1950
1964
1968
Warner Schlaupitz won three gold medals in the Senior Olympics in the 90 to 95 age group. At age 92, he won gold in the 100m dash, weight lifting, and the 5km cycling event.
Charles K. Bens, Ph.D., has been nominated for the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2030.
Robert A. Stein has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Stein, an attorney with The Stein Law Firm PLLC, has been listed in the areas of family law, commercial litigation, and product liability-plaintiffs.
1958
Henry Gelband, M.D., retired after 44 years at the University of Miami and is now a professor emeritus of pediatric cardiology.
1963 Ronald Snee was recently honored with the American Society for Quality’s Distinguished Service Medal for his lifetime contributions to the quality profession. Snee is the founder and president of Snee Associates, LLC, a firm dedicated to the successful implementation of process and organizational improvement. Before he entered the consulting field, Snee worked at DuPont for 24 years in a variety of roles. He serves as an adjunct professor in the pharmaceutical programs at Temple University and Rutgers University.
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1966
Jeffrey Siger’s eighth novel in his international best-selling Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series, “Santorini Caesars,” was published in September 2016. Siger serves as an adjunct professor of English at Washington & Jefferson College, teaching mystery writing.
1967 Ed Belfoure opened a small-batch craft distillery, Red Pump Spirits, LLC, on Main Street in Washington, Pa., in March 2016. Guests who visit the tasting room can enjoy a variety of products produced by the distillery, such as Blue Parrot Premium Vodka, Washington Cherry Liqueur, Jefferson Peach Liqueur, and Rebellion Rye Whiskey.
1969
Patrick D. Sculley, D.D.S., M.A., retired major general, United States Army, retired as senior vice president of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). He received numerous recognitions upon his retirement including being named dean emeritus of the Postgraduate Dental College of which he was the founding executive dean; being awarded the University Medal, the university’s highest award for service to the USUHS; and receiving the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Civilian Service. The USUHS Board of Regents Award for outstanding dental resident will be presented annually in his name.
1970 Pat Benic and his brother, Tom Benic ’67, attended the White House Press Christmas Party in December 2015 where they had their picture taken with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Jack W. Reich, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Renova Therapeutics Inc., was recognized as one of two Entrepreneurs of the Year at W&J’s 29th annual Entrepreneurial Leadership Dinner in January 2016. Reich has been a leader in the biotechnology industry since its early days in the 1980s. He was a founding officer of Gensia Inc. (now known at SICOR Inc.) and co-founded Viagene, the first gene therapy company. He went on to found and run Collateral Therapeutics, the first gene therapy company focused on cardiovascular disease. More recently, Reich co-founded Renova Therapeutics Inc. and has been its CEO for six years. He is developing single-use gene therapy products for major chronic diseases, such as congestive heart failure and Type 2 diabetes.
Bruce Wolf and his wife, Sheryl, hosted a reunion at their home on Cape Cod, Mass., Aug. 12-14, 2016. Those pictured in the back row are (left to right) Irvin Ungar ’70, Neal Halpern ’68, Irwin Kalson ’69, Jeffry Young ’69, Jeffry Schapira ’69, and Larry Weber ’69. Pictured in the front row are (left to right) Keith Bendis ’68, Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, Bruce Wolf ’70, Lou Kapner ’68, and Pete Falion ’69.
1973 David Lentz, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati, was named a 2015 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
1974
Daniel Britton graduated summa cum laude from Biola University with a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics. He is engaged as an apologist both locally and on the road, teaching students of all ages how to defend the Christian faith. He is working on a book, as well as his doctorate.
Jeffrey L. Weaver has been appointed vice president of certifying board services for the American Osteopathic Association in Chicago. He leads the department that operates 18 specialty boards providing board certification and continuous certification for the profession of osteopathic medicine. He was recently awarded the Robert A. Koetting O.D. Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement by the St. Louis Optometric Society.
1986
John Koch, LTC, retired from the United States Army Jan. 31, 2016. He currently resides in Budapest, Hungary, with his wife, Barbara, and son, Tobi.
