SPRING 2007
MENTORING MATTERS | HISTORY MYSTERY | ARTIST AND ANGLER
president’s letter
SPRING 07
Building a College Town WILKES UNIVERSITY President Dr. Tim Gilmour Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations Marty Williams WILKES EDITORIAL STAFF Executive Editor Jack Chielli Associate Director, Marketing Communications Christine (Tondrick) Seitzinger ’98 “Wilkes” Editor Kim Bower-Spence Manager, Graphic Design Mark Golaszewski Manager, Athletics Administration John Seitzinger Contributing Writers Cindy Taren M’07 Kimberly Pupillo Photography Earl & Sedor Photographic C. Richard Gillespie Jason Jones Photography Howard Korn Warren Ruda Phil Sheffield Michael Touey Layout/Design Quest Fore N KEEPING WITH WILKES UNIVERSITY’S HISTORY OF HELPING Printing build the economic prosperity of our region, I began service as chair of the Payne Printery Inc. Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry in January.This is a EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP Anne Batory ’68 wonderful opportunity for our university to integrate more fully its strategic David DiMartino ’01 Brandie Meng M’08 and master plans into the economic revitalization of our region and help Bill Miller ’81 lead an organization that has done so much to facilitate that revitalization. George Pawlush ’69 Donna Sedor ’85 The outstanding results the region enjoyed last year are a tribute to many I ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF dedicated and talented people who work to bring our region economic growth: Executive Director Gov. Ed Rendell, the county commissioners, Mayor Tom Leighton,the chamber Sandra Sarno Carroll and colleges in the Wyoming Valley. One headline after another extolled the Associate Director Michelle Diskin ’95 economic progress of our downtown business district: Barnes & Noble Alumni and Advancement Services Manager Booksellers, the purchase of 10 E. South (University Towers) for student Nancy A. Weeks apartments, Movies 14, new restaurants and businesses, and creation of a Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Manager Lauren Pluskey downtown Business Improvement District.We have a great opportunity to ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS challenge the business community to accelerate this progress even more. President Many leaders, including me, believe the key to our region’s future is promoting Colleen Gries Gallagher ’81 First Vice President Wilkes-Barre as a college town, with the additional richness of a vibrant arts George Pawlush ’69 community and a strong business and retail presence. Second Vice President Success at making Wilkes-Barre a college town will be good for Wilkes Terrence Casey ’82 Historian University and good for all of Wilkes-Barre. If we have learned anything from the John Pullo ’82 past, it is that working together to find new solutions to old problems produces Secretary exciting results from which everyone can benefit. Beth Danner ’02
SPRING 2007 Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. The university provides its students with the experience and education necessary for career and intellectual development as well as for personal growth, engenders a sense of values and civic responsibility, and encourages its students to Movies 14, located on Northampton Street, welcome the opportunities and challenges of a diverse and continually changing world. The university enhances the tradition of strong student-faculty interactions in is just one of the recent downtown Dr. Tim Gilmour all its programs, attracts and retains outstanding people in every segment of the improvements in Wilkes’ neighborhood. university, and fosters a spirit of cooperation, community involvement, and individual respect within the entire university. PHOTO BY MARK GOLASZEWSKI Wilkes University President
contents
FEATURES 8 Mentoring Matters More than simple advising, mentoring permeates the Wilkes culture with one-on-one relationships that drive students to achieve more than they thought possible. 13 Window to a Tiny World Donation of two scanning electron microscopes helps establish Microscopy Center on campus. 14 History Mystery Unveiled Even historians didn’t know that blacks served in white Union regiments during the Civil War – until Juanita Patience Moss ’58 told them about her great-grandfather. 8 16 Artist and Angler Passions for painting and fly fishing converge in watercolors and oils that bring Luther Kelly Hall ’70 national recognition among sportsmen.
DEPARTMENTS 2 On Campus Welcome to “Wilkes,” the newly redesigned university magazine • Leadership Day brings together scholars from area colleges for Giuliani visit. 6 Athletics 13 Football and women’s tennis teams post championship seasons; Sheptock and Leicht are named coaches of the year. 14 18 Alumni News Get ready for the Last Hurrah Wrestling Reunion, and check out tour opportunities to Italy, Costa Rica and the French Riviera. 20 Class Notes What’s happening in the lives of fellow alumni?
See who has a new job, spouse or baby. ing 2007 Spr |
On the cover: Amanda Lewis ’06, left, credits mentor Tom Thomas, right, with helping her confirm that a communications career is the right fit for her.
PHOTO BY JASON JONES PHOTOGRAPHY WILKES 16 1 on campus
Giuliani Addresses ‘Leadership in Difficult Times’ “America’s Mayor” and potential presidential contender Rudolph Giuliani shared his vision of leadership during the Second Annual Outstanding Leaders Forum in November. Giuliani listed six principles outlined in his 2002 book titled “Leadership”: • Strong beliefs. “You have to know what you believe.” • Optimism. “Train yourself to be a problem solver.” • Bravery and courage. Manage and overcome fear. • Relentless preparation. “Take the fear and put it into relentless preparation.” • Teamwork. “Leaders have to understand it’s about the other people.” • Communication. “A leader, I think, ultimately comes down to teaching and motivating.” He concluded:“You can’t dictate to people.You’ve got to get them to participate.You’ve got to be there when things go wrong.” The lecture, coupled with a New York-style buffet, raised funds to support Outstanding Leaders scholarships in the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership.
