S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

WCAMPUS COMMUNITY

ELCOMESDR. BOTZMAN & FAMILYInauguration and events to honor 13th president … Page 31

S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Restoring History:New cross overlooks historic archway … Pages 21-23

WCAMPUS COMMUNITY

ELCOMESDR. BOTZMAN & FAMILYInauguration and events to honor 13th president … Page 31

T he campus community officiallydedicated the Frank and DorotheaHenry Student Lounge on

Wednesday, May 1 to acknowledge thephilanthropy and generosity of theHenry Family.

The newly renovated 2,100-square-footbuilding is being named in honor ofFrank M. and Dorothea Henry. Mrs. Henryserved the University as a trustee from1980-86. Mr. Henry is the CEO of MartzTrailways, a historic motor coachcompany that was founded in 1906 by hisgrandfather, Frank Martz, Sr., in Plymouth,Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Henry’s son, Scott, is thepresident of the company.

Mr. Henry has been at the helm of thefamily-owned company since 1964. Inthat time, the company has grown toinclude six major motor coach companiesspanning the east coast from New YorkCity to Florida. The company also ownsand operates a travel agency inWilkes-Barre, Pa., for air and cruiseservices, as well as the coach companiesof Gold Line/Gray Line sightseeing inWashington, D.C.; National Coach BusCo. and National Coach Works Trailwaysin Fredericksburg, Va.; and Gulf CoastGray Line and First Class Coach Co.Trailways in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla.

The couple’s philanthropy is knownthroughout northeastern Pennsylvania asthey have supported endeavors for thebetterment of higher education andquality of life issues. The Council for

Advancement and Supportof Education presentedMr. Henry with theSeymour Preston Award in2000. At GeisingerWyoming Valley MedicalCenter, the Henryssupported the constructionof the Frank M. &Dorothea Henry CancerCenter, as well as ongoingenhancements to thestate-of-the-art health carefacility. At WilkesUniversity, the couplesupported the constructionof the Henry StudentCenter. Mr. and Mrs. Henryalso are ardent supportersof Wyoming SeminaryPreparatory School and theNEPA Philharmonic.

Formerly known as Black Top Lounge,the 1960s era building was renovatedcompletely for about $200,000 in orderto accommodate the needs of a growingcampus population and the need foradditional office space. The2,100-square-foot, one-story loungereceived a comprehensive facelift,including a new roof, new windows, newfurniture and new heating and airconditioning system. Henry Loungefeatures a kitchenette for students, aswell as café tables and chairs, twoseparate living-room styled seating areasand one 55-inch flat screen television.

The facility, located near Rosenn Plazaand adjacent to the Banks Student LifeCenter, is connected to the University’swireless network and features a chargingstation for laptop computers and twonewly renovated bathrooms. It alsohouses the offices for the multiculturalstudent outreach coordinator and thestudent affairs and community standardscoordinator.

The Henrys have three children, FrankJr., Scott and Marjorie Henry Marquart,who received a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in elementary education, magnacum laude, from Misericordia in 1983.The Henrys also have nine grandchildren.

Ceremony marks dedication of Frank and Dorothea Henry Student Lounge

Misericordia University officially dedicated the Frank and DorotheaHenry Student Lounge on May 1 to acknowledge the philanthropyand generosity of the Henry Family. Participating in the dedicationceremony, from left, are Marjorie Henry Marquart ’83, FrankHenry, Dorothea Henry, Scott Henry and his son, Scott Henry.

Facebook.com/MisericordiaAlum

Facebook.com/MisericordiaUniversity

Twitter.com/MisericordiaU

Twitter.com/MisericordiAlum

YouTube.com/MisericordiaU

Misericordia.edu/mutodayextended

Storify.com/MisericordiaU

Pinterest.com/MisericordiaU

Maintain Your Misericordia

C O N N E C T I O N S

Linkedin.com/groups/Misericordia-Alumni-1416127

Stay connected at www.misericordia.edu/social

Summer 2013 Volume XV, No. 2

6

At Misericordia, spring is a timefor addressing the needs of theunderserved.

Misericordia Today is published by the Officeof Marketing Communications

Misericordia University301 Lake St. Dallas, PA 18612-1090

ADMINISTRATION

Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D.President

Susan Helwig, M.S.Vice President, University Advancement

Mari P. King, Ed.D., M.P.A., A.A.S.Vice President, Academic Affairs

Eric R. Nelson, M.B.A.Vice President, Finance and Administration

Barbara Samuel Loftus, Ph.D.Vice President, Planning, Assessment, Research

Jean Messaros, RSM, M.S.Vice President, Student Affairs

Jane Dessoye, M.S.Executive Director, Enrollment Management

MISERICORDIA TODAY STAFF

Jim RobertsDirector, Marketing Communications

Paul Krzywicki, Editor Assistant Director, Marketing Communications

Marianne Tucker PuhallaStaff Writer

ONLINE

Read this edition and other publications produced by the Office of Marketing Communications online at:www.misericordia.edu/publications

For bonus material, please log on to MisericordiaToday Extended at: www.misericordia.edu/MUTodayExtended

HONORS

Misericordia Today is a winner of a2013 bronze CUPPIE AWARD fora Public Relations-Media Relations-Community Relations Project.

Gabrielle Giello ’13, aGovernment, Law and NationalSecurity graduate, spearheadeda drive to collect gently usedprom dresses and accessoriesfor about 200 children whohave or have had cancer.

ON THE COVERMisericordia University is planning an Inauguration Ceremonyfor the 13th president on Nov. 15. The event will feature aseries of events all week and culminates with the inaugurationof Dr. Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D. On the cover, Dr. Botzmanposes with his wife, Vanessa, and daughter, Gabriela.

Have a story to share? Contact Misericordia Todayby calling (570) 674-6372 or by e-mailing ateditor@misericordia.edu.

13

Congenital amputee givesback to profession that aidedher development.

14

OT students, faculty assistat annual HASD WinterOlympics event.

18

Penn and MU researcherscollaborate on cutting-edgeresearch and technology.

Misericordia Today is published in February and August byMisericordia University. The magazine is distributed for free to alumni,parents and friends of the University. To request a subscription, pleasecall (570) 674-6764. Postmaster: Send address changes to AlumniOffice, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612-1090. CopyrightMisericordia University 2013.

37

4 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

Charisms spring to lifeAs I write this, I’ve just completed my first full week at

Misericordia University. It has made me think about the challengesfirst-year students face, especially during their first few weeks oncampus. Fortunately, I was able to experience and see firsthand theMisericordia way on June 28-29 when our new first-year familiesvisited campus for summer orientation.

Personal attention has long been one of the staples of aMisericordia education. That one-on-one attention students receivefrom faculty members enables them to succeed inside and outsideof the classroom. It also teaches them something else – theimportance of helping and working with others. That gift was on fulldisplay during our orientation programs.

Staff, faculty and students who were involved in the planning ofthe programs packed days with activities, fun, and learning aboutMisericordia. It was rewarding to see our new students interactingwith our current students, staff and faculty members to learn moreabout MU and all that it has to offer. We talked about academicprograms, future careers, roommates, campus, weekend activities,our great cookies, building relationships, and hundreds of otherinteresting topics.

In a single day, the new students made friends, arranged theircourse schedules, and thought about how it will be to live awayfrom their parents for the first time. Many of them spoke of howmuch they are looking forward to starting the next chapter of theirlives, both academically and socially. They are an impressive group,with strong academic credentials, serious career aspirations, athletictalent, and a generous desire to give and to serve others.

With this being my 24th year in higher education, you couldeasily assume that the issues orientation programs address areroutine to me. My wife, Vanessa, and I, though, are experiencingthe same range of questions and emotions as other first-yearfamilies. Our daughter, Gabriela, is preparing for her first year as acollegian in Ohio, where she will be studying elementary education.While Gabi has been around various college campuses her entirelife, this time she won’t be coming home to us each day.

Nonetheless, we still share both the excitement and the concernsabout this new chapter in our lives. We have come to appreciate thefaculty, staff and students at Gabi’s new college, as they haveexhibited the same caring and understanding traits of MU. In theend, it makes our family even prouder to know we are joining theMisericordia community and sharing simultaneously the sense ofpurpose and welcoming that our 440 first-year students alsoare experiencing.

As I reflect back on my first week at Misericordia, what shinesthrough the most in the orientation process is how our newstudents recognize that they are going to be part of a very specialcommunity that instinctively welcomes and serves others. Myfavorite part of the orientation program was when four of ourreturning students, Arthur Dowell, Shannon Joyce, RobertRomagnolo and Zachary Sabaday talked about their personalexperiences with the four charisms of the Sisters of Mercy: Mercy,Service, Justice and Hospitality.

They were able to bring to life examples of how they havechanged and grown during their time at Misericordia. I am certainall of our first-year students – including me – will soon be able totell similar stories about how MU’s tenets leave a lasting impact oneach of us and those around us.

LE

TT

ER

FR

OM

TH

E P

RE

SID

EN

T

President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D.

5

magination is powerful. It helpspeople to see what is possible and tofeel fortunate about their past.

Trisha ’07 and Sean Collins ‘07donated to the Pursuit of Acclamation effortby sponsoring a locker and paving stone atthe John and Mary Metz Field House. Afour-year starter and two-year captain onthe lacrosse team, Sean imagined what afield house would bring to Misericordiabefore he was a student here.

“When I was in high school touringcampus, coach Jim Ricardo talked aboutplans to build a facility even then,” saysSean. “When I was a student, we usedthe Anderson Center for early seasonpractices. I remember sharing the lockerroom with other teams. We sometimespracticed in that locker room – showersand sinks right there. Trisha and I decidedto give back hoping that someone elsecould benefit from the Misericordiaexperience with some upgrades.”

Trisha participated in cheerleading as afirst-year student and kept lacrosse

statistics as a senior. “Athletics is animportant outlet for people and worthsupporting,” she says. Trisha has achievedsuccess as a physical therapist at LehighValley Hospital, Allentown, Pa. “When Iwent on job interviews, they would say‘You went to Misericordia?’ and a fewtimes would try to create a job openingjust because I was a Misericordiagraduate. I feel fortunate,” she says.

Sean still coaches lacrosse and worksas a lead interventional technologistputting his medical imaging degree towork at Lehigh Valley Hospital’s CedarCrest site.

“I remember sitting down with myparents to choose a college and theysaid, ‘Are you going for lacrosse or aneducation?’ Choosing Misericordia wasone of the best decisions I ever made,”adds Sean. “I couldn’t imagine my lifewithout the close relationships I formedwith teammates and friends and myeducation. It is a unique studentexperience at MU, and we are fortunateto be able to give back.”

Sean and Trisha currently reside inNazareth, Pa.

BY J IM ROBERTS

ramed by blooming irises, daisiesand roses, Barbara Soyka looks athome in the Sister Regina KellyShakespeare Garden at

Misericordia University. Standing near the bench she

sponsored in honor of her mother, Anna,the retired high school English teacher isan avid student of The Bard and is also amaster gardener. Her involvement withMU began when she brought those twodiverse talent sets together to aid fellowteacher and longtime friend, AgnesToloczko Cardoni ‘69, Ph.D., in a plan tohonor Sister Regina, a reveredMisericordia faculty member, with a trueShakespeare Garden.

Soyka used her research and gardeningknowledge to suggest plants that made

the Elizabethan garden as authentic aspossible given northeasternPennsylvania’s climate. The two friendswere proud of their efforts at the garden’sdedication in 2010. “A garden is awonderful thing ... it is constantlychanging and growing, not static likebooks or pictures,” Soyka says. “It isimportant to the campus and thecommunity. You give people the propersetting and they will thrive in it.”

Soyka, a member of the Back MountainBloomers Garden Club, is also creditedwith having her fellow bloomers managethe care of the garden as an ongoingcommunity-service project. She also hasestablished The Barbara Soyka EndowedFund for the Shakespeare Garden toensure that the garden would never beneglected because of a lack of funding.

As her involvement with the Universitytook root, so too has her interest in theacademic interests of students. In 2011,she established The Soyka Women

Endowed Scholarship to providescholarship assistance to a local woman inthe Ruth Matthews Bourger Women withChildren Program. She then partneredwith the Charlotte NewcombeFoundation to establish the BarbaraSoyka/Charlotte Newcombe EndowedScholarship for mature women.

Always a bibliophile, Soyka made surethat the library’s English collection wasexpanded this year. Then, working withRuss Pottle, Ph.D., dean of the College ofArts and Sciences, her support of theUniversity grew more profound with therecent establishment of the Soyka Fundfor the Humanities.

The fund’s first project is amultidisciplinary program with theDepartments of English, and History andGovernment on Oct. 22-23 with featureauthor James Church, a writer of spynovels who incorporates his experience inthe U.S. Foreign Service and his interest inNorth Korea in his writing. He will offer alecture for the public and conduct masterclasses with faculty and students.

MU couple supports field house endeavor

Life-long teacher knows the definition of givingBY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

I

F

PR

OF

ILE

S IN

GIV

ING

S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Photo by Leandra Elaine Photography

SE

RV

ICE

-LE

AR

NIN

G

Following in a long tradition ofservant leaders, the five groups ofvolunteers provided a wide range ofservices to people from all walks of lifeand age brackets. Collectively, they feltthey were the ones who gained themost from the experience.

“I am amazed at how much welearned about what it is to be inpoverty,” admits Sabrina Alles ‘15, apre-med and medical science major,who was one of 10 Misericordiastudents and two chaperones thatworked at a free clinic and served foodto the homeless at the City Mission ofSchenectady, N.Y. “Among the placesthat we served was a distribution centerwhere City Mission provides more than400 free lunches to children each day.We also took part in a women’s

devotional prayer service and a BridgesOut of Poverty Class, where we heardfirsthand stories about what it is like tobe hungry and homeless.”

Alles also had a chance to work withdoctors who were volunteering theirservices at a free clinic. “I was able towatch and listen and see how importantthe work is that they were doing. Itdefinitely made me more confident aboutmy career choice (medicine) and showedme that I can do it,” she adds.

Alexandra Zara ‘16 startedvolunteering in high school with ProjectRemain, an after-school program forunderprivileged children inWilkes-Barre, Pa. While on the servicetrip to Schenectady – where the povertyrate is nearly 10 percent higher than thestate average – the sophomore

speech-language pathology majorhelped serve meals, sorted donations ata regional food bank, assisted with aToys for Tots program, and attended awomen’s devotional prayer service. “Iknow that people have different issuesthat they deal with and it touched myheart to hear the stories of the womenat the prayer service and how they werecoming together to help each other,’’says Zara. “The energy in that event wasso powerful and so deep. It touched myheart and confirmed my desire to helpothers in my career.”

Students Sarah Ashford ‘14 and KatieO’Hearn were on a team of 12 studentsand two chaperones that assisted withafter-school sessions for low-incomestudents and worked at Choice CAIN(Churches Active in the North), two

As government entities deal with theimpact of the federal budgetsequestration cuts on community andsocial service agencies across thecountry, the concern level has beenraised for people who need thoseservices the most – the homeless,poor and underprivileged. Focusing

their volunteer efforts on those mostin need, 64 Misericordia Universitystudents spent their spring break onvolunteer projects in some of themost underserved areas of Alabama,New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania,and on a mission to assist the Sistersof Mercy on a self-sustaining farmin Vermont.

Misericordia University studentJillian Dunn ‘14 helps providetoddler care during her spring

break trip assisting theFranciscans of the Poor in

Cincinnati, Ohio.

SE

RV

ICE

-LE

AR

NIN

G

‘Littlest thingsMAKE THE B IGGEST

DIFFERENCE’Students aid those most in need during annual Spring Break Service Trips

6 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

programs operated by the Franciscansfor the Poor in Cincinnati, Ohio. ChoiceCAIN includes a food pantry that isarranged like a store, where the clientsare able to choose the items they need.It also offers a “Birthday Closet” wherepeople can select a present for amember of their family. The students alsoassisted at the Matthew 25 DonationCenter in Cincinnati where, among manyjobs, they mixed together hundreds ofcans of leftover paint. The messy processresulted in the creation of enough newpaint to cover the interior of 132 houses.

“What I learned is that the people wewere serving are not homeless people,but people experiencing homelessness –there is a big difference,” says Ashford,who will earn her Doctor of PhysicalTherapy degree in December 2014.“Homelessness is a stage in their livesthat they can move past with the righthelp. I am proud to be a part of that.”

“Some of the most important workwe did was to make eye contact withthe people coming to the pantry and sitand listen to their stories,” addsO’Hearn, an occupational therapymajor. “People need to know that theirlife has value. We found out thatsometimes they just need someone tolisten to them.”

Nick Ametrano ‘13, a health caremanagement major, was one of 11students and two chaperones whoassisted teachers in an after-schoolprogram operated by the MercyNeighborhoods of North Philadelphia.He also visited with elderly at a day carecenter who were at the facility becauseit wasn’t safe for them to be home alonein their inner-city neighborhoods.

The highlight of his mission trip wassimply seeing children dance. “I wasamazed at seeing the children reactwhen we played a Just Dance videogame … it made them so happy. It wasat that moment when I learned thelittlest things make the biggestdifference. Taking a few minutes withthem really made their day. It was far

more rewarding than I everexpected,” says Ametrano.

A family of eightrefugees from Africa has anew home thanks to thework of 24 MU studentsand three chaperones whospent their spring breakhelping to complete aHabitat for Humanity homein Mobile, Ala. Both CaitlinVitale ‘16, a speech-language pathology major,and Adam Grzech ‘13, anaccounting major on histhird service trip with MU,say they were most proudof the spirit that developedwithin their group andwhat they were able toaccomplish together.