1981 Bernadette M. Luketich-Sikaras received the Croatian Woman of Influence award in Zagreb, Croatia, on March 8, 2016, from the Croatian Woman’s Network for the advancement, dialogue and education of and about women’s issues throughout the world. Luketich-Sikaras was elected as national secretary/treasurer of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America (CFU) in August 2014. CFU, located in Wilkins Township, Pa., is the 17th largest fraternal benefit society in North America with assets of over $450 million.
1982
Mark Jodon’s poetry book, “Day of the Speckled Trout,” was published by Transcendent Zero Press. The book is available on Amazon.com.
James W. Kraus, of the law firm Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick, & Raspanti LLP, was named to the 2016 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list.
1988
Barbara Lange, executive director of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), accepted a Special Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizing SMPTE’s century-long contributions to the advancement of motion picture standards and technology in February 2016. She also accepted an Emmy in January 2016 on behalf of SMPTE for its work on “Standardization and Pioneering Development of Non-Live Broadband Captioning.”
1994
Matthew Johnson is in the process of launching his new business. Johnson’s B.A. in business administration and minor in entrepreneurial studies helped him lay the foundation for launching his new business, Neats Flatware Wipes. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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class notes
1998 Michael Bosch joined Twin Tier Hospitality, LLC as vice president of human resources in July 2015. Twin Tier owns and operates 17 hotels with 1,200 employees throughout the northeastern United States. Frank B. Kosir, Jr., an attorney at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, was named a 2016 Rising Star in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers.
1999 Justin Parkin and other alumni gathered together Jan. 3, 2016, to cheer the Steelers to victory over the Browns and clinch a playoff Wild Card. Alumni present were Jarod Stragand ’02, Jeremy Stragand ’02, Jason Sedlemeyer ’02, Ashlee Pompa Sedlemeyer ’04, Jenny Lazorchak Dee ’04, Paul Dee ’02, Nick George ’02, Corrine McCoil George ’03, Angela Morascyzk Srsic ’02, Kristen Morascyzk Lesako ’03, Mike Lovgren ’01, Jayson Hobbs ’00, Joe Morascyzk ’01, and Tina Beam Morascyzk ’03.
Colleen Shipman’s debut novel, “Eerie,” was published Dec. 15, 2015, under the pen name C.M. McCoy.
2001 Rachel K. Lozosky was selected as a new partner at the law firm Peacock Keller. She concentrates her practice in education and employment law and serves as solicitor for numerous public school districts. Lozosky is a member of the W&J Alumni Pre-Law Advisory Committee and Alumni Executive Council.
2003 Michelle A. Mantine has been promoted to partner at Reed Smith LLP in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. She is a member of the firm’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group, focusing her practice on competition and antitrust. Tony J. Thompson, a Meyer, Unkovic & Scott attorney, was the recipient of the Young Leader Award given by the Homer S. Brown Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association. He also was named to the Rising Stars list in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers.
2004
Mauri Peyton was named a 2016 Rising Star in Florida by Super Lawyers.
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Zachary Puhala became the executive chef of Washington and Lee University in April 2016.
2005
Erica Cox was promoted to academic counselor for the Office of Academic Support at Mercyhurst University. Jonathan Flickinger, J.D., was named an HR Rising Star by Human Resource Executive magazine in May 2016. The national award, given to just five recipients a year, recognizes extraordinary leadership in the field of human resources. He also received the Game Changer Award from Workforce Magazine, honoring the top 25 human resource executives under 40, in July 2016. Nathan Roberts, D.O., was inducted into the Fellowship of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons in the fall of 2016. Dr. Roberts is board certified in general surgery and is currently employed as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Oklahoma State University.
2006
Scott Heyl, M.D., is joining Genesis Medical Associates and his father, Dr. Louis Heyl ’74, at Heyl Family Practice in West View, Pa. Scott Heyl will be a third-generation family medicine practitioner. Julie Arbore Moore has been promoted to member of the firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. Moore focuses her practice on labor and employment law, including litigation in state and federal
courts throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and in various aspects of employer counseling and training.
2015. Following graduation, she accepted a job as an online content manager for the College of Business at Clemson University.