“Ten of us were puttingup siding on the house,and at first it didn’t looklike much…but suddenly,when I stepped back andlooked up, it actuallylooked like a place wheresomeone could live,”Vitale say. “We weremaking someone a homeand I couldn’t have beenany prouder. It issomething that will staywith me for the rest of my life.”

“We were able to give the people ahouse, and that was nice ... but theygave us so much more,” adds Grzech.“I was amazed at how our studentsworked together as a group ascompared to others we saw in actionthere. We were all changed with therealization that the adage is true, ‘Ialone can change the world.’”

The can-do attitude was equallyprevalent with the seven Misericordiastudents and two chaperones whotraveled to Benson, Vt., to serve at MercyFarm, a working farm and eco-spiritualcenter operated by the Sisters of Mercyon the New York-Vermont border. The

produce from the gardens supports thefarm community. “From working withnature on Mercy Farm, I learned that wehave a large impact on our environmentand that it is our responsibility tomaintain the place where we and otherthings live,” says Deirdre Stevens ‘17,an occupational therapy major.

The group undertook laborious tasksaround the property, such as helpingprepare the farmlands for planting andcreating trails. “This trip had a largeimpact on me because it allowed me toserve others and reflect. It also broughtme extremely close with the others onthe trip and we are now a family whowill always be there for one another,”adds Stevens.

At far left, students, from left, RebeccaSantoleri ‘16, Elena Uribe ‘17, Koryn Henry‘15, Katie Serino ‘15, Adrian Whitmoyer ‘15,Marisa Wagner ‘13 and Amanda Slaughter‘16 pose with Pastor Dan Cragan, kneeling,at the City Mission of Schenectady, N.Y.

Misericordia University students MarisaWagner ‘13 and Adrian Whitmoyer ‘15, right,don hard hats for their work during a springbreak service trip to the City Mission ofSchenectady, N.Y.

SE

RV

ICE

-LE

AR

NIN

G

S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 7

Students Sarah Ashford ‘14, left, and Jillian Dunn ‘14 mixtogether donated cans of leftover paint to create enoughnew paint to cover the interiors of 132 houses as part of theirservice work for the Franciscans for the Poor in Cincinnati.

According to “Dilbert” cartoon creatorScott Adams, “Engineers like to solveproblems. If there are no problemshandily available, they will create theirown problems.”

Christopher L. Borton, P.E., CEO ofBorton-Lawson and vice chair ofMisericordia University’s Board ofTrustees, likes to solve problems, too.When he’s not solving them for hiscompany, he seeks out new challenges.

Interested in knowing how thingsworked at an early age and inspired byhis youngest uncle who was an engineer,Borton attended Penn State Universitywhere he studied to be a surveyor butwas drawn to engineering in his secondyear. As he prepared to make the switchto engineering, he had to skip asemester to wait for the relevant coursesto be offered. A dose of professionalreality would soon follow.

“I had a chance to work for sevenmonths as a draftsman at Smith Miller, aKingston, Pa.,-based engineering firm.That professional experience and hardwork early in my college careermotivated me to go on for my bachelor’sdegree,” says Borton.

After graduating on a Saturday fromPenn State, he went to work full time forSmith Miller that very Monday. Havingstudied water resources engineering andtransportation engineering, Smith Millerimmediately sent him to Johnstown, Pa.,to help with flood recovery efforts in1978. “We flew back and forth everyweek. While out there, I was on my own orwith a small team. We were expected todo the job and get it done right,” he adds.

After 13 years with Smith Miller andseveral major projects later, he startedhis own firm in the 1980s. “I decided Iwanted to try it on my own. With thecomputer technology explosion, I sawthat we could use technology to betterserve our clients,” says Borton.

Some of the firm’s notable projects innortheast Pennsylvania include: theLehigh-Pohopoco Bridge, the longestspan pre-stressed concrete bridge in thestate; the Motorworld complex inWilkes-Barre, Pa.; and many projects atthe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton InternationalAirport, Moosic, Pa. Today,Borton-Lawson employs 160 people andoffers a number of services to clients,including architecture and engineering.

Borton’s ties to Misericordia are olderthan him in a sense. His mother was a1948 graduate of then CollegeMisericordia. “She lived in Shavertownnear the college and remained involvedthroughout her life. She alwayscherished the fact that she earned abachelor’s degree,” says Borton.

Dr. Michael MacDowell, formerpresident of Misericordia University,found out about Borton’s connection toMisericordia and asked him to serve asa Council Misericordia advisor in 2002.Borton joined the Board in 2009.

He led the search committee forMisericordia’s vice president for financeand administration, and then was quicklyappointed to lead the search for a newpresident, with the committee selectingDr. Thomas J. Botzman who tookoffice July 1.

“As president of my own company,I felt comfortable taking on theresponsibility for the search committees.I enjoy working with a group, guiding it,and letting the committee do the workas a team. My thinking was to establish avision, a goal and then to work together.Our efforts were about the students.What is best for the students ofMisericordia University was always onour minds,” he explains.

Borton and his wife, Karen, have threeadult children, Karl, Sarah and Kate. Heenjoys spending time with his family onPaupackan Lake fishing.

BortonChris

“Our efforts wereabout the students.What is best for thestudents ofMisericordiaUniversity was alwayson our minds.”

– Chris Borton

8 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

Board of Trustees

9S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

BOT thanks Trustee Bortonfor chairing Committee

Misericordia University and the Boardof Trustees recognized the valued serviceand leadership that Trustee ChristopherL. Borton, P.E., provided when he chairedthe Presidential Search Committee.

Borton is co-founder and CEO ofBorton-Lawson of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., andalso serves Misericordia University as thevice chair of the Board of Trustees. Hechaired the nationwide search forMisericordia University’s 13th president.

Misericordia University Board ofTrustees Chairman John Metz presentedBorton with a clock at the Board ofTrustees meeting in February thatcontains the following inscription: “Inappreciation of your service andleadership in chairing the PresidentialSearch Committee at MisericordiaUniversity.’’

Homeland security expertmakes campus presentation

The second annual Dr. MidoriYamanouchi Lecture Series presentedFrances Townsend, the former HomelandSecurity advisor for President George W.Bush and CNN commentator, to asold-out audience for the presentation,Government, Law and National Security,in Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hallin April.

Townsend conducted a master class forstudents who are enrolled in theGovernment, Law and National SecurityProgram. The University held asymposium on national security issues forstudents as part of the activities.

Students set their siteson ‘Guinness’ world record

Students hoped to mark their place inthe Guinness Book of World Recordswhen they connected more than 1,400Crayola erasable markers end-to-end inan attempt to create a new world record.The project was organized by the StudentGovernment Association as part ofSpringfest Weekend.

The marker project involved dozens ofstudents connecting 1,432 markers for achain that measured 628 feet in length.Don Spencer, a surveyor with Borton-Lawson, volunteered to accuratelymeasure the distance. His report, alongwith a video of the process and otherdocumentation, was submitted to theGuinness Book of World Recordsfor confirmation.

Nursing student gets tobe ‘President For A Day’

Nursing student Alexandra Flormann‘14, of Prospect, Conn., won the StudentGovernment Association (SGA) raffle,President For A Day, and got toparticipate in meetings and discussionsduring the day in which she learned howan institution of higher education isoperated and managed.

SGA’s raffle benefited the United Wayof Wyoming Valley. The event is one ofmany prizes the University offers asincentives to students, faculty and staffto support the worthwhile programthat assists many people in need.

Colleges Against Cancer’sRelay for Life raises $17,699

The Misericordia University CollegesAgainst Cancer Chapter raised $17,699for the American Cancer Society at theannual Relay for Life event on campusin April.

Over the last three years, the chapterhas raised $37,609 from the Relay for Lifeevent in the Anderson Sports and HealthCenter. Students raised $7,000 in 2011and $12,910 last year.

Beyond Harmony performsat RailRiders’ baseball games

Beyond Harmony, an a cappellamusical group composed of students,performed the National Anthem at PNCField on May 7 before the game betweenthe Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders andvisiting Indianapolis Indians.

Students Dinamichelle Boyer ‘15,Grace Riker ‘13, and Kaitlyn Tothero ‘17also made solo performances at homedates in April and May.

The following students are members ofBeyond Harmony: Dinamichelle Boyer‘15, Alina Busch ‘14, Meghan DiGerolamo‘17, Jessica Kitch ‘15, Kateri Kopicki ‘15,Kathleen Lord ‘14, Jamie Opela ‘16,Krista Randall ‘14, Grace Riker ‘13, AnnieStewart ‘15, Katie Strbo ‘14, KaitlynTothero ‘17, and Maria Weidemoyer ‘16.

CAMPUS VIEWS

AmandaLee ‘13,left, andLeilaComerford‘15 havefunpresentingthe check.

Frances Townsend speaks to broadcast media.

Students connect markers together.

Misericordia University’s Beyond Harmony.

SE

RV

ICE

-LE

AR

NIN

G

10 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

TE

AC

HE

R E

DU

CA

TIO

N

FrustrationTHE FACES OF

New course teaches education students how to understand:

Misericordia University Professor JosephRogan, Ed.D., talks to students enrolled inthe Methods and Management/EmotionalSupport course during the spring semester.The Teacher Education Departmentreceived a special ‘Honor Roll’ designationin the 2013 National Council on TeacherQuality ratings that were released by U.S.News & World Report on June 18. Only 9percent of the 1,200 programs examinednationwide received such a distinction.

11S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Their faces are haunting reminders ofwhat might have been for far too manyfamilies. Through the years, their storieshave been reviewed by criminal profilers,psychologists and numerous lawenforcement officials. MisericordiaUniversity special education majors areusing them as case studies in an effort tonot repeat some of the most tragicepisodes in recent American history.

Up on a screen in front of theclassroom in Michael and TinaMacDowell Hall, the disturbingly blankexpressions of Adam Lanza, James

Holmes, Jared Lee Loughner, DylanKlebod and Eric Harris stare back at the22 upper classmen in the newthree-credit Methods and Management/Emotional Support class that wasintroduced by the Teacher EducationDepartment for the 2013 springsemester. These mass killers fromNewtown, Conn.; Tucson, Ariz.; Denver,Colo., and Columbine, Colo., have littlein common – it would seem – other thantheir notorious pasts.

“One of the main lessons that I havelearned from this class is that as teachers,we have the power to make a hugedifference in the lives of our students,’’says Bryan Palmaioli ’14, an early

TE

AC

HE

R E

DU

CA

TIO

N

childhood and special education major.“With this, we cannot let the studentsdown. We need to treat them with respectand have an understanding of what theygo through.’’

In the not-too-distant future, theseMisericordia students will be elementaryand/or special education teachers. Theywill be in positions to identify children withemotional or mental health problems at anearly age and to possibly prevent aNewtown- or Columbine-level tragedyfrom happening again.

“Walking into my first day of this class Inever thought I could work with studentswho are emotionally disturbed,’’acknowledges Marisa Ferenchick ’14, anearly childhood and special educationmajor. “I just never thought that I couldhave skin that would be thick enough toget past the problems that these childrenhave and overcome them enough to helpthem succeed.

“I always knew that I could be patientwith children and always be there to help,but I didn’t think I was cut out to be anemotional-support teacher. Now afterweeks of this class, I am proud to say that Icould handle this job. I could help thesestudents if I really put my mind to it andnobody could take that away from me. Nomatter how much of a challenge ispositioned in front of me, I know that Icould conquer it because of theknowledge and also the strength that thisclass has given to me,’’ adds Ferenchick.

Professor Joseph Rogan, Ed.D., hasbeen a professional educator for 45 yearsand a faculty member at MisericordiaUniversity for 35 of those years. In leadingthe course, Dr. Rogan acknowledges thechallenges that lie ahead for educatorsand the public in general when it comesto preventing mass killings or identifyingwould-be murderers inside of or outsideof the classroom. He’s also quick to pointout, though, that it would be irresponsiblefor teachers and society not to try.

“Can we determine which elementaryand secondary students will grow up to bemass murderers?’’ he asks his pupils. “Itseems everyone in the country is askingthis same question.’’

Throughout the semester, Dr. Roganand his students looked at variousmethods that may be used to identifychildren that could be prone to violentacts. They examined the commoncharacteristics killers shared, such asgender, medical and/or mental illnesses,undesirable social conditions, and otherlife events. Together, this informationcould be coalesced into a checklist that

BY PAUL KRZYWICK I

See TEACHER EDUCATION, next page

M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y12

may be used as an instrument to predictviolent behavior. The predictive validity ofmeasuring the dangerousness of studentsin this fashion, though, is fraught withfalse-positives, according to Dr. Rogan,and cannot be relied upon to be the soleindicator of a violent act in the future.

“If someone is a male, are theydangerous?’’ he asks his class rhetorically,while he also refers to traumatic events inpeople’s lives such as ostracization andbullying, as well as their IQ, diagnoses,and other characterizations that areidentified on the checklist. “Do any ofthese predict outcomes? It’s pretty scarywhen you think of it this way.”

The short form of a long answer ismaybe, according to Dr. Rogan. Maybe achecklist can be developed by education,mental health and law enforcementprofessionals to predict an outcome for astudent, but it can also lead to the wrongconclusion. “The predictive validity of suchchecklists is low,’’ Dr. Rogan says. “Wesimply cannot tell the future. Therefore,we proceed to help all kids who have acluster of these symptoms so that in theirfutures they can look back and note that atleast some people – their teachers – didnot reject them.’’

There are no sure-fire warning signsthat a student will become a mass

murderer, let alone mildly violent, Dr.Rogan says, just because they arementally ill or because they share similarcharacteristics with a notorious killer.

“All semester we have been trying tocome up with a possible checklist to seeif we could get a better understanding ofthe characteristics that a violent studentmay hold,’’ Ferenchick says. “As much asI would love to say that I could identify achild who will be violent based on these

characteristics, I know I cannot say it withconfidence,’’ she adds.

Sara Krsulic ’14, an early childhood andspecial education major, believes the classhas given her the tools to identify astudent that may act violently in classbecause she will know the warning signsof when a student is entering the rageconflict cycles. “However, I will not be ableto correctly identify a student who couldbecome a mass murderer,’’ she says.

To illustrate the many challengesteachers are confronted with in theclassroom daily, Dr. Rogan had hisstudents conduct research into variousdisorders, such as Asperger’s syndromeand Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder, more commonly referred to asADHD. The goal of the research was todetermine if children with these disordersare more likely to commit violent crimesthan others.

The classroom activity reflected theongoing national debate on this subject.Fourteen students quickly stood to theleft of the classroom, reflecting theoutcome of their research which indicatedthat positive diagnoses for either disorderdid not mean a child was prone toviolence. Four students walked to theright-hand side of the classroom becausetheir research unveiled the likelihood thatthese children would commit violent acts.Two students who stood in the middle of

the classroom to signify theirneutrality on the subjecteventually joined the minorityafter further discussion amongstudents and Dr. Rogan.

“Frustration is a killer,’’ Dr.Rogan says after asking hisstudents numerous questions onthe subject. “Anybody can befrustrated enough to kill, but arethey (children with ADHD,Asperger’s) more likely? Do theybecome more susceptible toviolent outbursts because ofbullying over time? There’s a lotmore going on than justAsperger’s and ADHD. Thenwhat is it? It’s a tough call.’’

The one conclusion that hasbeen drawn from the new

academic course is the importance ofeducators, parents and families in thelives of children, especially special-needschildren. The nature-versus-nurturedebate continues, Dr. Rogan says,because a caring teacher or a familyfriend may be able to unknowinglydefuse a situation by simply listening orproviding a shoulder to lean on. Teachersand others can be a conduit for childrenthat need to express their frustrations

about something as serious as bullying oras simple as needing additional attention.

“Can we make a difference with childrenwho are emotionally disturbed?’’ Dr.Rogan asks his students. “If we (teachers)can, we can be very valuable to society.’’

That’s why Dr. Rogan repeatedlychallenges his students to get involved inraising and spreading awareness aboutemotionally disturbed children and SEDstudents, who are prone to severeemotional disturbances.

“Teachers and other people who workwith the students need to pay moreattention to their actions and what theyare thinking,’’ adds Krsulic. “If once in awhile we ask students what is going on intheir lives, we might be able to catchthem before they go into a building andstart murdering people. Teachers need tostay in contact with their students and letthem know if there is something theywant to talk about, that you are alwaysopen to talk to them no matter what itis about.’’

The need to be able to identify childrenin need has never been more prevalent,according to a recent study by the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention. Thestudy states that nearly one in fivehigh-school age boys in the United Statesand 11 percent of school-age childrenoverall have received a medical diagnosisof ADHD – data Dr. Rogan questions.While he does not question the validity ofthe study, he wonders if physicians haveincorrectly diagnosed some patients and,in turn, unnecessarily prescribed them withstimulants like Ritalin or Adderall to treatthe condition. Both stimulants, if usedincorrectly, can lead to addiction, anxietyand psychosis, Dr. Rogan says.

“We want to be sure our students areable to identify a mental health issue,’’ Dr.Rogan says. “This class is designed toprepare future teachers to teach, manageand provide a therapeutic education tostudents with emotional disabilities. Ourthree-credit course thoroughly addressesthe various and serious issues, one ofwhich is to prevent future problems or atleast lessen them. The assumption is thatif we can help them now, they will nothave to explode later.’’

According to his students, the coursehas made them feel more prepared toface the challenges that will be presentedto them in the classroom. “I completelyfeel more prepared and also comfortableto work with challenged students aftertaking Dr. Rogan’s new class,’’ saysFerenchick. “This class really opens upyour eyes to things that are not talkedabout and it teaches you a lot. Personally,I never even knew that such a populationof children existed in our schools.”

SE

RV

ICE

-LE

AR

NIN

GT

EA

CH

ER

ED

UC

AT

ION

Bryan Palmaioli ‘14, Sara Krsulic ‘14, center, and MarisaFerenchick ‘14, far left, listen to Dr. Rogan’s lecture.

Continued from page 11

13S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

It seems like a simple motto, but it isone that has enabled MisericordiaUniversity occupational therapy studentKaitlyn Sledzinski ’15, ’17 and her mother,Chris, to overcome life’s obstacles bycombining an inspirational comment withher brilliant smile.

“I’d rather laugh about it than cry aboutit’’ has been repeated many times by themother-daughter duo over the past 20years, both literally and then figurativelythrough their positive attitudes. Aftergymnastics practice and competitions,violin rehearsals and recitals, and the

many other developmental stages inchildhood, they’d repeat that meaningfulphrase to each other. Their saying was notborn out of an ill-tuned violin or failing tostick a landing during a gymnastics floorroutine, but rather from the conditionknown as congenital amputation whichleft Kaitlyn without a right forearm and

hand since birth.The condition, according to The

Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto,Canada, is rare as 1 in 20,000 children areborn with a congenital forearmamputation like Kaitlyn’s, and 1 in 27,000children are born with a congenital armamputation. Congenital amputation, theloss of the arm and/or hand due toincomplete development at birth, isbelieved to be caused by bleeding orblood clots as the arm is developingbefore birth, according to the hospital(www.sickkids.ca.).

In Kaitlyn’s case, the congenitalamputation, she says, has been a blessingin disguise for many reasons. “I really didnot notice anything (as a youngster),’’ shesays, pausing before finishing herthought, “I think it was about secondgrade when I really started noticing. Thatis when I was having a hard time with itbecause a boy was picking on me. Mymom, she told me to do a cartwheel, andthat boy never bothered me again.’’

Kaitlyn has been doing cartwheels eversince, albeit figuratively. As a young childwith an upper-limb deficiency, she led avery normal, active lifestyle. Aside from hertherapeutic sessions with an occupationaltherapist every other week at Shriner’sHospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pa.,she competed in gymnastics and learnedhow to play the violin.

“When I was young, I did not know I was in therapy,’’ she says about theoccupation-based experience. “I was just playing. Most of the people I grew up with did not treat me differently. Mymom didn’t.’’

With her mother’s encouragement,

Kaitlyn joined gymnastics in third gradeand traveled to and from practice andmeets with her neighbor – anothereight-year-old girl. One year later, Kaitlynstruck up an interest in the violin afterparticipating in the Francis WillardElementary School’s music program.

Today, the results of her activities areobvious. Numerous shadow boxes hangproudly along the walls in her bedroom,displaying the 30 medals she earned ingymnastics competitions in northeasternPennsylvania and abroad for her vaultand floor routines. They serve as amemento of her youth, but mostimportantly they remind her how “youcan do anything.’’

“If you think you can do anything, youcan. If you want to do it, do not letanyone tell you not to do it,’’ Kaitlynadds. “It is very important to have apositive attitude and a strong supportsystem in place. I’ve grown up to jokeabout myself because there’s alwayssomething happy.’’

Her life’s experiences also led Kaitlyn tomajor in a health care specialty field upongraduating from West Scranton HighSchool, Scranton, Pa., in 2011. She feelsher special circumstances will benefit herfuture clients in a myriad of ways. “I feellike I have a better understanding thansomeone who has not had a disability ora condition,’’ says the daughter of Boband Chris Sledzinski of Scranton. “It ishard not to feel sympathetic. I am goingto feel that way for some people, but Iam also not going to let them convinceme they cannot do something. I will helpthem find that confidence they needto have.’’

Kaitlyn Sledzinski ‘15, ‘17, poses for a picturein the Splint Lab in Passan Hall.

Kaitlyn Sledzinski‘15, ‘17

OC

CU

PA

TIO

NA

L T

HE

RA

PY

‘I’d rather laugh about it than

cry about it ’OT student gives back to health care specialty

field that showed how her congenital amputation

cannot limit one’s accomplishments in life

BY PAUL KRZYWICK I

14 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

OC

CU

PA

TIO

NA

L T

HE

RA

PY

HAZLE TWP., Pa. – Whether theywere chasing soap-bubblesnowflakes or squealing their waydown the mountainside on a sled,90 special needs children from theHazleton Area School District(HASD) were able to leave theclassroom and their disabilitiesbehind for one special day inFebruary to do activities that comeeasy to other children.

They sledded, took tube ridesand threw snowballs at a SpongeBob Square Pants target. Andwhen the frigid temperatures onthe Eagle Rock ski slopes becametoo much, they went inside theBase Lodge for warmer games,such as water-bottle bowling,mitten match and arts and crafts.

The 4th Annual HASD WinterOlympics is a collaborative effortbetween occupational andphysical therapy andspeech-language pathologyfaculty members at HASD. Theyorganize the heartwarming projectfor the special-needs students inthe district. Sophomore studentsand faculty in the five-year Masterof Science degree program inoccupational therapy atMisericordia University alsovolunteered at the event to ensurethe program ran smoothly.

The 40 MU co-eds helped to setup and run the dozen indoor andoutdoor activities. For many, it wastheir first experience interactingwith children with special needs,whose wide range of physical andemotional challenges includedautism, Down syndrome,

developmental delays and intellectualdisabilities.

Four Misericordia alumni were amongthe HASD staff who took part, includingspecial education teachers Heather

Operation SmOT students, alumni make smileshappen at HASD Winter Olympics

BY MAR IANNE TUCKERPUHALLA

Misericordia University Occupational Therapystudent Tara Robinson ‘16 helps 8-year-old BruceHunsinger of Hazleton, Pa., participate in thesnowman bowling event at the Hazleton AreaSchool District’s 4th Annual Winter Olympics atEagle Rock Resort. Robinson was among 40sophomore occupational therapy majors whovolunteered their time for the event forspecial-needs children.

OT pass rates surpassstate, national averagesMembers of the Occupational

Therapy Program’s 2012 graduatingclass achieved a pass rate higher thanthe national average for the secondyear in a row among first-time testtakers for the National Board ofCertification in Occupational Therapy(NBCOT) examination.

The 97-percent pass rate by the36-member graduating class exceedsthe national average of 85 percentfor test-takers that took the exambetween January and December2012, according to NBCOT data.

In 2011, MU’s first-time test takersscored a 93-percent pass rate, whichalso exceeded the national averageof 84 percent. Overall, Misericordia’sfirst-time test takers from 2010 to2012 have achieved a 95-percentpass rate. The national pass rate,according to NBCOT data for thesame period, was 84 percent.

Compared to the other 33 M.S.programs in Pa., N.Y., N.J., Conn.and Md., the MU program has thehighest pass rate from 2010-12.Richard Stockton College is secondat 93 percent. In the northeasternUnited States (Pa., N.Y., N.J., Conn.,Maine, Md., Mass., N.H. and R.I.),Misericordia’s pass rate is secondamong 44 OT programs. OnlyBoston University’s 98-percent passrate surpassed MU’s.

15S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

SmileGortva Peregrin ’06, and Jonathan Juka’09, Mary Ann Kline ’99, a para-professional, and Jennifer Dessoye ’01,‘10, OTD, assistant professor of OT atMisericordia, who also works as anoccupational therapist for the schooldistrict. Dr. Dessoye is among theoriginators and coordinators of theproject, and offered the MU students theopportunity to become involved.

“I have shadowed in OT before, but Inever had the chance to have this kind ofinteraction with special-needs students,”says Jamie Opela ‘16. “I chose the OTfield because I liked the aspect of helpingsomeone – finding out what it is they wantto accomplish and helping them reachtheir goal. That is exactly what today isall about.”

“This is my first experience at an eventlike this and it is amazing to see thesmiles on the children’s faces,” addsfellow MU student Nikki Singiser ’16. “Itis a learning experience for the Hazletonstudents and the MU students – we are alllearning together.”

Dayanara Rodriquez-Munoz ’16 ofHazleton, Pa., agrees. “Participatingreminded me of the little things in lifethat we forget to enjoy like the simple actof playing innocently or putting a smileon someone else’s face. The best part

about being here was knowing that forthe rest of my life, I would have theopportunity to make a difference insomeone’s life as an occupationaltherapist.”

With students and their familiesconstantly coming and going betweenevents, the scene was often hectic, yetDr. Dessoye and the organizingcommittee were well in control, carefullydirecting the volunteers that wereoverseeing events. “We help put a smileon a lot of faces today,” says Dr. Dessoye.“It is a great chance for the Hazletonstudents to experience some fun outsideof the classroom. They look forward to itand just love it. It is also a greatopportunity for the Misericordiasophomores, early on in their educationalprocess, to get a feel for what it is like tointeract with youngsters who have a

variety of skill levels and needs. They geta chance to see what it is like to workwith special-needs students before theyare placed in a clinical assignment.”

This year, the project was expanded toinclude high-school-aged students atHASD. An added bonus is that it alsoprovides the students’ families anopportunity to network with the supportstaff and TSS workers who regularlyaccompany the students to class.

“My Amanda is so happy to come here,play in the snow, and just be with herfriends who have similar challenges,” saysAndrene Tutko of Sheppton, Pa., themother of 9-year-old AmandaTutko-Genery. “It is really, really nice thatthey do this for our children every year. Ireally cannot thank them enough.”

OC

CU

PA

TIO

NA

L T

HE

RA

PY

Emily Iseminger ‘16, kneeling right, helpedwith the sledding run during the 4th AnnualWinter Olympics for special-needs children.

OT student Shane Hall ‘15 helps with thesledding run at the Hazleton Area SchoolDistrict’s 4th Annual Winter Olympics forspecial-needs children at Eagle Rock Resort.

Dayanara Rodriquez-Munoz ‘16, left, andAshley Barber ‘16 share a smile with AmandaTutko-Genery, 9, of Sheppton, Pa.

Dr. Jennifer Dessoye ‘01, ‘10, O.T.D., assistantprofessor, talks to the regional broadcastmedia during the event at Eagle Rock Resort.

SP

EE

CH

-LA

NG

UA

GE

PA

TH

OL

OG

Y

16 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

Terrence Murgallis ‘16 is a personwho stutters. He knows how itfeels to be teased and mockedor otherwise dismissedincidentally by some fluent

speakers. He’s experienced the anxietyassociated with public speaking and, onnumerous occasions, he’s wished he was“like everyone else.’’

“It made me want to hide it(stuttering) and it made me want to belike everyone else because they werecalling me out on it,’’ he acknowledges.“It affected me socially because I let itaffect me socially.’’

Today, the 20-year-old knows how tocontrol his own communicationdisorder. He wants to share his storywith other people who stutter and theirfamily members through the stutteringsupport group that was established oncampus and has been recognized as alocal chapter of the National StutteringAssociation (NSA).

By using the air-flow managementtechnique that was taught to him by agraduate student in the Master ofScience degree program inspeech-language pathology, Murgalliscan manage his own stuttering. Air-flowmanagement is one of numerousstrategies speech-languagepathologists utilize to help people who

stutter control their stuttering. Murgallis has been working

on an ambitious two-prongedapproach to help people whostutter and their loved ones. Itbegan two years ago when heenrolled in the speech-languagepathology program at MU after beingthe class valedictorian at Meyers HighSchool in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. His missionwas to learn how to help others withcommunication disorders find their ownvoices by becoming a licensedspeech-language pathologist.

While working on his own academicstudies and receiving speech therapy atthe Misericordia University Speech-Language and Hearing Center in JohnJ. Passan Hall, he also collaborated withseveral classmates to establish the NSANortheast Pennsylvania Chapter. Thesupport group provides a safe andfriendly atmosphere for people whostutter and those affected by stuttering– about 1 percent of the populationstutters, according to The StutteringFoundation. At bi-monthly meetings,people are able to meet others whostutter, share experiences, practice theirspeaking skills, and work on movingforward with dignity and respect,according to the NSA group’s missionstatement.

“I want to help other people whostutter cope with the negative attitudesassociated with stuttering,’’ Murgallissays. “When I was younger, it affectedme. I took what other people had to sayto heart. Thinking back now, it wouldhave been a lot easier in the long run if Iknew what those people thought wasnot true. With support, you are able torealize you are not alone and you’re notso different from everyone else.’’

Support for Murgallis came in theform of Midori Rodriguez ’14, agraduate student in thespeech-language pathology programand a co-leader of the NSA supportgroup. Together, they worked to expandthe informal support group already inplace to the only nationally recognizedone in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Rodriguez of Stroudsburg, Pa., alsodeveloped the idea to utilize the air-flowmanagement technique with Murgallis,who still had significant stutteringdifficulties after 11 years of on-again andoff-again therapy. About 17 months afterbeginning therapy at the Speech-Language and Hearing Center, Murgallishas decided to discontinue speechtherapy after successfully learning how tomanage it with his mentor’s assistanceand his own determination.

“I really look up to her,’’ he says. “Ithink she is a mentor and a greatclinician. I tell her all the time that I amvery grateful that she came toMisericordia. She is not only a good

Returning the favorSLP major helps to establish NSASupport Group after learning how to control his own stuttering

STOR IES BY PAUL KRZYWICK I

Quick Info:The National Stuttering Association’s Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter sponsored by

Misericordia University meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.The meetings are held on the second floor of John J. Passan Hall, 100 Lake St., inroom 212. For more information about the support group, please call (570) 674-6724;e-mail, stutteringsupport@misericordia.edu, or log on to the group’s Facebook pageat www.facebook.com/MisericordiaUniversityStutteringSupportGroup. The meetingsare free and open to the public. See next page

17S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

therapist, but she is a good friend. Shereally pushes me to step out of mycomfort zone to try new things. Iattribute a lot of my success totrusting her.’’

Initially, a graduate clinician wasutilizing stuttering modificationstrategies with Murgallis until Rodrigueztook over the clinical sessions andrerouted treatment with the assistanceof Glen Tellis, Ph.D., chair of theDepartment of Speech-LanguagePathology, board recognized fluencyspecialist and interim dean of theCollege of Health Sciences. It took alittle while for Murgallis to feelcomfortable with the new approachbecause it is not the easiest techniqueto perfect, according to Dr. Tellis.

“His percentage of fluency has onlyincreased since we began working onthis technique,’’ says Rodriguez, whowill complete her MU fieldwork clinicalplacements at the Colonial IntermediateUnit 20 in Easton, Pa., and at GeisingerMedical Center, Danville, Pa., in the falland spring, respectively. “If you lookback at his initial evaluation in March2011, his whole demeanor has changedimmensely. He has reduced allsecondary behaviors of stuttering andhas increased his eye contact.’’

There is no known cure for stuttering,so it is imperative for clinicians to findthe right strategy for their clients. ForMurgallis, his therapeutic sessions didnot yield immediate results. His speechbecame somewhat monotonous and hehad to work to increase his intonationand loudness, while maintaining fluency.

Rodriguez and Murgallis also worked onusing his strategies outside the clinicalsetting in phone calls and going outinto the community at various storesand practicing his speech inspontaneous conversations.

“Watching Terry transform over thepast couple of months to where he isnow has been nothing but a blessing,’’expresses Rodriguez. “I am grateful forbeing his clinician. He has taught me somuch about myself as a clinician as wellas about people who stutter. He reallyopened my eyes to the cognitive andaffective components of stuttering.’’

In the meantime, Murgallis andRodriguez believe their support groupalready has been a success due to itsnational recognition and growingparticipation from members of theregional community.

Mary Gulotta ’14 of Trucksville, Pa.,has seen firsthand the enormoustoll a communication disorder, and

the bullying and teasing associated withit can have on an individual. It is one ofthe reasons she chose to major inspeech-language pathology, so shecould help others – like her best friend –find the voice they all deserve.

Throughout the years, Gulotta sawhow her friend struggled with hiscommunication disorder – the result ofbeing born with a cleft palate. Post-surgery, her friend still spoke with ahypernasal voice and nasal emission.By the time they reached high school,he was uneasy when he had to speakin public.

“He used to share with me thereactions he constantly received from

people about his voice and mentionedto me that these reactions made himinsecure,’’ says Gulotta. “As a result, helimited his talking. Because of the issues

he had with speakingin public, he wouldoften ask me to speakfor him when we weretogether – whether itwas flagging down aperson in a store orordering in arestaurant.’’

Tragically, Gulotta’sclose friend lost his lifein 2012. “I was left with

only letters and poems he had written inthe last week of his life that depictedhow insecure he was,’’ says Gulotta,who hopes to raise awareness about

how bullying affects people by sharingtheir story. “After this devastating blowof losing my best friend, I channeled mysadness into an even greater resolve tobe able to give people a voice and theability to communicate.’’

Gulotta’s commitment to her field andto people with communication disorderswas recognized when she was awardedthe 2013 Von Drach MemorialScholarship by the PennsylvaniaSpeech-Language-Hearing Associationin April. The award is presentedannually to an outstanding student fromone of Pennsylvania’s 14 SLP schools. Itis given to a student who exhibits strongleadership abilities, outstandingacademic performance, exceptionalclinical skills and scholarship withinthe profession.