Thomas Prutz, D.O., accepted a position as an internal medicine hospitalist at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pa.
Karen Kormuth defended her dissertation at Carnegie Mellon University and had a first-author publication from her dissertation work published in the journal “Biochemistry.”
Stephen Schlauch was elected as a school director for the Plum Borough School District. His term runs from 2015 to 2019. Ashley Deihl Stremme won the Mrs. United States Competition in Las Vegas Aug. 4, 2016. She competed on behalf of Victory Junction, an organization that enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camp experiences.
2007
Capt. Rebecca Barrett Schapira, D.O., United States Air Force, completed her tenure as the chief of residents for quality improvement and patient safety at San Antonio Military Medical Center. This is a position held by only one physician in the United States Military annually. She was selected from a competitive pool for the Air Force’s single slot for the Allergy/ Immunology fellowship that started in July 2016.
2010
Ryan D. Breen, Esq. of the Breen Law Firm, LLC was elected to the board of directors for the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber. He also serves on counsel for the Allegheny County Bar Association in the Criminal Litigation Section. Bethany Haberstroh graduated from Clemson University with a Master of Arts in Professional Communication in May
Zac Talmadge participated in a 10-week fundraising competition for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fund a research grant in memory of his father, who passed away in 2014 from a rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Albert Varacallo and Josip Lucic-Jozak ’09 competed in “The Basketball Tournament” as part of the DuBois Dream team in Philadelphia, Pa.
2012
Dara Gold graduated cum laude from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service. Gold used her W&J theatre experience to produce an original musical she wrote for the Capital Fringe Theatre Festival titled “How To Be The Perfect Wingwoman.” Donnelle Jageman accepted an associate position at Veralon, a recent merger of the healthcare consulting firms DGA Partners and Heath Strategies & Solutions, in Philadelphia, Pa.
2013
2016 Maureen McRae has accepted a position as guest house and events assistant at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. Veronica Aboujaoude accepted a position as marketing director for Vigilant Wealth Partners, LLC in coordination with XXI Century Financial. In addition, she is working toward obtaining her financial advising license with ambition to provide financial advising services.
WEDDINGS
2008 Christine Muha and Ryan Vandervort were married Oct. 16, 2015. Christine’s best friend and classmate, Ruby Klashman, helped the couple celebrate their wedding day.
2009 Tom McIntyre and Chelsea Marshall ’10 were married June 25, 2016.
Thomas Starr’s company Hungry Harvest aired on ABC’s hit series “Shark Tank” Jan. 8, 2016. Rebecca Hendricks graduated with a juris doctor degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in May 2016. She sat for the Florida Bar in July 2016 and is seeking employment in the field of immigration law.
Steve Mort and Elizabeth Adamski ’12 were married May 16, 2015. Chrissy Brandt Cenkner ’11, Shelby Colyer ’12, Meghan Patrick ’12, and Jack Prudence ’12 were in the wedding. WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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class notes Corey Peck and Maggie Gibson ’10 were married June 18, 2016.
2010 Matthew Seefeld and Sarah Radocay were married Oct. 17, 2015.
2011
his maternal grandmother Billie Eaves ’80, uncle Phil Eaves ’08, aunt Heather Eaves ’08, great-uncle Jeffry Betler ’77, Katie Bonatesta ’10, and Zack Bonatesta ’09. Lynne Szarnicki Rau and and her husband, David, welcomed their son, Henry David, March 6, 2015.
2005 Gregory Panseri and Alexandra Bartosh Panseri welcomed their fourth child, Santina Rae, Oct. 19, 2015.
Chad Boskat and Amber Spin ’13 were married June 3, 2016. Alumni in the bridal party included Morgan Ross ’12, Pat Denecke ’10, Michael Hill, Mark Pleiss, and John Tokarski ’13.
1998
Thomas Prutz and Victoria Martin Prutz welcomed a daughter, Karina Rose, Oct. 10, 2015.
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2012 Cory Thoma and Anna Thoma welcomed their first child, Avery Jane, Feb. 27, 2016.