SP

EE

CH

-LA

NG

UA

GE

PA

TH

OL

OG

Y

Terrence Murgalis ‘16 andMidori Rodriguez ‘14, at left,are engaged in a therapeuticsession at the MisericordiaUniversity Speech-Languageand Hearing Center.

Terrence Murgallis ‘16practices the air-flowmanagement techniqueMidori Rodriquez ‘14taught him so hecould manage hisown stuttering.

Mary Gulotta ‘14

From previous page

SLP students establish only NSA-recognized support group in NEPA

SLP student works to help people find the voice they deserve

Misericordia, Penn researcherscollaborate on stuttering study

Marilyn Monroe was bestknown for her breathy voice,but few people know that theiconic actress struggled withstuttering throughout her life.

Vice President Joe Biden, basketballlegend Shaquille O’Neal, actor JamesEarl Jones and singer Carly Simon aresimilarly afflicted, and are listed amongthe most famous of the more than 3million people in the U.S. that stutter.

For years, researchers have looked forways to link anatomic anomalies withthe life-altering affliction and a newcutting-edge study that is underway byspeech-language pathologists at theMisericordia UniversitySpeech-Language and Hearing Centerand researchers from the University ofPennsylvania is already shedding newlight on the subject.

Professor Glen M. Tellis, Ph.D., chair,Department of Speech-LanguagePathology (SLP) and a board recognizedfluency specialist, and a pair of MUstudent researchers are among the firstin the world to study bloodconcentration and blood flow changesin the brain of normally fluent speakersand people who stutter. By perfectingnew applications of Near-InfraredSpectroscopy (NIRS) – which usesinfrared light to measure bloodconcentration in the brain – and DiffuseCorrelation Spectroscopy (DCS) – whichmeasures blood flow in the externalparts of the cortex where speech isregistered – the research team hopes tobetter assess blood oxygen saturation,hemoglobin concentration and bloodflow when a person is singing, readingaloud and silently, and talking.

The team hopes to use theinformation to improve assessment andtreatment for those who stutter.

Fourth year SLP students MaryGulotta ‘14, of Trucksville, Pa., andClaire Cellary ‘14, of Gloversville, N.Y.,have been participating in the researchsince the pilot study began. They havetraveled from Dallas to Philadelphia,Pa., as often as once a week to workwith physicists at Penn.

“This is one of the frontier topics in

SLP. Penn is a leader in diffused lightresearch and the team was one of thefirst to conduct a study of the brain withregard to stuttering. They created theirown assessment tool, a scannerattached to a cap lined with probes thatrecords changes in blood concentrationand blood flow in the brain before,during and after speech,” says Dr. Tellis.

The Misericordia Speech-Languageand Hearing Center recently acquiredits own cap for NIRS testing. “Theability to give our clients withcommunicative disorders a NIRS scan,which is less invasive, more affordableand more accessible than PET scans orMRIs, will provide us with a baseline forfuture testing,” Tellis says, explaining itsapplication. “It is a cutting-edge toolwith the potential to assess numerouscommunicative disorders.”

“Our work has been stressful, yet soamazing,” says Cellary. “To think wemight be able to help determine howdisabilities, such as stuttering, happenin the brain … this is so cutting edgeand really exciting.”

“Having the chance to collaboratewith an Ivy League university where welearn and share information on thenewest instrumentation is very

rewarding,” adds Gulotta.Both students were presenters, along

with Dr. Tellis, at the AmericanSpeech-Language-Hearing AssociationConference in Atlanta, Ga., inNovember, and again at thePennsylvania Speech-HearingAssociation Conference in April.

Dr. Tellis is the lead author on a paperon this innovative research, which isco-authored by Rickson C. Mesquitafrom the Institute of Physics at theUniversity of Campinas, Brazil, and A.G.Yodh, from the Department of Physicsand Astronomy at Penn.

“Up until now, very few in the worldhave looked at this technology for thisapplication. This method of study is inits infancy,” Tellis adds. “I am excited toexplain how we can apply thistechnology to better serve and treatSLP clients.”

18 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

SP

EE

CH

-LA

NG

UA

GE

PA

TH

OL

OG

Y

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

University of Pennsylvania physicist MalavikaChandra, standing rear, watches asMisericordia SLP students Mary Gulotta ‘14,left, and Claire Cellary ‘14, center, use NIRSsensors to study changes in the brain duringspeech of Steven Schenkel, Jr., also aUniversity of Pennsylvania physicist.

19S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

INT

ER

NS

HIP

S

Adult learner promotesGrammy-nominated rock band’s new album as part of NYC internship

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

H I S

An internship with themid-town Manhattan, N.Y.,subsidiary of the third largest

record company in the world might beintimidating to some, but not toChristopher Visconti ’13 – a student inthe Misericordia University ExpresswayProgram.

Having operated his own business as aconcert promoter since he was 16,Visconti had plenty of experience to drawfrom when he opened the doors inJanuary to an internship with Fueled byRamen, an Atlantic Records company onSixth Avenue. There was no time for alearning curve as the businessadministration major was immediatelyimmersed in the work of helping tocreate and execute marketing plans forartists, including Twenty One Pilotsand Paramore.

The Grammy-nominated rock bandParamore launched a new record onAtlantic’s Fueled by Ramen record labeltwo months later and the response wasswift. The self-titled release opened at#1 on the Billboard Charts with sales of106,000 in the first week.

“There was nothing typical about thisinternship,” the Stroudsburg, Pa. nativesays. “It was definitely baptism by fire.The marketing plan for the Paramorelaunch was 120-pages long. I have toadmit, I just tried to keep it all in

perspective and help where I could.It was an intense experience.”

Visconti worked with social mediamarketing managers to strategize onhow to come up with new andinventive ways to sell more recordsfor the already popular band.“Ironically, when Paramore droppedthe first single from the album, therewere so many pre-orders that thewebstore site crashed,” he says. “It wasbeyond what any of us ever expected.”

Visconti started his collegiate careerat his local community college. Hechose the Misericordia ExpresswayProgram to complete his bachelor’sdegree in business administrationbecause it offered him the flexibility totake all of his classes online whilecontinuing to run his business – TheFleet Company – from his home. He hasalso been able to schedule classes yearround so he can complete his degree inas little time as possible. Having startedat Misericordia in the summer of 2012,he is on track to earn his bachelor’sdegree in December 2013.

Adding the 16-hour-a-week internshipin New York City to the mix has beenthe ultimate time managementchallenge – forcing him to dedicateschoolwork to weekends – but it hasdefinitely put him on the fast track to acareer in the music industry.

His father owned the now defunctPennsylvania Monster Factory in EastStroudsburg, Pa., where he beganbooking metal band shows as asophomore in high school. He officiallylaunched his business in 2007 andbegan marketing shows and festivals,and negotiating contracts for touringbands across Pennsylvania.

At age 22, he is already wellestablished in the industry. He hasworked with numerous national artists,including Title Fight, The Story So Farand The Acacia Strain. He was involvedwith the booking and promotion of theidobi Meltdown Festival in Washington,D.C., in March that was sponsored bythe rock Internet radio station, idobi. Itfeatured Circa Survive and Minus theBear as headliners. He launched his ownpersonal metal festival, ThePennsylvania Deathbed Festival, inJune in Allentown, Pa. The inauguralevent attracted 600 concert goers andfeatured headliners Impending Doomand Texas in July.

“There was nothing typical about this internship. It was definitely baptism by fire. Themarketing plan for the Paramore launch was 120-pages long.”

Christopher Visconti ‘13

– Christopher Visconti ‘13

M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y20

Joel Stepanchick ‘05 is aforensic scientist for the

Pennsylvania State Police.

AL

UM

NI

PR

OF

ILE

CSIMisericordia

Alumnus finds answers for criminal investigators as a PSP forensic scientist

BY TOM VENESKY

Joel Stepanchick ’05 didn’t knowwhere he wanted his career path to takehim, but he was certain of where hewanted it to begin.

The Schuylkill County nativegraduated from high school in 2001 and needed one visit to MisericordiaUniversity before deciding that’s wherehe would further his education anddevelop a career as a forensic scientistfor the Pennsylvania State Police.

“After visiting campus during mysenior year of high school, I fell in lovewith it and had a wonderful experiencemeeting with the science department,”says Stepanchick, who graduatedsumma cum laude from MU as the classvaledictorian. “Misericordia ended upbeing the only college I applied tobecause I knew that was where I wantedto continue my education.”

Location, an excellent academicreputation and core values, such asservice and leadership, quicklypersuaded Stepanchick that Misericordiawas the perfect fit. He majored in biologyand graduated in 2005. That’s whenStepanchick hit a period of uncertainty.

“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do once I graduated until I did some research on forensic science,”adds Stepanchick, who also receivedthe Dr. Tatjana Petrychenko Award inrecognition of his outstandingachievements in biology while astudent at Misericordia.

Stepanchick took his biology degreeand enrolled in Arcadia University wherehe earned a master’s degree in forensicscience. Still, Stepanchick’s time atMisericordia continued to guide himthrough graduate school and eventuallyinto his current career with a solideducation in all areas of science – frombiology to biochemistry.

“Misericordia also helped me preparefor a future career in forensic science byproviding me experience in the interviewprocess, resume writing and otherprofessional preparations,” he says.

Today, Stepanchick is a forensicscientist supervisor in the SerologySection of the PSP Crime Lab inBethlehem, Pa. He resides in Frackville,Pa., with his wife Ann, who graduatedsumma cum laude from Misericordia in2005 with a degree in biology. Heoversees a lab that covers Schuylkill,Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks andMontgomery counties.

In the Serology Section, Stepanchickand his team analyze evidencesubmitted by local law enforcementagencies for the presence of bodilyfluids, such as blood and semen. Theyalso identify whether hair found onevidence is human or animal, and theyare called to crime scenes to provideexpertise in bloodstain pattern analysis.

Does it sound a little bit like apopular crime show on television, suchas “CSI”?

Well, Stepanchick said suchcomparisons are a double-edgedsword.

“While it does bring increasedattention and focus to the field, it alsocauses some unrealistic expectations,such as speedy turnaround times and the idea that one person doeseverything in a case,’’ he explains. “The best part of the job to me is therole I play in the criminal justice system.It is rewarding to know that my role incrime investigation could potentiallyhelp to bring justice to a criminal oreven demonstrate the innocence of a suspect.”

With television shows such as CSI andNCIS dramatically increasing the popularity of the forensic sciencefield, Stepanchick said there has been a huge upswing in the number ofinstitutions of higher education offeringprograms to train students for therewarding career. Jobs in the forensicscience field are not easy to come by,he says, and a strong background inareas such as biology and chemistry arecrucial.

“The science department atMisericordia did an excellent job ofpreparing me for a graduate program in forensic science and a career,”Stepanchick says. “It provided me with the core background in all areas of science, whether it be biology,chemistry or biochemistry.”

21S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

HIS

TO

RY

Michelle Bruno ’14 brushes off thesuggestion that she’s the reason along-missing symbol of Misericordiatradition has been returned to its properplace atop the historic archway at the mainentrance of the upper campus.

Employees of Masonry PreservationServices of Bloomsburg, Pa., finished theinstallation of a new modified Celtic crosson top of the left turret of the TudorGothic-styled archway on May 9, 2013,completing a restoration project that beganafter a high school senior from Cherry Hill,N.J., noticed it was missing in 2009.

“When I was touring our school, Iremembered seeing images of the crossand the arches, and that image was veryvivid in my mind,’’ recalls Bruno, thedaughter of Greg and Lynne Bruno. “Whenwe got here, I realized the cross wasn’t here.I think that image – since it is advertised somuch in our school – it is important that itmatches what’s in the pamphlets.’’

The Bruno family in fall 2012 committedthemselves to supporting the University. Mr.and Mrs. Bruno asked their daughter, at thattime a member of the women’s swim team,how their gift should be designated for useand she chose the restoration of the cross.

“My parents wanted my opinion and theyexplained to me they were going to donateto the school and asked me where I thoughtthe money should go,’’ says Bruno, aspeech-language pathology major. “TheUniversity has the charisms and it has thecommunity it says it has, but concretely theimages didn’t match up. Now we are madewhole again.’’

Throughout its 89-year history, the archhas been both a landmark and a symbol ofMisericordia for generations of students andregional residents since it was erected in theearly 1930’s – shortly after the first classgraduated in 1928. The arch took on addedprominence when the institution became aUniversity in 2007 and adopted a new

logo featuring an emblematic image ofthe archway.

“As a Catholic parent of a Jewish child,it almost moves me to tears,’’ says Mr.Bruno, who donated stock to Misericordiato finance the worthwhile project. “I amproud to support the school. I was tellingher (Michelle) last night that the pictureJim (Bebla, director of development) hadsent to us was one of the proudest thingswe have ever done.

“We try to teach our children to give,”he says, adding, “There’s a Jewish saying:‘Save one life, save the entire world.’ Weare not saving the world here, but it iscertainly giving back. For her to choosethat over anything else is stunning – I wasstunned happily.’’

Whatever became of the originalcross that was constructed of wroughtiron remains a mystery to this day. Itdisappeared somewhere between 1960and 1980. Some have suggested it wasremoved due to weather-related damage,like a lightning strike, or it simplydeteriorated due to the elements andwas taken down for safety reasons.

The new cross, though, has beendesigned to stand the test of time.Masonry Preservation Services, BautStudios of Swoyersville, Pa., andrepresentatives of Misericordiacollaborated on the design, which is similarto the original. Baut Studios completedits fabrication.

The cross is 72-inches tall and isconstructed of aluminum. At its widestpoint, the corbels near the top are 20-incheswide. A powder-coat finish was used tosimulate the patina of brass and to standthe test of time.

A donor who wished to remainanonymous also contributed to therestoration of the cross atop thehistoric archway.

Student, her family and anonymous foundation supportproject to replace long-missing cross on historic archway

TraditionRestoring

the symbolof

BY PAUL KRZYWICK ITURN THE PAGE: Follow the cross’creation and placement atop the archon pages 22-23.

22 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

HIS

TO

RY

“We try to teach our children to give.There’s a Jewish saying: ‘Save one life,save the entire world.’ We are notsaving the world here, but it iscertainly giving back.” – Greg Bruno

23S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Masonry Preservation Services, Inc., craftsmanMike Mylet, below left, places the new cross atopthe archway at the main gate of the uppercampus. Frank Bullock, at right, a fabricator atBaut Studios re-examines the plans andspecifications for the cross after making it in theSwoyersville, Pa., facility.

24 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

AL

UM

NI

PR

OF

ILE

s a member ofthe faculty atthe University

of Michigan (U-M)Medical Center for 32

years, pediatricpathologist Kathleen

Heidelberger, M.D., ’61,helped find treatments forpediatric cancer through

tumor analysis andworked to improve the

survival rate of hearttransplant surgeries

through heart transplantbiopsy. One of

Misericordia’s firstgraduates to earn amedical degree, her

challenging career pathalso opened doors for

women in medicine at atime when less than 7 percent of doctors

were women.

Yet, when asked about what sheconsiders the highlights of her career,the retired pathologist says that she isequally proud of the notion that hertime spent teaching in the medicalcenter helped inspire her residents intosuccessful careers in pathology.

Dr. Heidelberger still marvels at thememory of a surprise ceremony in 2001when her residents presented her with aclock in appreciation for her many years

of service at U-M. “I feel I entered thefield of pathology because I call it like Isee it,” she says. “I received plenty of encouragement throughout myeducation and I am happy to know I wasable to pass that along to my residentsand see them excel in the field I foundso rewarding.”

A number of those she taught andmentored have gone onto impressivepositions in pathology at cutting-edgemedical facilities, including the MayoClinic, and have credited her for ignitinga passion in them for what many wouldconsider an unconventional career field.

Dr. Heidelberger’s pioneering andnurturing spirit was evident early on.She decided as a youngster that shewanted to be a doctor, even though atthe time she had never met a womanphysician. Greatly influenced by thenuns who taught in her Catholicelementary school, she was told by herfifth grade teacher, Sister Norita, SSND,that she could do anything she wantedto if she put her mind to it. Inspired, shetook of full schedule of collegepreparatory classes in high school andgraduated near the top of her class.

Looking back, the native of Brooklyn,N.Y., admits she had little concept ofthe challenges she would encounterover her career path. She enrolled atMisericordia as a chemistry major andcredits the faculty and administrationfor going out of their way to makesure she was prepared for medicalschool admission.

Kit, as she is known, recalls how SisterJeanette Puetz, R.S.M., helped her taketwo labs sequentially so she couldcomplete both the biology andchemistry credits she needed. She twicesought a dean’s approval to take morecredits in one semester than wereallowed and still found time to write forthe “Miss Recordia” student newspaper,compete on the debate team and tutor

Pediatric pathologistopens doors for women

in medicine

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

“I never want to see astudent put aside theirdreams because they

are told they aren’t goodenough or they can’t doit. I give because I wantMisericordia studentsto get the chancesthey deserve ...”

Kathleen Heidelberger, M.D., ‘61

A

Paving theWay

AL

UM

NI P

RO

FIL

E

S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 25

a fellow student in her courses. Sheearned her Bachelor of Science degreein chemistry, cum laude, in 1961.

Faced with the fact that many medicalschools at the time did not acceptwomen, she was forced to pare downher list of potential medical schoolsbefore she even began the applicationprocess. Her diligent preparation paid offand she was accepted to the Woman’sMedical College of Pennsylvania (MCP),the world’s first medical school forwomen in the U.S.

Making the most of her opportunity,the future doctor excelled in theclassroom. She also used her expertiseas editor of an award-winning edition ofher high school yearbook to co-edit theMCP yearbook. Success followed andshe graduated at the top of her medicalschool class in 1965.

Armed with a medical degree, sheagain tested the waters. She applied

and was the first woman from MCPaccepted for an internship at DartmouthMedical School – one of the oldest andmost prestigious medical schools in thecountry and one that previously did notaccept women.

“I was the only woman in a group of16 interns and I had to live in the nurses’quarters for weeks after I arrived becausethey didn’t have accommodations for awoman in the interns’ residence. Thatalone says volumes about the challengeswe faced,” she adds.

Dr. Heidelberger joined the pathologyfaculty at the U-M Medical School in1970 and became a full professor in1980. In addition to teaching, she wasinvolved with the Society for PediatricPathology and helped establish boardcertification for the specialty field. Shealso earned board certification inanatomic and clinical pathology. Theauthor of more than 50 scientific papers

and presentations, her areas of specialinterest included Hirschsprung’s disease,pediatric tumor diagnosis, hearttransplant biopsy, and the pulmonaryeffects of congenital heart disease.

The only time her career took heraway from U-M was to serve as a visitingprofessor for Harvard University at theChildren’s Hospital Medical Center inBoston, Mass.

Her outstanding careeraccomplishments and pioneering spiritearned her Misericordia’s highest alumniaward in 1991, the Mother MaryCatherine McGann Alumni AchievementAward. She retired with additionalaccolades in 2002.

A member of the Heart ofMercy Society at Misericordia, Dr.Heidelberger is among a group ofstalwart supporters who have includedMisericordia in their estate planning. “Ireceived a partial scholarship when Iattended Misericordia and it is onlyright that I give back to the school thathelped me achieve my goals. I feel it isour responsibility to society to helpothers if we have the means, especiallythose who have helped us,” she opines.

“I never want to see a student putaside their dreams because they aretold they aren’t good enough or theycan’t do it,” she adds. “I give because Iwant Misericordia students to get thechances they deserve, the samechances I received as a student.”

Dr. Heidelberger lives with herhusband, retired child psychiatristCharles Davenport, M.D., in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dr. Kathleen Heidelberger,M.D., ‘61 and her husband, Dr. Charles Davenport, M.D., are shown at a receptionhonoring her retirementfrom the University ofMichigan in 2002

26 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

AL

UM

NI

PR

OF

ILE

Dr. Marie Pachence Reeves, Ed.D.,’62 experienced the first of many cultureshocks in her life when she arrived inDallas, Pa., in 1958 for her first year as acollegian at Misericordia. Reeves, whocame from a modest background andthe public school system, was thankfulfor the opportunity to attend college.

She credits the Religious Sisters ofMercy, the founders and sponsors ofMisericordia, for shaping and preparingher for a life that eventuallyencountered many different culturesand different worlds after she graduatedin 1962 with a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in biology.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s,Misericordia still was an all-women’sschool where the sisters played manyimportant rolls inside and outside of theclassroom. Along with rigorousacademic courses, Reeves attendedcharm classes, afternoon teas, formaldinners, art appreciation classes andsocials. These non-academic activitieswere designed to prepare women fortraditional roles in that era. Times,though, were changing fast and theplace for women was becoming lessconventional, according to Reeves.

Misericordia prepared her with awell-rounded education to deal withthose changing times. The sistersinstilled in her the qualities that shewould use many times later in life.“Mercy, Service, Justice andHospitality,’’ she says, repeatingMisericordia’s charisms that remain trueto this day at the University. “I did notknow fully what they meant, but in thecoming years I would be tested.’’

The sense of Service that was instilledin her was useful in the various jobs sheheld. Upon retirement as vice presidentfor quality from Science ApplicationsInternational Corp., a Fortune 500company, Reeves was at odds with whatseemed to her to be a lack of purpose.That is when she began a second careeras a civilian senior scientist with the U.S.Army. Among Reeves’ accolades is therecently awarded Superior CivilianService Award, which the Department ofthe Army bestowed upon her foroutstanding service. The award citesReeves’ accomplishments as a scientist,teacher and mentor during her time inthe Army’s Medical Research andMateriel Command.

The award gave her a sense ofgratification, knowing that she played asmall role in helping the country’s youngsoldiers. “There are plenty of peoplewho did a whole lot more than I did,”she says about the award, one of thehighest civilian honors the Armybestows. “It’s good to know that as weage, we can still be of value.’’

Following graduation fromMisericordia, Reeves went to the Catholic

University of America on a scholarship,which was arranged by Sister MiriamTheresa, RSM.

At Catholic University, she finished amaster’s degree in microbiology andwould eventually earn a doctorate inscience education and statistics fromthe University of Virginia. In the late1960’s, Reeves moved to San Francisco,Calif., for her first job with the U.S. Foodand Drug Administration. Herassignments in years to come wouldtake her to Ghana, Vietnam, Hong Kongand Taiwan.

Reeves found many opportunities topractice that sense of Service to others.Some of her community Service workinvolves the Special Olympics and theLiteracy Council. In her professional life,she was devoted to the discovery anddevelopment of cancer therapeuticsand AIDS vaccines.

Since Reeves’ academic and lifejourney began with a scholarship toMisericordia, she is hoping in somesmall way to help provide similaropportunities for future students atMisericordia University through a legacygift in the Heart of Mercy Society.

Department of the Armypresents alumna with theSuperior Civilian Award

BY TOM VENESKY

“She identified barriers, formulated solutions, determined the appropriatecourse of action, and implemented solutions. Her dedication and selflessservice are in keeping with the highest traditions of Federal Servicereflecting great credit upon her, the United States Army MedicalResearch and Materiel Command, and the United States Army.’’

Award signed by George W. Weightman, MG, MC, Commanding General

Dr. Marie Reeves poses with Col. Jeffrey Davies,representing Gen. Weightman, after being presentedwith the Superior Civilian Service Award. It is one ofthe highest civilian honors the Army awards.

TRUET O T H E

TENETS

27S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

AL

UM

NI A

ND

DO

NO

R R

EL

AT

ION

S

SAVE THE DATE!

University Advancement hasnamed Amy Lingobardo as theassistant director of Alumni andDonor Relations.

She has extensive experience inevent management and constituentrelations. She previously served asmanager of marketing and electroniccommunications at TheCommonwealth Medical College,Scranton, Pa. At MU, she isresponsible for fostering relationshipswith alumni, volunteers, and donorsthrough the planning and executionof a year-round program of eventsand activities. She also is working tocreate and implement a studentphilanthropy and education program.

Lingobardo joins Alumniand Donor Relations team

Misericordia University is headed to Europe! The Alumni Relations team is finalizinga fall 2014 alumni trip through London and Paris. The tentative timeframe is scheduled formid-October to early November. More information will be available in upcoming weeksincluding an itinerary, tour and airline fees. For more information, please contact AmyLingobardo, assistant director, Alumni and Donor Relations, at (570) 674-6228. To be addedto the electronic mailing list as information becomes available, please emailalingoba@misericordia.edu.

Share your travel adventures with ourschool mascot this summer and early fall.We’re looking for alumni to share photoswith Archibald McGrowl while at home oraway. Alumni can upload the photos toour social media sites or e-mail themdirectly to Alumni Relations atalumni@misericordia.edu.

The contest runs through HomecomingWeekend, Oct. 4-6, where we’ll awardprizes for the most exotic location andmost creative photo. Please log on tocougarconnect.misericordia.edu forcomplete information.

The Alumni Relations Office also istracking Archie’s travels abroad on aGoogle map. Please go tohttp://bit.ly/archiemcgrowl to see whereArchie has been recently. Check back withus often as his global adventures will beupdated periodically.

MU&YOU

Alumni Association welcomes Botzman family

As we anticipate a new school year at

Misericordia, I would like to welcome our

new first family, Tom, Vanessa and Gabriela

Botzman. As a member of the Presidential

Search Committee, I am proud to say that

we made an excellent selection for our 13th

president. Please welcome the Botzmans

into our Misericordia family.

Have you passed through the arches of

our beautiful campus lately? I urge you to

plan a visit if you haven’t visited

Misericordia’s campus lately. Our upcoming

homecoming would be a great time to

reconnect with old classmates and faculty.

Tailgating is an art, and we raise it to a new

level in Cougar Village, situated between

Alumnae Hall and the Hafey-McCormick

Science Building. Personally, I was amazed

to be walking around the parking lot on a

glorious fall day sipping a “grown-up”

beverage!

It is never too early to start planning next

year’s Alumni Weekend. It is a big one for

me – my 35th. To my fellow classmates of

’79, you can expect to hear more from me

and our class agents in the very near future.

Does your class have a special anniversary

year to celebrate? Remember, this is your

Alumni Association. Please contact our

Alumni Office – (570) 674-6764 – if you wish

to discuss planning special events for your

class. This is the perfect opportunity to

reconnect with old friends while building

new memories.

Alumni News

Kelly SpencerMcAndrew ’79

For more information aboutalumni events and news,visit the MU website:misericordia.edu/alumni

College classmates andfriends from left, Mary Kelly’51, Catherine “Katie”O’Toole Frank ’51, and

Gerry Ribaudo DeMarco ’51 reunited in2013 at Mary’s home in Auburn, N.Y. Thealumnae have remained in touch sinceCommencement by phone and were ableto reunite in person. While taking thephoto, MU Todaystaff were told theladies broke intothe MisericordiaAlma Mater anddidn’t miss a word!

Agnes Bradley Kennedy ’61 washonored at the State ofMaryland Annual Meeting inApril for being a member ofThe Academy of Nutrition

and Dietetics and the Maryland affiliate for50 years. She has been employed as anadministrative dietitian at the VeteransAdministration Hospital in Baltimore, Md.;outpatient dietitian at St. Joseph Hospitaland Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, Md.; andstaff dietitian on the interdisciplinary teamfor patients with developmental disabilitiesat the Department of Health and MentalHygiene Rosewood facility, Owings Mills,Md. She and her husband have threegrown children and six grandchildren.

Dr. Elizabeth Edmunds ’66receivedPAFP’s 2013Family

Physician of the Year Award.Those who wrote lettersurging the PAFP to consider her for theaward included colleagues, medicalstudents and residents, as well as patientsfrom age 12 to 75.

Agnes Toloczko Cardoni'69, Ph.D., was awardedtenure and promotion toassociate professor at

Marywood University. A member of theMisericordia Alumni Council, Dr, Cardoni isalso the co-author, with the late Dr. ReginaKelly, RSM, of the history of CollegeMisericordia, At the Edge of Centuries:College Misericordia 1914-1999.

Michael Dunleavy ’83 waselected as state senator forDistrict D in Wasilla, Alaska.He graduated with a

Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Sheila Koepke Heck ’87and her husband, Richard,celebrated their 25th weddinganniversary on April 23,

2013. Sheila is a director of nursing. Thecouple has three children: Samantha, 20,Alexandra, 18, and Noah, 14. The couplecelebrated with a family dinner and a trip tothe Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Erwine Home Health andHospice Inc., of Kingston,Pa., sponsored Bill Cosby atthe F.M. Kirby Center for the

Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre. Pa.Presenting a seated Bill Cosby with an MUhoodie, from left, are Megan Erwine,Allen Erwine, Peggy Meck Amory '01and Mary Hudack Erwine '90.

Stephanie Cheek Williams’95 and her husband, Robert,welcomed daughter, AlyssaHope, on April 30, 2013.

Dana Lausterer ’96 andBradley Grant Lorah choseSkytop Lodge for their Sept.8, 2012 nuptials. Dana is a

certified registered nurse anesthetist forNortheast Anesthesia Inc. Following awedding trip to Morrea, Tahiti, the coupleresides in Scranton, Pa.

Brian T. Egan, Esq. ’96 was selected bythe Irish Echo newspaper as one of the“Irish Top 40 Under 40” of up and comingleaders of Irish America from around thenation. He is a partner in Egan & Golden,

Class NotesStay in touch with friends and classmates by posting updates about your career, family and other noteworthy accomplishments on cougarconnect.misericordia.edu or facebook.com/MisericordiaAlumni. Submit Class Notes to Lailani Augustine at laugusti@misericordia.edu.

‘51

‘61

‘83

‘87

‘90

‘95‘96

‘66

‘69

28 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

LLP, with offices in Patchogue and EastHampton, N.Y. He is the village attorneyfor multiple villages on Long Island andpractices in the fields of municipal lawand commercial litigation. Attorney Eganlives in Patchogue, N.Y., with his wife,Jennine Egan.

Dr. Todd Glynn and LauraPhillips Howell ’03renewed their weddingvows on the beach of the

Polynesian resort at Walt Disney Worldon Dec. 10, 2011. They were celebratingfour years ofmarriage. Thecouple’s three-year-old son was inattendance. Laura isa stay at home mom and a proudgraduate of the 2003 nursing class. Shewas an endoscopy nurse at GeneralHospital until the birth of the couple’s son.

Dr. Jonelle Marie Hook’04 and Robert JohnLushefski Jr., were marriedNov. 9, 2012.

William Lewis, Jr. ’05 andMaureenMargaretLynn

were married Aug. 11,2012.

Jody Wilbur Hollister ’05 and herhusband, Jason, welcomed a daughter,Autumn, on Nov. 11, 2012.

Melissa Bartholomew ’05 and RobertBartholomew were married April 15, 2013.

Joel Stepanchick ’05 and Ann Evans’05 were married April 19, 2013.

Dr. Megan Gilbert ’06 ’08joined the Excel PhysicalTherapy and Fitness teamin September 2011 as a

staff physical therapist at the Bensalem,Pa., location. Megan graduated with aMaster’s degree in physical therapy andalso earned a Doctorate in PhysicalTherapy.

Jillian Bush ’06 and Michael Sando weremarried May 17, 2012, on the beach inPunta Cana with family and friends. Jillianis employed as an ultrasoundtechnologist at Wilkes-Barre GeneralHospital. They live in Nanticoke, Pa.

Kelly Blinn ’07 and NolanChristopher Hahnexchanged vows on May20, 2011, at the

Stroudsmoor Inn. Kelly is employed byPocono Medical Center, Stroudsburg, Pa.

Jamie Derr ’07 andWilliam DesRosiers ’09were married at St.Matthew’s Catholic Churchon Nov. 10, 2012. Thecouple met at Misericordiain 2005 and have beentogether ever since!

Hollie Ann Suda ’07 and MichaelAnthony DiMare ’07 were marriedSept. 10, 2011.

Jacqueline Paul ’07 and her husband,George Layaou, were married Aug. 13,2010.

Molly Anne Martin ’08and Matthew Pietrzakwere married Oct. 20,2012. Molly is a registered

radiologic technologist at MedExpressUrgent Care, Edwardsville, Pa., andGeisinger Community Medical Center,Scranton, Pa. They honeymooned inMontego Bay, Jamaica. They reside inMiners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Allison Everett ’09 andMichael Wagner weremarried June 16, 2012 atSt. Martha’s Church,

Fairmount Springs, Pa. Allison is aphysical therapist at GeisingerHealthsouth Rehab Hospital, Danville,Pa. The couple honeymooned in PuntaCana. They live in Huntington Mills, Pa.

Colleen McGrady ’09 welcomed agranddaughter, Addison Potsko, on June20, 2012.

David Golaszewski ’09 and JillianMarie Ladner were married Dec. 28,2012. David is employed at PowerChiropractic: Center for Healthy Livingas the billing manager, X-ray technician,and nutrition and exercise coach. Thecouple honeymooned in Antigua and livein Edwardsville, Pa.

Alyson Mae Neely ’09 and KeithRichard Culver, Jr. were married Oct. 14,2012 at the Inne of the Abingtons inDalton, Pa. Alyson works in social

services at the Meadows Nursing andRehabilitation Center, Dallas, Pa. Thecouple honeymooned in Walt DisneyWorld and reside in Hunlock Creek, Pa.

Rachel A. Selert ’10 andJeremy Witner were marriedOct. 9, 2010. Rachel is atherapist at Weatherwood

Nursing Home with GuardianRehabilitation. The couplehoneymooned in Maui,Hawaii. They also welcomedKaden Jerome on Feb. 22,2013. Kaden weighed 9pounds, 6 ounces andwas 23-inches long.They live in Weatherly,Pa.

Mario Oliveri ’10 was promoted toconsultant in the Premium SalesDepartment of the New York Yankees.He is responsible for an account baseconsisting of numerous Fortune 500companies and is challenged with amulti-million dollar new business goalevery year. He earned his degree insport management.

Jessica Pucci ’11 and JohnDamiano were married June22, 2012 at United MethodistChurch. Jessica is a

radiology information system analyst forGeisinger Community Medical Center.They honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico,and live in Peckville, Pa.

Kayla Justine Kendra ’11 and MatthewDewey were married July 21, 2012.Kayla is a special education teacher inthe Caroline County Public SchoolDistrict in Maryland. The couplehoneymooned at the Majestic EleganceResort in Punta Cana, DominicanRepublic, and live in Federalsburg, Md.

Brittany Adair ’11 and Dennis Hartlovewere married Nov. 27, 2011. Brittany isemployed as a therapeutic staff supportwith CCRES. They live in Ephrata, Pa.