IN MEMORIAM
2008 Michelle Stano Wiley and her husband, Timothy, welcomed their first child, Mikala Rose, Feb. 21, 2016.
Joshua Andy, Ph.D., and his wife, Brittany, welcomed their second son, Sawyer Lee, Aug. 27, 2015. Sawyer has many connections to W&J including
Eric Chimenti and his wife, Kelli Deighan Chimenti, welcomed their first child, Sarah Elise, Sept. 13, 2015.
2006
NEW ADDITIONS
2004
2010
Dana Drexler Allen and her husband, Brent, welcomed their first daughter, Camilla Analynn, Jan. 1, 2016. Steve Wein and Erika Wein welcomed their daughter, Clara Rose, June 17, 2015.
Cristi Knopsnider Work and her husband, Ryan, welcomed their first baby girl, Hadley Elizabeth, Oct. 27, 2015.
1930s Joseph B. Biss ’37, Washington, Pa., died April 5, 2016, at age 101. He was employed at B.F. Drakenfield as a lab tech. He was also a member of the Washington Generals semi-professional football team that won the American Conference Championship in 1936.
1940s John F. Lembke ’40, Dedham, Mass., died Jan. 26, 2016, at age 98. He was a retired U.S. Coast Guard commander, serving during World War II and in the reserves for many years afterward. After a lengthy career in banking in New York, he retired to Florida and later moved to Massachusetts.
Robert C. Stewart ’42, West Hartford, Conn., died Nov. 29, 2015, at age 94. During World War II, he served as a combat infantryman in France and Germany with the 109th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. After his service, Mr. Stewart joined the mathematics department of Trinity College in Hartford.
the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 at the end of World War II and was present at the war crimes trials in Japan. He served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1955, leading to a lifelong interest in flying. He maintained a successful Ob-Gyn medical practice in Adrian, Mich., and delivered more than 6,000 babies during his years of practice.
Paul H. Weinstein ’43, Bloomfield, Conn., died March 24, 2016, at age 93. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he became an owner of Weinstein Mortuary, Inc., in Hartford, Conn.
Rev. Robert K. Shaffer ’49, Lutherville, Md., died March 12, 2016, at age 88. He served churches in Pennsylvania and West Virginia before moving to Maryland where he was pastor of Havenwood Presbyterian Church in Lutherville for 16 years. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces during World War II and served in the Philippines. He was later chaplain for the 135th Maryland Air National Guard and retired with 30 years of service as a chaplain lieutenant colonel.
Rev. Robert E. Johnson ’45, Montclair, N.J., died April 10, 2016, at age 94. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served as an ensign in both the Pacific and European theaters. Rev. Johnson left the ministry in 1977 to consult in the field of senior and community housing. Joseph H. Field ’46, M.D., Los Gatos, Calif., died Nov. 8, 2015, at age 90. He served in the Navy as a surgeon during the Korean War. After the war, he moved to California and set up his practice as an orthopedic surgeon, later specializing in hand surgery. Dr. Field was an associate professor at Stanford Medical School. Carmel J. Passalacqua ’47, Sarasota, Fla., died March 4, 2016, at age 90. He was employed by the Army Corp of Engineers in Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Fla., and Sacramento, Calif. Rev. James S. Irvine ’49, Ph.D., Medford, N.J., died Jan. 9, 2016, at age 88. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister at First Presbyterian Church in Altoona, Pa., in 1952. Rev. Irvine worked as the associate librarian at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1966 through 1998 and was a member of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, N.J., from 1966 to 2004. Thomas Jordan ’49, Lehigh Acres, Fla., died Jan. 24, 2016, at age 90. He served in the Air Force as a tail gunner in World War II. Mr. Jordan owned Dave’s Wholesale Foods in Pennsylvania. Francis A. Locke ’49, M.D., Napa, Calif., died Jan. 20, 2016, at age 88. He served in
Theodore Zuckerman ’49, Paradise, Calif., died Oct. 30, 2014, at age 88. Mr. Zuckerman was a veteran and served in the U.S. Navy on two different tours and was a news editor while in the armed services. He started an import company that was a major supplier of home décor materials in the U.S. and abroad with many outlets and warehouses throughout the country. He traveled the world on many occasions doing business internationally.