Alicia Grandinetti ’12 and MichaelHolley were married Oct. 13, 2012 atQueen of Angels Parish, Jessup, Pa.Alicia is employed by Allied ServicesSkilled Nursing Center. They honey-mooned in St. Lucia and live in Jessup.

Julia Truax ’12 and Matthew Leighow’11 were married on Dec. 1, 2012.

‘07

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘03

‘04‘05

‘06

29S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Maintain your MU friendshipsfor a lifetime by registering on CougarConnect

8 7 TH A N N U A L

COMMENCEMENT

CEREMONYMore MU memories can be found athttp://bit.ly/MUSpringComm13

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at:alumni@misericordia.edu or visit: cougarconnect.misericordia.edu

Alumni Volunteer Program: Contact Denise Miscavage ’97 at (570) 674-6248to be an admissions, alumni/development or career services volunteer.

The Misericordia Universitycommunity will recognize thepresidency of Thomas J.

Botzman, Ph.D., with a weeklong seriesof events culminating in a formalInauguration Ceremony on Friday, Nov.15. The activities will celebrate the keyaspects of the Misericordia experiencewith a focus on quality academics andservice to others in the tradition of theUniversity’s founders and sponsors, theReligious Sisters of Mercy.

“I am looking forward to my tenurehere and celebrating with the campus,our friends and our community,” says Dr.Botzman. “I have quickly come tounderstand that the best thing aboutMisericordia University is the people. Ihave enjoyed learning about the history,successes, challenges, and aspirations ofMisericordia University from speakingwith our students, faculty, staff andalumni. Inauguration week activities areabout all of these groups and otherscoming together to celebrate oursuccess and look to the future.”

Inauguration Day begins with Mass at10:30 a.m. in Lemmond Theater. TheInauguration ceremony begins at 2 p.m.in Lemmond Theater and will includerepresentation from all Misericordiaconstituencies. An open reception willfollow the ceremony.

Inauguration Day will be punctuatedwith special events days before and after

the event. On Wednesday, Nov. 13,Campus Ministry and other studentgroups will showcase national andinternational student volunteer work withspecial displays in the Banks Student LifeCenter. Other student groups expect tohold events on that day as well.

A showcase of faculty research andscholarly work will occur during theweek. The campus community and thepublic are invited to attend. Otheracademic presentations and guestspeakers may be added to the scheduleas planning is still underway.

The week will include a communityservice project on Saturday morning, Nov.16 involving Dr. Botzman, students,faculty, staff and alumni. More details willfollow. The Trustee Associates Gala, whichrecognizes the University’s generousdonors, is the week’s final event. It isscheduled for Saturday night at 7 p.m.

For more information on InaugurationWeek and to see the latest updates,please visit the University’s web site atwww.misericordia.edu/13thpresident.

Inauguration ceremonyto welcome MU’s 13thWeeklong series of activities leads up to Nov. 15 event

S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

OF

FIC

E O

F T

HE

PR

ES

IDE

NT

Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., officiallybecame the 13th president ofMisericordia University on July 1, 2013.

Dr. Botzman hadserved as vice presidentfor business and financeat St. Mary’s College ofMaryland since 2004,where he was also aprofessor of economics.His areas of

responsibility have included finance,human resources, facilities andmaintenance, information technology,government relations, athletics, sailing,and public safety. He also served asinterim vice president for developmentand secretary to the Board of Trusteesin 2009-10.

Dr. Botzman previously served for 15years on the faculty at Mount UnionCollege in Ohio. He also worked as theassociate academic dean during the2003-04 academic year and as directorof international studies from 1993 to1997. He was a visiting professor andFulbright Scholar at the University ofthe Americas in Mexico City, Mexico,teaching there four times from 1992through 1996. He was named anAmerican Council on Education Fellowin 2002. Dr. Botzman worked in industryprior to becoming a faculty memberand is the inventor of 12 U.S. patents.

“Dr. Botzman’s background andexpertise matched MisericordiaUniversity’s agenda for new leadershipperfectly. He brings significantenthusiasm for this important leadershipposition, and a broad array of successfulexperiences that will enable him to buildon the momentum our University hasexperienced over these last 15 years,”said Misericordia University TrusteeChristopher Borton, who chaired thepresidential search committee.

Dr. Botzman earned a degree inengineering from Case WesternReserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.He also holds a master’s in economicsand a Ph.D. in business administrationfrom Kent State University in Kent,Ohio. In 2011, he was a participant inHarvard University’s Institute forExecutive Management.

Dr. Botzman and his wife, Vanessa,have one daughter, Gabriela, who willbe a freshman in the fall at theUniversity of Mount Union.

Thomas J. Botzman13th president of Misericordia University

31

The Inauguration Ceremony will be held inLemmond Theater in Walsh Hall.

BY J IM ROBERTS

President Botzman greetsnew students at orientation

Misericordia University PresidentThomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., greetedfirst-year students and their familiesduring the first series of orientationprograms on June 28-29.

He talked to students and familiesabout the University’s charisms, rigorousacademics and the personal attentionthey will receive to ensure their success.

32 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

Sitting side-by-side at theGolden/Golden Plus Luncheonof Alumni Weekend 2013,

Florence Hughes Sherwood ’50 andJoyce Saunders Stocker ’53 laughedtogether in a way that might make youthink they are sisters. They have hadplenty of practice. Friends since highschool, the two developed a life-longbond while taking music classestogether at Misericordia in 1948. At the next table, Nancy Fraley

O’Donnell ’46 was quick toacknowledge classmate OlgaSekerchak Savage ’46, a best friendon and off the golf course since theybecame acquainted as Misericordiastudents 67 years ago. Standing nearby, elementary

education alumna Mary WalshObzansky ’63 and Tina Butera Menn’63 happily recalled being“day-hops” from the nearbyhometowns of West Pittston andExeter, Pa. They met in class anddecided to drive back and forth tocampus together. It was only fittingthat these two life-long friends drovetogether to the luncheon that washeld to celebrate the 50th Anniversaryof the Class of 1963 and those whograduated before them. There were many more great stories,

and plenty of hugs and resoundinglaughter throughout the weekend thatwas designed to invigorate the spiritof fellowship that permeates aMisericordia education. More than 150alumni and 100 guests participated inthe events that included a campus tour,games, workshops, and numerous chances to reconnect. As they stood together watching a photo slideshow provided by

library archivist Jessica Reeder at the Golden/Golden PlusLuncheon, Menn marveled at the growth of the campus andObzansky reminisced about the traditions that made her days oncampus so poignant.

“I vividly remember the MayCrowning as something very special,”Obzansky comments. “I am amazed at how the campus

has expanded and how beautiful itis,” Menn adds. When asked for a favorite memory,

Rita Ryan Mundy ’63 recalled beingsprinkled with Holy Water by theSisters of Mercy every evening beforebed. Long Island, N.Y., native JoanneDonovan Kossegi ’63 described thedaily bus ride to the house shestayed at in Shavertown as “quite anexperience.” Margaret FerdinandPasson ’63 made mention that herroommate, Frances “Nola”McFadden Riley ’63, was a memberof the student government and wasrequired to enforce the strict studentdress code. Most in attendance agreed that they

disliked having to wear stockings undertheir knee socks, yet felt the rules of the Sisters of Mercy were anintegral part of the success of a Misericordia education. “TheSisters made sure we went to bed on time and were alwaysready for class,” Patricia “Polly” Lavin Michael ’59 explains.“They would also come right to you if they heard you had aproblem. We knew we had their full support.”

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”

- St. Thomas Aquinas

Joyce Saunders Stocker ’53, left, and Florence HughesSherwood ’50 have taken family vacations togetherthanks to the friendship they developed at Misericordia.

‘Day-hops’ Mary Walsh Obzansky ‘63, left, and TinaButera Menn ‘63 were among 18 graduates of the Classof 1963 in attendance at the Golden/Golden PlusLuncheon during Alumni Weekend 2013.

AL

UM

NI

RE

LA

TIO

NS

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

Alumni are invited to visit campus during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 4-6. Activities will include the 25threunion for the Class of 1988 and special celebrations for reunion years 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013.For information, log onto CougarConnect at www.cougarconnect.misericordia.edu or call (570) 674-6768.

HOMECOMINGWEEKEND:

Class of ’63 Memory BookFor those who missed Alumni

Weekend 2013, copies of the Classof ’63 Memory Book are available.To access a digital copy, go tohttp://bit.ly/MUclassof63. For $10,you can request a printed copy thatincludes alumni contactinformation. To do so, email theAlumni Office atAlumni@misericordia.edu, call (570)674-6768, or mail a check or moneyorder to: Misericordia UniversityAlumni Relations Office, 301 LakeStreet, Dallas, PA 18612.

GoldenMemories

he Misericordia community cametogether one last time tocelebrate the presidency ofMichael A. MacDowell and to

raise money for the Michael and TinaMacDowell Endowed Scholarship Fundand the First Lady’s CampusBeautification Project during the “WatchYour Wallet Roast’’ that was held June 1at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs inPlains Twp., Pa.

The roast raised $40,000 for thescholarship fund and $15,000 tocomplete the campus beautificationproject thanks to corporate sponsorshipsand the 270 people in attendance. InMay, faculty and staff collected and madean $11,000 donation to the two funds inrecognition of the MacDowell’s 15 yearsof leadership and service.

“Tina and I were overwhelmed by themany friends who joined us at thedinner,’’ said President MacDowell, whoofficially retired June 30. “Trustees, bothpast and present, alumni from everydecade, the many friends we havedeveloped here as well as our faculty andstaff colleagues were there to wish us

well. We shared many laughs andremembrances. It was an evening we willalways remember.’’

The roast, emceed by Trustee MurrayUfberg, Esq., featured light-hearted andhumorous recollections and anecdotesfrom the board of trustees, faculty, staffand family, including Sandy Insalaco, KirkMacDowell, Dr. John Sumansky, GlennBozinski and Dr. Joseph Curran. Theevent began with an invocation by SisterCarol Rittner, RSM, and a touching toastfrom John Metz, chair of the Board of

Trustees. Trustee Monsignor Jack Bendikdelivered the Benediction.

State Sen. Lisa Baker and state Rep.Karen Boback ’73 also presented theMacDowells with citations from the stateSenate and House of Representatives.

Misericordia University dedicated theJohn and Cynthia Mulloy Dish Room inthe John and Mary Metz Dining Hall inrecognition of the couple’s generosityand more than 68 years of combinedservice to students, faculty and staff.

Flanked by family, friends and membersof the campus community, John andCynthia Mulloy of Dallas Borough, Pa.,watched as the University dedicated theMulloy Dish Room during a formalceremony on Feb. 18. A special plaquewas hung in the dining room in their honor.Afterward, a special luncheon was held

and they cut a special cake that was sharedwith members of the campus community.

The Mulloys are employees of MetzCulinary Management, which overseesdining services for the University. Mr.Mulloy has been working at Misericordiasince 1966, while his wife, Cynthia, hasbeen employed on the Back Mountaincampus for 21 years. “Our WyomingValley is called the ‘Valley with a Heart,’ ’’President Michael A. MacDowell saidduring the dedication ceremony. “OurUniversity is known for its Mercy values ofHospitality and Service. John and Cindypersonify this region and this value. Inrecognition of this fact, Misericordia’sTrustees, students, faculty and staff areproud to install this plaque and dedicatethis room in your name.’’

‘Watch Your Wallet Roast’raises $55,000 to benefitscholarship and campus funds

Mulloy Dish Room dedication honorscouple’s 68 years of service to MU

T

33S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

SP

EC

IAL

EV

EN

TS

John and Cynthia Mulloy pose for a pictureafter Misericordia University formallydedicated the John and Cynthia Mulloy DishRoom in John and Mary Metz Dining Hall.

Michael and Tina MacDowell greeted,at top, John and Mary Metz; Dr. JohnSumansky and Kurt MacDowell, atleft, and Lou Alesi, below, at theevent.

34

The Misericordia Universitycommunity officially dedicatedTambur Field on Saturday, April27 in between games of adoubleheader with Wilkes

University to acknowledge thephilanthropy and generosity of Robert L.Tambur, his family and the Tambur FamilyFoundation.

Tambur Field is situated on about fouracres of land adjacent to the John andMary Metz Field House in the AndersonOutdoor Athletic Complex near theNorth Gate of the upper campus. Theconstruction of Tambur Field took about10 months to complete, from the clearingof a wooded area to the final laying ofsod. The playing surface contains aspecial fescue blend. It was purchasedfrom Tuckahoe Turf Farms ofHammonton, N.J., which also installedthe turf. Tuckahoe Turf Farms hasprovided playing surfaces for numerousprofessional and collegiate ball parks andfootball fields, including Citizens BankPark, Fenway Park and many others.

Tambur Field’s playing surface waschosen because of its characteristics forathletic play and its maintenancefriendliness. Installed in June 2012, theCougars baseball team did not play onthe surface until the 2013 season in orderto give the sod ample time to root.

The infield dirt is a mixture known asCustom Martin Infield Mix, which hasbeen used on collegiate fieldsthroughout the northeast. The 15-footwarning track is made of Red Martin Track

Mix. The distance from home plate to theoutfield fences ranges from 330 feetdown the left and right field lines to 375feet in right and left field, and 390 feet tostraightaway center field.

The $520,000 ball park also features anelectronic scoreboard in straightaway leftfield, irrigation and sprinkler systems,individual bullpens, as well as dugoutsand bleachers.

Mr. Tambur is the chairman and CEOof Tammac Financial Corp., Wilkes-Barre,Pa., as well as the president of theAthletic Club, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, and BlueRidge Golf Club, Mountain Top, Pa. Anactive member of the community, thewell-known entrepreneur is a past boardmember of the F.M. Kirby Center andserved the Committee on EconomicGrowth. Mr. Tambur currently serves onthe board of Franklin Security Bank, theTambur Family Foundation and Hospiceof the Sacred Heart.

Mr. Tambur and his wife, Virginia, havetwo children, Bobby Tamburro and Liza,and three grandchildren.

Misericordia dedicates Tambur Field

PLAY BALL!

Robert L. Tambur throws out the first pitch at the April 27 gameagainst Wilkes University. The field officially was dedicated in honorof the Tambur family between games of the doubleheader.

Tamber Field at Misericordia University.

34

AT

HL

ET

ICS

M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A YM I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

BY PAUL KRZYWICK I

AT

HL

ET

ICS

35S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

The Cougars made the most of their new home-fieldadvantage by finishing 39-11 and winning their thirdconsecutive Freedom Conference title and NCAAChampionships berth.

Misericordia hosted the NCAA Mid-Atlantic RegionalTournament at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa., the home of the NewYork Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. The Cougars finished third in theeight-team field.

In the first game played at Tambur Field, the Cougars

recorded a 9-3 win over local rival King’s.With benefactor Robert Tambur throwing out the ceremonial

first pitch, the Cougars added a doubleheader sweep overanother local rival Wilkes when the facility was dedicated on thelast day of the regular season.

Senior Evan Robaczewski was named Freedom ConferencePitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season whileclassmate Kenny Durling rewrote much of the Misericordiabaseball record book.

Bush, Helmstetter NamedWendy’s Athletes of the Year

Senior soccer standouts Andy Bush ’13and Sam Helmstetter ’13 were named the2012-2013 Misericordia UniversityWendy’s Athletes of the Year.

Bush, the soccer team’s Most ValuablePlayer, was a first-team All-Freedomselection for the fourth straight seasonand was named the conference Player ofthe Year after leading the Cougars to aFreedom Conference championship.

In addition, he was an ECAC All-Star andearned second-team All-Region honors.He ended his career as MU’s all-time leaderin goals (48) and points (117).

After leading the women’s soccer teamto the school’s first Final Fourappearance, Helmstetter was named theFreedom Conference Player of the Yearfor the second consecutive season.

She was a first-team All-American,All-ECAC, All-Region and All-Freedomafter recording the second-highestsingle-season goals (18) and points (45)

totals in school history. Helmstetterfinished as MU’s all-time leader in assists(34) and is second in career points (122)and third in goals (44).

Roney and Karabin namedScholar-Athletes of the Year

Misericordia University placed 67spring sports student-athletes on theMAC Academic Honor Roll.

The MAC Honor Roll recognizesstudent-athletes who carry a minimumGPA of 3.20 while earning a varsity letter.

Among the honorees was Matt Karabin‘13, who was also feted as the MACBaseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Asenior pitcher, Karabin maintains a 3.97GPA as a math/secondary educationmajor and was also named Misericordia’sECAC/Robbins Male Scholar-Athlete ofthe Year. Laura Roney ‘13, a seniorwomen’s soccer player, was namedMisericordia’s ECAC/Robbins FemaleScholar-Athlete of the Year.

Roney carries a 3.90 GPA as a physicaltherapy major.

Wendy’s Athletes of the Year, at top, AndyBush ‘13 and Sam Helmstetter ‘13 flank SteveKepic; and Scholar-Athletes of the Year MattKarabin ‘13 and Laura Roney ‘13 receive theirawards from Dave Martin, athletic director.

Pete Doggett ’13, a senioraccounting major, was 5-0 on

the mound to help the Cougarsto their third consecutive

Freedom Conference title. He tossed a complete

game four-hitter againstRamapo in the NCAA

Tournament to earn a spot onthe All-Tournament Team.