1950s Harold L. Brock ’50, Houston, Pa., died April 6, 2016, at age 92. Mr. Brock enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class on the USS Jarvis in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. He was employed at the Observer Reporter Publishing Company for over 40 years. Walter E. Kimmick ’50, D.D.S., Jenner Twp., Pa., died Feb. 8, 2016, at age 89. Dr. Kimmick was in the dental practice for 65 years in the Churchill and Somerset County areas and was the head dental instructor at the University of Pittsburgh for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War.
Samuel R. Jampetro Jr. ’50, Moon Twp., Pa., died Jan. 20, 2016, at age 84. Mr. Jampetro was a dedicated W&J football fan. Andrew C. Turney ’50, Atlantic Beach, N.C., died Feb. 5, 2016, at age 90. Mr. Turney joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and reached the rank of Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class, serving on the USS MacDougal during World War II. In 1968, he formed his own insurance agency in the Cleveland area. He retired in 1985 and moved to Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., where he was an active member of the Pine Knoll Shores volunteer fire department, reaching the rank of chief. Bob Watson ’50, Hilton Head Island, S.C., died March 5, 2016, at age 89. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. Mr. Watson owned and expanded Watson Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Inc. in Export, Pa. James D. Lowe ’51, New York, N.Y., died June 2, 2016. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Honolulu and Baltimore. His career included being director of public events at the Campbell-Ewald Advertising Agency, the National Council on Alcoholism, the National Heart Association, and director of development at New York Presbyterian Hospital. John Gerald Brodie ’52, Port Orange, Fla., died Jan. 1, 2016, at age 86. Robert Lev ’52, M.D., Brooklyn, N.Y., died April 27, 2016. Martin R. Lyon ’52, Greenwich, Conn., died Aug. 17, 2016, at age 85. Richard E. Easler ’53, M.D., O’Hara Township, Pa., died March 27, 2016, at age 85. Dr. Easler served as a Lieutenant Commander of the U.S. Medical Corps from 1962 to 1964 at Bethesda Naval Hospital. In 1968, he joined the Western Pennsylvania Hospital’s pathology department. He taught medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and retired in 1995 after 27 years of service. M. Carl Herron ’53, Upper St. Clair, Pa., died Dec. 13, 2015. Mr. Herron WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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was inducted into the Trinity High School Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked as general manager of international transportation for Alcoa and as president of Bauxite & Northern Railway Co. Richard C. Foster ’54, Washington, Pa., died Aug. 8, 2016, at age 83. Mr. Foster served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He worked at Atlantic Refining Company in Johnstown, Pa.; RCA in Washington, Pa.; and as an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company before retiring from the company after 20 years of service. He owned and operated his family farm in Buffalo Township, Pa., for more than 55 years. Ronald R. Cochran ’56, Washington, Pa., died Jan. 15, 2016, at age 80. Mr. Cochran served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1963. His employment career began as a salesman for Hanover Shoes. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Cochran served as a financial consultant for Jim Eubanks Trucking in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Lawrence J. Curran ’56, North Andover, Mass., died May 7, 2016, at age 82. He was a journalist who specialized in technical writing for magazines such as “Electronics,” “Byte,” and “Mini-Micro Systems,” advancing to the position of editor-in-chief by the end of his career. He served his country in the U.S. Army. William E. Henry ’57, Honolulu, Hawaii, died Aug. 6, 2016, at age 80. Mr. Henry served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 until he retired as a commander in 1986. He served in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1965 and his service included assignments aboard the destroyer USS R.L. Wilson, the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy, and at several duty stations throughout the United States and in London, England. He was awarded a number of medals for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal twice. Harry D. Johnston ’58, D.O., McConnellsburg, Pa., died March 15, 2016, at age 79. He was a general practitioner in his hometown for nearly 46 years. 37
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1960s George H. Allen III ’60, Tyrone, Ga., died March 24, 2016, at age 79. He had a career in industrial sales and management and was a patent holder and business owner at Corr-Trol International. He also served as chief of several volunteer fire departments and was a chaplain at Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. David M. Dodd ’60, Brockway, Pa., died April 9, 2016, at age 85. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War on the USS FDR. Mr. Dodd retired from Owens-Brockway Glass and had previously served as an EMT at the Brockway Ambulance Service. Nicholas A. Pascuzzi Jr. ’60, East Liverpool, Ohio, died May 21, 2016, at age 78. He taught at Canon-McMillan Jr. High School from 1960 to 1967 and spent the next 48 years in construction. He was the founder and co-owner of New Dominion Construction for 17 years until retiring in June 2015. David M. Toney ’60, M.D., Greensburg, Pa., died Jan. 29, 2016, at age 77. He served as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam and was awarded two Purple Hearts. He was a radiologist at the former Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg for 28 years. Philip R. Bronner ’61, M.D., Bakersfield, Calif., died July 1, 2016, at age 76. Dr. Bronner specialized in child, adolescent, and family psychiatry. He practiced in Torrance, Calif., for nearly 20 years, and later practiced in Ventura and Amador Counties where he worked in the California Youth Authority with at-risk youth. He started a company, Kern Valley Railway, to share his love of model trains with others. Joseph G.C. Francis ’62, Nashville, Tenn., died Dec. 25, 2015, at age 75. Mr. Francis was employed as an investment broker for over 40 years and retired from Wiley Brothers, Inc. Robert J. Roma ’62, M.D., Decatur, Ill., died May 5, 2016, at age 75. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Dr. Roma practiced for 30 years at St. Mary’s Hospital, where he served as chief of radiology. Phil Delmer ’64, Wellington, Fla., died Jan. 3, 2016, at age 73. He was an engineer and salesman by trade and worked for Westinghouse and several other Pittsburgh companies. He was a longtime Mount Washington, Pa., resident. Michael E. Browning ’65, Boston, Mass., died Feb. 22, 2016, at age 72. Larry M. Hyde ’66, Bear, Del., died Feb. 15, 2015, at age 69. He worked as a marketing analyst at Delmarva Power for 31 years until his retirement. Will MacMillan ’66, Burbank, Calif., died Dec. 2, 2015, at age 71. He played the heroic leader of the band of holdouts fighting the military in George A. Romero’s 1973 epidemic thriller, “The Crazies.” Mr. MacMillan specialized in playing authority figures and appeared in such films as “The Enforcer” (1976) opposite Clint Eastwood, Robert Zemeckis’ “Used Cars” (1980), Oliver Stone’s “Salvador” (1986), and Jonathan Kaplan’s “Bad Girls” (1994). The veteran actor also had guest-starring stints on TV shows such as “The West Wing,” “Matlock,” “Hunter,” “NYPD Blue,” “The Greatest American Hero,” “Little House on the Prairie,” and “Three’s Company.” On the local stage, MacMillan co-starred in “Brigadoon” with Charles Durning in Pittsburgh, in “1776” with Gary Beach in Sacramento, Calif., and in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” with Cathy Rigby in La Mirada, Calif. MacMillan served as artistic director of the Psychic Repertory Theatre, which toured the country for children with special needs, from 1976 to 1990. He directed and executive produced the independent film “Destiny Trail.”
Clifford C. Evans ’67, D.M.D., Darien, Conn., died Dec. 9, 2015, at age 70. He served two years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps and practiced for 39 years with Stamford Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.C. Dr. Evans was active at Stamford Hospital, serving on the Medical Board of the Stamford Surgicenter and as past chief of the Dental Department. Stephen S. Corrigall ’67, Cumming, Ga., died Jan. 23, 2016, at age 70. Mr. Corrigall worked in the insurance industry and achieved his Chartered Property Casual Underwriter designation. Earl William Bugaile ’68, Washington, Pa., died June 5, 2016, at age 69. He was employed at KQV as a news anchor since 2006, and had worked at several area radio stations and written for many news operations. He spent more than 20 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and served as information officer for the local unit. Gary Gentile ’68, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Feb. 28, 2016, at age 69. Mr. Gentile was a founder of the law firm Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, PC, and a well-known divorce attorney. He began his legal career as an assistant public defender for Allegheny County and was eventually chief counsel for the homicide division. He later became the youngest executive director of a major housing authority in the United States when he led the Allegheny County Housing Authority. Daniel B. Kennedy ’68, Champaign, Ill., died Feb. 11, 2016, at age 69. He served his country in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era as a helicopter pilot and flight instructor, attaining the rank of captain. He practiced child and family law for the last 20 years of his career. He contributed articles to the Journal of the American Bar Association and “Life” magazine, among others, and was an adjunct professor in the schools of Law and Social Work at the University of Illinois.