Baseball wins third straight Freedom Conference Title

AT

HL

ET

ICS

35

INT

ER

NS

HIP

S

After only three weeks at her internship, Amelia Poplawski’14 knows the computational chemistry research she isconducting at University of California (UC) Irvine is thestart of a career path she hopes will lead to finding a

cure for breast cancer.The goals may sound lofty, but they come as no surprise to

anyone who knows Poplawski. The Misericordia Universitybiochemistry major is one of 16 students participating in an eliteNational Science Foundation internship at UC Irvine, one of thetop ranked institutions for chemistry research inthe country. The rising senior says theapplication for the Chem-SURF UndergraduateFellowship Program required her to outline herresearch background. The similarities betweenher MU experience and the available researchprojects at UC Irvine played an important role inher acceptance into the program.It also secured her the covetable assignment

of working one-on-one with the director of theChem-SURF program, Fillmore Freeman, Ph.D.,a professor of chemistry at UC Irvine, whoseresearch includes computational chemistry andmolecular rearrangements. The appointmentalso earned her a $4,000 stipend and free roomand board.“Being in this program and spending hours in

a lab in front of a computer has helped merealize that the work I am doing may lead to theanswers to much bigger questions,” she says. “Ilove what I am doing, absolutely!” At UC Irvine, she is using the Gaussian

computational chemistry program to buildvirtual molecules and compounds, and perform calculations onenergy, frequency and optimizing the structure. “Computationalchemistry allows you to investigate properties of a compoundthat could not be done in a wet laboratory because they are toounstable,” she explains. “The more theoretical information wecompile on a molecule, the more it helps us determine themechanism behind the molecule and what makes it work.”That is where her hope of finding a cure for cancer comes in.

Poplawski spent time during the past academic year working

with Jun Ling, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry at TheCommonwealth Medical College, Scranton, Pa. His researchteam is attempting to find the molecular mechanisms andfundamental interactions at work in different biologicalphenomenon, such as breast cancer. “We are studying the biochemistry of the protein enzyme Pac-2,

found in breast tissue, and the relativity of it to the occurrence ofbreast cancer,” she explains. “There has already been a largeamount of research done on the similar Pac-1 enzyme, but Pac-2 isproving to be more complicated. We are hoping to do enoughresearch to publish in the near future.” Poplawski credits Coughlin High School biology teacher Joan

Blaum for igniting her interest in biology duringher freshman year. An equal interest in chemistrysoon followed thanks to AP chemistry teacherMichael Cooney, also of Coughlin High School. Putting her two interests together was easy

once she met chemistry professor CharlesSaladino, Ph.D., and other members of theMisericordia science faculty during an open houseprogram. “The passion they had really stood outto me. Seeing their enthusiasm made me evenmore excited about biochemistry as a major,” sheadds. “I was right. The faculty are terrific and I amlucky to have Dr. Anna Fedor as a mentor.”“Amelia became interested in pursuing research

in computational chemistry after taking a physicalchemistry class that I taught last fall,” adds Dr.Fedor, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry.“She recently wrote and was awarded a studentresearch grant to study the amino acids’interactions that lead to plaque build up in thebrain leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Amelia willreturn in the fall and begin working on studyingthese interactions using molecular dynamics, a

type of computational analysis program.”Dr. Fedor says Poplawski’s dedication and drive are

exceptional and will serve her well as she begins the graduateschool application process. “It may take decades of research, but the idea of finding a

biochemical reaction related to diseases such as cancer orAlzheimer’s is something I hope to see in my lifetime,” Poplawskisays. “If it happens, I know that my time in the lab will have beenwell spent.”

FAST FACTS:AMELIA POPLAWSKI ‘14Plains Twp., Pa.B.S. BiochemistryClass of May 2014

PAST PRESIDENT: BetaBeta Beta NationalBiological Honor Society –MU Chapter.

ACTIVITIES: Tutor inphysics, calculus, generalchemistry and organicchemistry; and a biologylab assistant.FUTURE PLANS:Graduate School, teach andresearch.

36 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

Biochemistry major earns computational chemistry internship at UC Irvine

BY MAR IANNE TUCKER PUHALLA

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’Biochemistry major

Amelia Poplawski ’14hopes her research willlead to a cure for breastcancer.

SE

RV

ICE

S ocial media channels are 24-7 online communicationtools that are used to introduce people to each other,market businesses and products to particular

demographics, and bring like-minded individuals together forworthy causes.Gabrielle Giello ’13, a Government, Law and National Security

graduate at Misericordia University, has been an ardent user ofFacebook since she attended Holy Cross High School inDunmore, Pa. She used the emerging site to stay in touch withher family and friends by posting updates about her status andactivities. It was fun, she says, to be able to share her day and to

see what her connections were doing both near and far.That interconnectivity also opened up a new world of

opportunity for Giello and about 200 children at Camp HappyTimes, an annual one-week overnight event sponsored by theValerie Fund for children ages 5-21 who have or have had cancer.For several years, Giello and her mother, Dawn, have beenvolunteering at the camp. As a Chanel fragrance model, Mrs.Dawn Giello has been helping the inner-city girls with theirmakeovers for about eight years in preparation for dance night.The Valerie Fund has operated Camp Happy Times for more

than 25 years at Tyler Hill Camp, a 200-acre estate in WayneCounty, Pa. It promotes friendship, independence and a spirit ofcooperation for cancer patients and survivors, while providing arecreationally therapeutic environment that engages participantswhile building self-esteem, confidence and friendship, accordingto The Valerie Fund.

“My mom spoke so highly of her experience, I could just tellhow touched she was and it made me want to do it. It was herinfluence,’’ says Giello. “It’s really hard to see some of the girls.It’s heartbreaking. Some of them are so little and some don’thave any hair.’’Many of them also did not have proper attire for the dance in

2012 when Giello brought one of her own prom dresses todonate to the event. “The dresses they had for the dance werevery outdated,’’ she says. “I gave my own dress to a special littlegirl and it was so touching. She was crying. Right after thathappened, I told the camp director that I would bring back asmany dresses as possible.’’In January 2013, Giello launched the Facebook group, “Prom

Dresses for Cancer,’’ and “it just exploded,’’ she says. ByFebruary, Giello had received more than 150 prom dresses andaccessories that were donated by friends, family and completestrangers from as far away as New Jersey and Delaware whowere moved by the story of Camp Happy Times and the22-year-old’s worthwhile effort.The Misericordia campus community also became involved in

the clothing drive as the History Club organized a collection inthe lobby of the Banks Student Life Center and accepteddonations on Giello’s behalf. By the time Giello received herundergraduate degree in May, she had secured more than 250formal dresses and $1,000 in donations for the Aug. 12-18 camp.

37S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

BY PAUL KRZYWICK I

Princess MAKER

Student spearheads formal dress clothing drive for campers at Camp Happy Times

MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Debbie Keys‘15 has been an active volunteer withCampus Ministry during her first threeyears at Misericordia University, doingthings both on campus and off. She canoften be seen having lunch or walkingaround on campus with her “little sister,”a local girl she is mentoring through theregion’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program.Those early experiences, Keys says,prepared her to expand her volunteerefforts and take her work abroad.

“I do a lot of volunteer work oncampus,’’ says Keys, an occupationaltherapy major. “I always had a passion forhelping people. They (Campus Ministry)provide a lot of opportunities to do that,especially around the area. That lead meto do Jamaica.”

Misericordia University studentsenrolled in the service-learning course,“Theology and the Church,’’ traveled toCross Keys, Manchester, Jamaica withCampus Ministry for the eighth straightyear. Eleven students and twochaperones volunteered from Jan. 2-8during winter break. Students weren’tgoing to the tropical island to lay backand take in the sun, but rather to roll uptheir sleeves and provide hard work andto mentor young children. CampusMinistry spearheads service andservice-learning trips because studentscan learn about themselves as well as theculture they are immersed in, accordingto Christine Somers, D.Min., M.S.W.,director of Campus Ministry.

“Students have come back moreenergized to do service in the localcommunity,” says Dr. Somers, who hasbeen involved in the Jamaican programsince its inception. “It has alsostrengthened the bonds between the

students who went and experiencedJamaica.”

During the trip, Father Patrick Mwangihad students stay with him at St. JosephCatholic Church. The students returnedhis hospitality by painting the church anddoing routine maintenance. The choresassist the parish community, while alsobuilding a sense of community betweenMisericordia students and people fromthe island nation. Bryan Palmoili ‘14,Plains Twp., Pa., said that working on thechurch reminded him of the volunteerismthat he does back home.

Another goal of the trip was to help the

elderly. Missionaries of Charity isa nursing home for the elderly,which is housed in a formerwarehouse. The blue-and-whitepainted concrete building inBalaclava, Jamaica is now hometo aged residents, many ofwhom were left behind by adultchildren who relocated to moreprosperous countries.

As volunteers and residents ofMissionaries of Charity enter thebuilding, they are greeted withsimple, albeit, heart-warmingsentiments, such as “Mary Helpthe Christians” lettered abovethe doorways and “Peace to AllWho Enter Here.”

At the home, volunteers helpresidents with basic hygiene,including shaving and clipping

nails. Keys found the residents enjoyedthe companionship. “We basically justtalked to them,’’ says Keys, a Jim Thorpe,Pa., resident. “Just that social interactionis all they needed to make their day.”

Misericordia’s pilgrims of mercy alsohelped children by visiting and donatingtheir time at St. John Bosko, a home forboys. The child-care institution is ownedand operated by the Sisters of Mercy,who also founded Misericordia University.The volunteers play cards and sports withthe children. The center is home to 150boys between the ages of 3-16.

ARTTHE

of volunteerisminJAMAICA

MU goes to island nation for 8th straight year to helpimpoverished residents

Jeff Pasetti, kneeling, assistant directorof Campus Ministry, talks with residentsof Missionaries of Charity Home for theElderly and Dying in Jamaica.

Occupational therapy student Debbie Keys ’15 enjoys a playful moment with a Jamaican child outside of St. Joseph’s Church in Jamaica.

38 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

CA

MP

US

MIN

IST

RY

BY PETER FALVEY ‘ 14 - COMMUNICAT IONS STUDENT INTERN

Find out more about theDepartment of Communications’new cable station, MCN 87, bylogging on to misericordia.edu/MUTodayExtended.

MacDowell Hall is among the award-winning improvements.

39S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

SO

CIA

L M

ED

IA

@MisericordiaU graduates from the master’s of science in the OT program pose forpost-commencement picpic.twitter.com/Ruhrsowbu0

@abobo08 would be so proud of our capspic.twitter.com/spk5qjrs1q

@misericordiaU With Cougars playingat 12pm on grad day, we had an impromptugraduationpic.twitter.com/wS49zW1H6u

@robato Its all over.Finally worth it.4 long years all done.instagram.com/p/Zdr0eFglth

@abobo08: Hard work does pay off

pic.twitter.com/plygdSKQDG

@misericordiaU: Just the beginningof whatgracieclancywill accomplish<3

instagram.com/p/ZdonKIFk/

@gabgiello: My cap! pic MTinstagram.com

/p/ZdVwGtCvwA

@ahh_schmidt: I did it!!!! Determination& hard work pays off.

Instagram/p/Zd6NDkLM4L/

@domdel1osCongrats!!! Especially my fellow majorspic.twitter.com/m5usB22c2z

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber ofCommerce presented Misericordia Universitya 2013 Pride of Place Award. The awardhonors a business, industry or organizationthat has improved the area’s physicalenvironment. Misericordia received the 2013Community Enhancement Award inrecognition of a multi-million dollar campusimprovement program that involved theconstruction and refurbishment of manyresidential and athletic facilities.The award was presented to Misericordia

University on June 25 at the annual ChamberAwards Luncheon at Genetti’s in DowntownWilkes-Barre, Pa.

YOUR TWEETSFamily members, friends, classmatesand colleagues took to Twitter tocongratulate graduates and toacknowledge campus happenings:

@JVictory42 Started from the bottom nowwe here #MUGrads. Congrats to class of2013!

@bricktop01 @MisericordiaU So proudtoday! Our Ruthie is graduating! Look outworld! Congrats to you all. #MUGrads@MisericordiaU MT @jessapaloozaaa:

Congrats #MUgrads! @JohnMurray30@Dan_Nicolette @MattKlassner@PATchzOHoulihan proud of you all!@MisericordiaU

@iyesand Congrats to my sister Ruth forgraduating @MisericordiaU today!#mugrads #alwayswearsunscreen

@john_j_belcher: Leading the way for NLvets @MLB ‘s Tribute for Heroes #ASGhttp://t.co/Hf4sg3nhhd @MisericordiaU@MisericordiAlum

@DocVader3343 @MisericordiaU 4 greatyears #MUgrads

@FranTownsend Here is@andersoncooper’s biggest

fan @MisericordiaU A great groupof engaged motivated students!

@marianisamazing I’m gonna missthese girls! instagram.com/p/ZfzeOXo13G?

@misericordiaU: As is tradition atMisericordiaUcommencement,the procession isled by a group ofbagpipe playersinstagram.compic.twitter.com/OLAF76eTUz

HOMECOMING 2013Join us on Oct. 4-6 for a complete

slate of events as we celebrate the 25threunion of the Class of 1988, as well asthe reunion years of 1993, 1998, 2003,

2008 and 2013. Please log on toMisericordia.edu/homecoming or call (570) 674-6764 for more

information.

@therealshauno:pic.twitter.com/mcLljmrieK

@therealshauno:What a GREATkeynote speaker, Watergate reporterCarl Bernsteinpic.twitter.com/KOTjNRJxU

What MU is SayingFollow MU on Twitter@MisericordiaU andon Storify.com/MisericordiaU

Maria

Williamson

‘14

Campus receives 2013 Pride of Place Award

Misericordia’s servicegets national recognition

Misericordia University wasnamed by the Corporation forNational and Community Service(CNCS) to the 2013 President’sHigher Education CommunityService Honor Roll for being oneof the nation’s leading institutionsof higher education committed tobettering communities throughservice initiatives and service-learning academic programs.

During the 2011-12 academicyear, 2,593 Misericordia studentsengaged in 158,154 service hoursto the community – a more than49 percent increase from theprevious academic year. MU’sacademic service-learningprograms had 849 studentparticipants. Of those who didservice, 602 students wereengaged in at least 20 hours ofcommunity service per semester.

Sonography receives10-year accreditation

The Diagnostic MedicalSonography Certificate Programhad its continuing accreditationextended for a maximum of 10years to 2023 by the Commissionon Accreditation of Allied HealthEducation (CAAHEP).

The Joint Review Committee onEducation in Diagnostic MedicalSonography (JRC-DMS) andCAAHEP’s most recent peerreview recognized the program’s“substantial compliance with thenationally establishedaccreditation standards.’’

MBA specialization insport management added

The Department of Business hasadded sport management as afourth specialization to the Masterof Business Administrationprogram.

The Sport Managementprogram will offer two tracts forstudents to complete the degree.The traditional Bachelor ofScience degree in sportmanagement can be completed infour years. The combinedBachelor of Science/MBA degreeis a five-year program in whichstudents can earn theirundergraduate and graduatedegrees.

W. Scott Blanchard, Ph.D., professor ofEnglish, along with Jeroen De Keyser, Ph.D.,a research fellow at the Catholic University ofLeuven in Belgium, published an Englishtranslation and Latin edition of On Exile, byFrancesco Filelfo, as part of The I TattiRenaissance Library Series from HarvardUniversity Press.

Dawn Evans, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., assistantprofessor of occupational therapy, was therecipient of the Misericordia University ClubAdvisor of the Year Award.

Allan W. Austin, Ph.D., professor of historyand government, and Patrick Hamilton,Ph.D., associate professor of English,presented at the 3rd Annual Popular CultureAssociation of Canada Conference in NiagaraFalls, Ontario. Dr. Austin presented,Exploring a ‘Cave of Horrors’: Batman andthe Incarceration of Japanese Americansduring World War II, and Dr. Hamiltonoffered, Steps Back: The Persistence ofStereotypes in the Ethnic Superheroines ofthe 1970s.

Lorie Zelna, M.S., RT(R) (MR), associateprofessor of medical imaging, was presentedthe Judge Max and Tillie Rosenn Excellencein Teaching Award; Alicia Nordstrom, Ph.D.,associate professor of psychology, wasawarded the Pauly and Sidney FriedmanExcellence in Service Award, and AllanAustin, Ph.D., professor of history receivedthe Louis and Barbara Alesi Excellence inScholarship Award, at the 87th annualCommencement ceremony on May 18.

Donna Ayers Snelson, R.N., D.Ed.,associate professor of nursing and director ofthe Center for Nursing History at MisericordiaUniversity, was awarded The DAISY FacultyAward, and Tina Tomkins, R.N., M.S.N.,C.R.N.P., P.H.R.N., assistant professor ofnursing, was named a DAISY FoundationHonorary Faculty Member.

Stanley J. Dudrick, M.D., the Robert S.Anderson Endowed chair and medicaldirector of the physician assistant studiesprogram, was the keynote speaker andhonoree at the XIII Congress of Federation ofLatin American Associations for Parenteraland Enteral Nutrition in Panama City,Panama. He received a citation of recognition

from the Ministry of Health of Panama.

Cosima Wiese, Ph.D., associate professorof biology, contributed to the United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency report,Integrated Science Assessment for Ozoneand Related Photo Chemical Oxidants, thatwas published in the Federal Register,Vol. 78 #32.

M. Hunter Manasco, Ph.D., C.C.C.-S.L.P.,assistant professor of speech-languagepathology, had the textbook, Introduction toNeurogenic Communication Disorders,published by Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Kathleen Scaler Scott, Ph.D., C.C.C.-S.L.P.,assistant professor of speech-languagepathology, had the book, ManagingCluttering: A Comprehensive Guidebook ofActivities with David Ward, Ph.D., of theUniversity of Reading, England, published byPro-Ed, Inc., of Austin, Texas, in January.