Edward Jay Koblenz ’69, Long Branch, N.J., died Jan. 4, 2016, at age 69. He attended medical school in Brussels, later studying at Brookdale Community College, and pursued a path as a paralegal until retiring.
1970s
Richard W. Carnahan ’73, Beaver, Pa., died Aug. 7, 2015, at age 64. Mr. Carnahan retired in 2014 as the manager of Shenango China Area Credit Union in New Castle, Pa., where he had continued to work as a consultant. Charles F. Houghton Jr. ’74, Harrison, N.Y., died June 2, 2016, at the age of 64. His banking career began at Irving Trust Company and ended with his retirement from Bank of America. Mr. Houghton was chairman of the board of Cardinal McCloskey Community Services, an organization for at-risk children and families, and had served on the board for nearly 20 years. He was a regular volunteer for the Westchester Cancer Support Team and Meals on Wheels at St. Vincent’s Hospital. William W. Marlett III ’74, New Eagle, Pa., died Dec. 8, 2015, at age 63. In 1974, he entered Officer Candidate School and spent the next 20 years serving in the U.S. Air Force. He retired as a fighter pilot, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served in Operation Desert Storm flying numerous missions and received many medals and commendations. Peter Barszczowksi ’75, M.D., New Wilmington, Pa., died Feb. 25, 2016, at age 65. Dr. Barszczowksi was a well-respected physician in New Wilmington for many years. Mark E. Schweers ’75, McCandless, Pa., died March 10, 2016, at age 62. He worked as special education teacher at Pine-Richland High School for nearly 14 years. Mr. Schweers was inducted into the North Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 for his pursuits in football and wrestling.
1980s Joel K. White ’84, Indian Head, Pa., died Nov. 19, 2015, at age 52. Mr. White had been working as a glazier for Fox Glass Co. in Uniontown, Pa.
2000s
Christina Marie Neely Tenney ’00, Fredericktown, Pa., died Jan. 2, 2016, at age 37. She had worked at various jobs, including lab technician, telemarketer, and certified nursing assistant.
FRIENDS Bruce A. Bishop Sr., Southern Pines, N.C., died Jan. 23, 2016, at age 73. Mr. Bishop was a graduate assistant football coach at Washington & Jefferson College. He began his first career as a publicist for the Oakland Raiders, and later moved back to Pittsburgh to join his father-in-law’s asphalt company, eventually buying 43rd Street Concrete and Supply. He had a career as a stockbroker, a wholesaler, and later, a manager. Albert Cheiffalo Jr., Washington, Pa., died May 21, 2016, at age 63. He was a maintenance worker at Washington & Jefferson College until he retired in July 2007. Millie A. Crouse, Washington, Pa., died Nov. 23, 2015, at age 94. She moved to Washington in 1949 when her husband, Dr. Stephen Aldrich Crouse, joined the faculty of Washington & Jefferson College where he was chairman of the political science department. She assisted him in his educational, civic, and church activities throughout their 69 years of marriage. Rita Finley, East Liverpool, Pa., died Jan. 11, 2016. She had been a district manager of Alden’s catalog order offices in Chicago. She was married to Charles Laughlin Finley ’51, former chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Potters WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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Bank & Trust Company in downtown East Liverpool. Mr. and Mrs. Finley were members of the Old Main Society of Washington & Jefferson College. Frank F. Gigler Jr., Lower Burrell, Pa., died June 5, 2016, at age 87. Mr. Gigler was the founder of the Frank F. Gigler Funeral Home in Lower Burrell. Mr. Gigler played center for the Mississippi State and University of Miami football teams, and played for the semi-professional Creighton Tigers. He had enjoyed watching his grandson, Frank F. Gigler IV ’12, play football for Washington & Jefferson College. Sally Keen, Arlington, Va., died June 21, 2016, at age 80. She and her business partner, Ellen McGill, founded and ran College Search, a company dedicated to helping high school-aged students in Southwestern Pennsylvania gain admission to colleges and universities around the country. She was a co-founder and tutor for the Literacy Council for Southwestern Pennsylvania. For many years she accompanied groups of Washington & Jefferson College students on study abroad trips in Europe. She shared the College’s Distinguished Service Award with her husband Bill Keen, professor emeritus of English at W&J. Patricia J. Gonze Morrow, Eighty Four, Pa., died March 26, 2016, at age 69. She was married to Dean C. Morrow ’68, a retired Washington & Jefferson College math professor.
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Paul E. Nagy, Pittsburgh, Pa., died May 7, 2016. Mr. Nagy was a retired college administrator from Washington & Jefferson College. Mr. Nagy served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. Stephanie Odle, Houston, Texas, died April 11, 2015. After she married Dr. David Odle ’59 in 1961, she devoted her life to her family, marriage, faith, and community. She was a part of the Jewish community where she championed early childhood education and caring for congregants in varied ways. In recent years, she brought hope and encouragement to others as a volunteer at M.D. Anderson and Houston Hospice. Ada E. Rossin, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Nov. 17, 2015, at age 90. She was married to Peter Charles Rossin, a Washington & Jefferson College emeritus trustee, for 57 years until his death in 2003. She was a member of the Washington & Jefferson College Old Main Society & Lifetime John McMillan Society. Mary A. Scanlon, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Dec. 12, 2015, at age 85. She was a former French professor at Washington & Jefferson College and frequently served as a substitute teacher for the Mt. Lebanon School District. Mrs. Scanlon was a piano accompanist for ballet classes at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Point Park University, and École de Ballet. Rachel L. Shaffer, Markleton, Conn., died Nov. 14, 2015, at age 42. She was married to Terry Shaffer ’94. She was employed at Seven Springs Resort and was an EMT for the Seven Springs Fire Dept. Thomas F. Tutty IV, Arlington, Va., died March 1, 2016. He was employed by Lifting Gear Hire. He attended W&J from 1997 to 2000. Jeanne Woodard, Washington, Pa., died Nov. 28, 2015. Mrs. Woodard was the mother of Professor Emeritus Susan Woodard, Ph.D., and a pianist and teacher. She answered the emergency call of the American Red Cross to assist with injured World War II combat returnees then overwhelming hospitals near Mitchell
Field, and her volunteer service was widely recognized. In 2001, Mrs. Woodard moved to Washington, Pa., where she truly loved being part of the Washington & Jefferson College community. David F. Ward, Washington, Pa., died Dec. 25, 2015, at age 59. Mr. Ward was a graduate of The New York School of Design. He worked in New York City for Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill as an interior designer and had the opportunity to travel for projects in Saudi Arabia and Amsterdam. On his return to the U.S., he left New York to reside in Anaheim, Calif., to work for Disneyland as an art director in the entertainment department. Robert B. Wharton Jr., Amity, Pa., died Dec. 25, 2015, at age 78. Mr. Wharton served his country in the National Guard and worked in the metallurgical lab at Washington Steel Corp. for more than 30 years.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
FEB.
20
2016 DAY OF GIVING HIGHLIGHTS
$68,000 raised to support W&J students
427 total
donors
83 gifts
made by
GOLD (graduates of
the last decade)
Help us reach new heights on Feb. 20!
RedBlackGiveBack Day
Show your #RedBlackGiveBack pride this Presidents’ Day, Feb. 20, on Washington & Jefferson College’s Annual Day of Giving.
www.jayconnected.com/RedBlackGiveBack
1-866-WNJ-FUND (1-866-965-3863) WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE
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Washington & Jefferson College 60 South Lincoln Street Washington, Pennsylvania 15301-4801
MOVE-IN DAY AT W&J Student move-in crew volunteers were on hand to make the moving process easier for the Class of 2020 as they arrived at their dorms.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 1183