The Accolade Film, Television, New Media& Videography Awards presented a 2013Award of Merit in Disability Issues to MelissaSgroi, Ed.D., assistant professor and chair ofthe Department of Communications, andDan Kimbrough, M.S., assistant professor ofcommunications, for the 15-minutedocumentary, Vote.

James Siberski, M.S., C.M.C., CRmT.,assistant professor and coordinator of theGerontology Education Center, waspresented with the Community OutreachVolunteer Award from the Alzheimer’sAssociation Greater Pennsylvania Chapter atthe Volunteer Recognition Event inPittsburgh, Pa.

Scott L. Massey, Ph.D., P.A.-C., foundingchairperson, program director and professorof the physician assistant studies program,had the research article, The RelationshipBetween Formative and SummativeExamination and PANCE Results: AMulti-Program Study, published in TheJournal of Physician Assistant Education.

Alicia Nordstrom, Ph.D., associateprofessor of psychology, presented herresearch from The Voices Project at theInternational Conference on the Teaching ofPsychology in Vancouver, British Columbia.

FACULTY NOTEBOOK

40 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

41S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

IN M

EM

OR

IAM

His students remember him as anexcellent theologian who taught with astern voice and a twinkle in his eye.Monsignor James T. Clarke, belovedteacher of religious studies andphilosophy and chaplain at Misericordiafrom 1944 to 1968, passed away onMarch 29, 2013 at Wilkes-Barre GeneralHospital. The spry 99-year-old mostrecently celebrated the 74th anniversaryof his ordination, which took place onDec. 8, 1938 in the chapel of the NorthAmerican College, Rome. He received hisLicentiate in Sacred Theology fromPontifical Gregorian University, also inRome, in 1939.

In an interview in 2009, the Monsignorrecalled fond memories of the days hespent on campus and he gave profoundthanks and commendation to the Sistersof Mercy who established Misericordiaand created what he called “a wonderfullearning environment.”

“The campus went from 200 studentsto nearly 1,200 while I was there and Icredit the nuns for fulfilling the mission ofproviding an affordable collegeeducation for the daughters of the minersin the area,” he said earnestly. “Thesisters worked for nothing enabling us tokeep the tuition very low.”

He celebrated two Masses each day,one for the sisters and the students of thereligious order, and a second for thestudent body. “He was an excellentteacher whose balanced approach tochurch life was an inspiration to us back inthe day,” says Mary Elizabeth O’Connor’60 of Bethlehem, Pa. “He had a view ofreligion that was far ahead of his time.”

Jane Carroll Rymer ’49 concurs. “Hewas an extraordinary person and a verygood teacher of religion. He also taughtus how to play bridge,” she adds with asmile. “It was an enjoyable pastime for uswhen we were finished with ourhomework.”

Monsignor Clarke decided to pursueparish work in 1968, and became pastorat Holy Savior Church in Wilkes-Barre,Pa., and later at St. Ignatius Church inKingston, Pa., before retiring in 1989. Heheld many diocesan appointments,including serving as a member of theboard of examiners and as assistanteditor of the Catholic Light newspaper.

He lived for more than 20 years at VillaSt. Joseph, a diocesan home for retiredpriests in Dunmore, Pa. Monsignor Clarkeis survived by a sister, Norah Tierney,Rochester, N.Y., and numerous niecesand nephews.

Monsignor James T. ClarkeOctober 17, 1913 – March 29, 2013

Freda T. Popky ‘28April 12, 1908 – April 16, 2013

When Freda T. Popky ‘28 was born onApril 12, 1908, less than 6 percent of theAmerican population had achieved ahigh school diploma, few folks had everridden in an automobile, the averagewage was 22 cents an hour andTheodore Rooseveltwas president.

Over the next 105years, Mrs. Popkywitnessed theelection of 18subsequentpresidents, twoworld wars and thecountry’s firstventure into space.

As Misericordia’smost celebratedand oldest livingalumna, theWilkes-Barre, Pa.,native was awitness to threeimportant periods in Misericordia’shistory. She participated in some of thefirst academic classes, saw the collegeevolve into a co-educational institutionas a resident in northeasternPennsylvania, and was present whenthe institution celebrated its firstofficial day as Misericordia Universityon Aug. 24, 2007.

Mrs. Popky, 105, passed away onApril 16 at St. Luke’s Villa inWilkes-Barre. A member of the firstfour-year class at Misericordia, shegraduated with a bachelor’s degree inthe classics and was awarded a Doctorof Humane Letters degree during theConvocation ceremony in 2007, whenthe college officially became auniversity.

“Everyone was so friendly, like a bigfamily. The students and faculty mademe feel welcome,’’ Mrs. Popky said in2007, recalling her academic years atMisericordia. “The last year I was there,they had many more students from outof the area.’’

A modest woman, she credited “theman upstairs” for her long life and saidthe best advice she ever received wasfrom her mother who told her toalways look her best because personaldignity was most important.

She was preceded in death by herhusband, Herman B. Popky, M.D. Sheis survived by her children, Drs.George Popky and Susan P. Harris, fivegrandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

Freda T. Popky ‘28receives herhonorary degree at 2007’sConvocationceremony.

Maryterese Ryan Streett ’52 August 25, 2012

Sister Mary Gerald Magill, RSM ’53September 5, 2012

Marie Blizzard ’93September 7, 2012

Marion Welza ’65September 11, 2012

Helen Goff Grinavich Hilsher ’40September 14, 2012

Christine Potoeski Swisher ’72 September 26, 2012

Joseph Purcell ’85September 27, 2012

Maureen Mitchell Kotulich ’94September 29, 2012

Marjorie O’Hora Tierney ’66September 30, 2012

Leona Rynkievicz Yakus ’57September 30, 2012

Martha Messick Bachman ’68October 4, 2012

Elaine Swoboda Lyons ’79October 6, 2012

Joan Reber Madden ’52October 8, 2012

Ellen Rocks Fulton ’61 October 25, 2012

Dorothy DeLuca Gelso ’55December 4, 2012

Sister Boniface Schuck, RSM ’61 December 6, 2012

Theresa Henry Blaum ’56 December 11, 2012

Karen Hronich Gular ’74December 12, 2012

Valia Piccotti Harkins ’59December 14, 2012

Mary Berkery Gorman ’52December 24, 2012

Geraldine Pace Bedwell ’48December 28, 2012

Mary Catherine Petroziello ’68December 28, 2012

Geraldine Pace Bedwell ’48 December 28, 2012

Marianna Powers Seyden ’34December 30, 2012

Michael Moeller ’84January 2, 2013

Tammy Clickner ’99June 19, 2008

Adele Lapinski Lazarowics ’51December 22, 2011

Betsy Rendle Kozarski ’64March 1, 2012

Lynda Paul Hamilton ’05April 6, 2012

Rosanne Bantell Milazzo ’67 May 29, 2012

Joanne Gaydos Xanten ’75October 17, 2012

Julia Young Chang ’52 October 24, 2012

Maureen Conway Fisk Peterson ’70November 7, 2012

Regina Romani Riley ’47December 3, 2012

Mary Jane Pugh Baker ’52December 10, 2012

Tozia Pressmann George ’63 December 15, 2012

Anna Reuwer Woodside ’33January 9, 2013

Mary Terrence Flanagan, RSM ’55 January 11, 2013

Beverly Richards Longo ’63January 13, 2013

Joseph Michael Falchek ’95January 20, 2013

Concetta Butera Bartoli ’66January 21, 2013

Bettie Kelly Strawser ’51 January 29, 2013

Dolores Dolgas Hearn ’63January 27, 2013

Miriam Farrell Pohlmeyer ’41January 30, 2013

Sister Materna Yarrish, CSB ’52February 9, 2013

Barbara Veroneau Evans ’52February 8, 2013

Mary McGroarty Bacom ’41February 14, 2013

Sister M. Magdalene Fanucci, DM ’48February 16, 2013

Theodora Zwirek Gorde ’37February 21, 2013

Maryalice Layne Rogers ’58February 27, 2013

Virginia Meyer Raklewicz ’77March 1, 2013

Jesse Costanzo ’63February 25, 2013

Mary Clare Loftus McCabe ’52March 10, 2013

Kathleen Drugan Vogt ’66March 16, 2013

Dr. Janet Amico ’71March 23, 2013

Dorothy Morris Temprine ’57March 26, 2013

Bruna Cruciani Evans ’75March 30, 2013

Andrew Kramer ’10March 31, 2013

Sister Anita Marie Miller, RSM ’61April 4, 2013

Marion Bentley Wilson ’92April 22, 2013

Theresa Makar ’99November 24, 2010

Jennie M. D’Arcangelo ’60 June 25, 2012

Sister M. Pauline Posedly, DM ’57April 4, 2013

Madelyn Semanko ’70April 6, 2013

Lillian McHale McGovern ’54April 7, 2013

Eileen Rogers McDowell ’46April 12, 2013

Elvira Murphy Bauer ’50April 13, 2013

David Revilak ’84April 13, 2013

Freda Thalenfeld Popky ’28April 12, 2013

Sister Nathanael Glovas, OSF ’45April 25, 2013

Margaret Kulkowski Kaye ’39April 25, 2013

Marcia Burke Steer ’62April 29, 2013

Anne Wittman ’56April 30, 2013

Mary Jo Connelly Plummer ’66March 17, 2012

Joyce Scornavacca McDevitt ’67 April 28, 2013

Sister Mary Clarice Pennell, RSM ’55May 2, 2013

Frances Connors Lawler ’42 May 5, 2013

Therese O’Hara ’64May 8, 2013

Sister Mary Luke Gibbons, RSM ’53 May 15, 2013

Margaret Brookus Suleski ’49May 21, 2013

Mary Battle Mackin ’88 May 25, 2013

Mary Pudifin Klemm ’85June 11, 2013

42 M I S E R I C O R D I A T O D A Y

43S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

CU

LTU

RA

L E

VE

NT

S

The Pauly Friedman Art Galleryat Misericordia University ishosting the exhibit, ClassicalMasters: The Grandeur ofRome, featuring more than 100

etchings, prints and engravings ofGiovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) andLuigi Rossini (1790-1857) that capture theelegance, architecture and antiquities ofancient Rome. The exhibition will beaccompanied with informative narrativesfor a complete experience.

The Classical Masters prints are on loanto the Friedman Art Gallery from a privatecollector. The show begins Jan. 25, 2014and runs through March, 2, 2014. Anopening reception will be held Saturday,Jan. 25 from 5-8 p.m. in the art gallery.

Two special classical architecturallectures will also be offered by architectRuss Roberts at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.on a date to be determined. The event willbe free and open to the public. Pleaserefer to www.misericordia.edu/art for themost up-to-date information.

Piranesi was born in Venice. Along with

Canaletto and Tiepolo, he is one of threegreat 18th century Italian artists known fortheir etchings of Roman antiquities. Afterstudying to be an architect, he became adraftsman at the age of 20 on the staff of aVenetian ambassador to the Vatican. It isthere that he learned the art of etching.He spent most of his life in Rome,pursuing his archeological research andcompleting more than 1,300 largeetchings – or about one plate every twoweeks for 39 years.

“Piranesi was a superb technician whocould magically reconstruct the mood ofantiquity,’’ said Brian Benedetti, director ofthe Pauly Friedman Art Gallery and curatorof the Classical Masters exhibition. “Hismaster of draftsmanship and perspective,his knowledge of Roman antiquities, thesense of drama suggested by thepicturesque figures which peopled hisromantic ruins, and above all, his epiccreative imagination, all combine to makehis etchings a most effective dramatizationof Rome’s past grandeur.’’

Until Piranesi, view makers had drawnbuildings straight on. Piranesi usedgeometric perspective. His brilliant artisticuse of light and shadow was achieved bysketching a building several times eachday over several days to get as manyvaried impressions of light as he could.

Rossini was born in Ravenna in 1790 andtraveled at age 16 to Bologna to study atthe art academy. It was there he becameapprenticed to Antonio Basoli, an early19th century Bolognese artist. He learnedto do different kinds of decorative bordersin chiaroscuro from Basoli and alsoattended evening sessions at the artacademy where his teachers includedLeandro Marconi and Gianantonio Antolini.Bolognese painter, Luigi Cini, one of themost important decorative artists of thisperiod, then trained Rossini in his school.Rossini later earned an apprenticeship andscholarship in Rome at the AccademiaItaliana at the Palazzo di Venezi.

“He soon realized that it was almostimpossible to find work as an architect,’’Benedetti said. “He also understood thatto be successful in the field, an architecthad to be, as he reflected in hisautobiography, ‘obsequious, to havestrong connections and considerableobligations.’ He therefore decided tofollow in the tradition of Piranesi andexecute drawings and engravings ofbuildings and archaeological remains ofancient Rome.’’

During his career, Rossini continuedPiranesi’s tradition and was one of the mostimportant practitioners of neo-classicaletching. He had an extraordinary ability tocapture the detail that made Romanarchitecture inspiring and enduring. Hisworks demonstrate his ability to recreatethe triumphal arches, bridges and templeswith conviction and vigor.

CLASSICALMASTERS

EXHIBITIONCOMING TO

FRIEDMAN ARTGALLERY

Luigi Rossini’s etchings, prints and engravings depict ancient Rome.

An etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

More than 100 pieces, including this one byPiranesi, will be on display.

301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy

Sept. 7Alumni Tailgate: Misericordia vs.Gettysburg football game Alumni tailgates for all six homefootball games. For dates, times and toregister, go to http://bit.ly/mutailgate,log on to CougarConnect or callAlumni Box Office.

Sept. 7-Oct. 31Capturing Realism: An exhibit of works from the Ani Art Academy Waichulis Pauly Friedman Art Gallery. OpeningReception - Saturday, Sept. 7, 5-8 p.m.

Oct. 4-6Homecoming WeekendActivities include celebrating the 25threunion for the Class of 1988 and thereunion years 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and2013. For details go to CougarConnect orcall the Alumni Box Office.

Oct. 4Annual Health Care Lecture SeriesThe Future of Health Care in the UnitedStates, a symposium featuring SusanDentzer, health analyst for PBS’

NewsHour and senior policy advisor tothe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 216-219 Insalaco Hall.To register for the free program, contactTheresa Hollock at (570) 674-6332 orat e-mail thollock@misericordia.edu.

Oct. 411th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Induction ceremony, Anderson Sportsand Health Center, 7 p.m.; reception,McGowan Room, Bevevino Library, 8p.m. For reservations, call the AlumniBox Office. Deadline is Sept. 27.

Oct. 23Soyka Fund for the Humanitiesand College of Arts and SciencesAuthor James Church, a formerWestern intelligence officer known forhis series of Inspector O spy novels setin North Korea, to present free lecture.218-219 Insalaco Hall. 7 p.m.For information: (570) 674-8184.

Oct. 31-Nov 2Misericordia Players: Spoon River Anthology 8 p.m. Lemmond Theater. $5 generaladmission; $3 students and seniorcitizens. MU Box Office.

Nov. 9–Dec. 13David Klevinsky: Abstract PaintingsPauly Friedman Art Gallery. OpeningReception - Saturday, Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 15 Inauguration of President

Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D.Weeklong series of events to includeInauguration Mass at 10:30 a.m. andInauguration Ceremony at 2 p.m. inLemmond Theater. For details, go to:www.misericordia.edu/13thpresident

Dec. 715th Annual Brunch with SantaHosted by the Alumni Association. 10a.m.-12:30 p.m. Banks Student LifeCenter. Reservations required. AlumniBox Office.

Dec. 14Winter Commencement2 p.m. Anderson Sports and Health Center.

Jan. 25-March 2, 2014Classical Masters: The Grandeur of RomeMore than 100 etchings, prints andengravings of Giovanni BattistaPiranesi and Luigi Rossini that capturethe elegance, architecture andantiquities of ancient Rome. Openingreception: Saturday, Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m.Two classical architectural lectures willalso be offered by Russ Roberts, TBD.Pauly Friedman Art Gallery.www.misericordia.edu/art

April 12, 2014 Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch withthe Easter BunnyAlumni Association hosts egg hunt at11 a.m.; brunch seatings at 10 a.m. and11:15 a.m. Banks Student Life Center.Reservations required. Alumni BoxOffice.

Contact Sister Noël by e-mail to receive moreinformation about the planned trips.Reservations must be made five months in advance.

Register early and save $250 per trip!

Dr. Marie Noël Keller, RSM, Th.D., is a veteran of more than 100 overseas trips.Center for Adult and Continuing Education(570) 674-6776, (570) 674-6924 orsrnoel@misericordia.edu

JOIN IN ON THE ADVENTURE

Dr. Noël Keller’s Tripswith a Difference2014March 28-April 5Springtime Tulip River Cruise – 9 days(featuring Dutch and Belgian waterways)

May 22-June 2Footsteps of St. Paul (partial cruise) – 12days

June 20-July 1France Magnifique – 12 days

Sept. 19-26 Tuscany and the Italian Riviera – 8 days

Oct. 10-19Sunny Portugal – 10 days

Nov. 28-Dec. 6Christmas on the Danube River Cruise – 9 days

THEARTS&MORE Alumni Box Office (570) 674-6768 | Misericordia University Box Office (570) 674-6719

Join the tailgating excitement atevery home football game.