Rudolph Giuliani. PHOTO BY MICHAEL TOUEY
THANKS TO THESE SUPPORTERS OF THE OUTSTANDING LEADERS FORUM:
UNDERWRITER LEADERSHIP Rosenn, Jenkins & GUARD Insurance Group Young Presidents’ Organization Ballard, Spahr, Andrews Greenwald LLP Intermetro Industries PARTNER & Ingersoll SunGard Higher Education Michael Gottdenker Entercom Pocono Northeast Benco Dental ASSOCIATE Morgan Stanley Commonwealth Telephone Diversified Information A. Pickett Construction Prudential Enterprises Technologies Amtire Corporation UBS Financial Services Maslow Foundation Hirtle, Callaghan & Company Bloomsburg Metal Inc./UBS Securities LLC Sodexho Lockheed Martin Corporation Brdaric Excavating Umphreds/McCole One Source HR Solutions Coca-Cola Enterprises Foundation Power Engineering Service Gavin Law LLC Wachovia Bank Corporation Gould Evans
New Look, New Name Welcome to the new “Wilkes” magazine, and thanks to all who responded to our fall readership survey.You spoke and we heard you. You’ve asked for more color, more features about alumni, and more emphasis on achievements of our alumni, students and faculty.We aim to deliver a timely and engaging glimpse into how Wilkes University impacts students, our community and our world. You’ll notice a name change too.The magazine is now called simply “Wilkes” to spotlight its position as the university’s premier publication. Let us know what you think about the changes. Send a note through The Colonel Connection (www.community.wilkes.edu) or to “Wilkes” magazine, Marketing/Communications ing 2007
Spr Department, 84 W.South St.,Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766. | WILKES
2 on campus
Einstein Another Smart Move for Campus Einstein Bros. Bagels, a national restaurant franchise, opened Jan. 2 in the recently renovated University Center on Main (UCOM). Einstein Bros. employs five full-time and three part-time workers at the 2,250-square-foot facility. It currently operates in more than 300 locations in 27 states, serving hot and cold sandwiches, salads, baked goods, desserts and to-go and gourmet coffee.The franchise adds another casual dining option for the campus and downtown business communities. “With 100 full-time Wilkes employees in UCOM and a capacity for 400 students living directly across the street at University Towers, Einstein Bros. will have a built-in customer base and become another success story for downtown Wilkes-Barre,” says Scott Byers, vice president for finance and general counsel for Wilkes.
Einstein Bros. Bagels will serve Wilkes and the downtown business community. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SEITZINGER
Discourse to Ropes Course: Leadership Day Brings Together Scholars from Neighboring Colleges Eight Outstanding Leaders scholarship recipients spent the day leading up to Rudolph Giuliani’s speech reflecting on his leadership and preparing themselves to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. College Misericordia, King’s College, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and University of Scranton each sent two students to participate in Leadership Day with the Wilkes scholars. Morning workshops explored leadership styles. Then they moved to the new ropes courses in the University Center on Main (UCOM) for exercises in confidence and team building. Sophomore entrepreneurship major Elizabeth Lewis of Falls, Pa., appreciated the teamwork exercises.“We needed to communicate ideas, encourage participation, trust each other and help each other perform the task at hand.At the end of the session, the group discussed how some people emerged as prominent leaders, and we talked about the differences in everyone’s contribution to the team.” Salman Punekar, a senior business administration major, admires Giuliani’s leadership in high-pressure situations.“Many people can easily lead when things are going well, but few can be calm, composed and effective when things are falling apart,” observes the Manhattan resident.“It takes an exceptional leader to maintain control when things are going bad.Applying this to a business model seems very fitting.” Organizer Matthew Sowcik ’00, director of leadership education in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, says,“I received so many wonderful e-mails and letters from the students and administrators at the other univer- sities that we are currently in the process of planning some future events.We will definitely do Leadership Day each year.” ing 2007 Spr |
Elizabeth Lewis tackles the ropes course. PHOTO BY KIM BOWER-SPENCE WILKES
3 on campus
Decisions Made Easy Wilkes University is taking some of the anxiety out of the college application process. High school seniors visiting campus now can find out immediately whether they’re accepted to the university. The process is easy. Prospective students who schedule an on-campus appointment with a counselor any time during their senior year of high school are asked to bring an official transcript, SAT scores and completed application.Admissions counselors review the file and give an admissions decision the very same day. The Instant Decisions program applies only to traditional students applying to full-time undergraduate programs. Pharmacy and some health science
The one-stop Student Service Center is open for programs may require a secondary application for acceptance into these business in the University Center on Main. popular programs. PHOTO BY MARK GOLASZEWSKI
Freshmen Dig Up the Past Wilkes University freshmen archaeologists uncovered human bone and ceramics fragments from the basement of a local church. The excavation project, conducted by about 20 students as part of an archaeology course, unearthed more than 100 artifacts buried beneath St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.Theresa Kintz, instructor of sociology and anthropology, led the students as they discovered artifacts ranging from historic ceramics dating back to the late 18th century to human hair and bone fragments. Kintz believes the human remains were displaced from burial sites during the 1972 flood, but further investigation is required into recorded burial locations in the vicinity. Students excavated in the church basement, which was consecrated in 1823, in an approximate 12-by-12-foot area where the concrete and brick floor had been removed to accommodate a heating system. Kintz has previously led students on excavations at Doane and Kirby halls on campus. Her course offers freshmen an opportunity to explore the human odyssey from the Stone Age to the Space Age through study of archaeology.The artifacts remain on display in Stark Learning Center.
Archaeology students found human hair and bone fragments buried beneath St. Stephen’s. PHOTOS BY MARK GOLASZEWSKI ing 2007 Spr | WILKES
4 on campus
Savitski Named McGowan Scholar Joshua R. Savitski, a senior in the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, was named the 2006 William G. McGowan Scholar and received an $18,000 scholarship.The McGowan Scholars program began at Wilkes in 1999. Savitski serves as secretary of the Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM), where he helps supervise fund-raising events and prepares the team for annual competitions. He also is a member of the Programming Board and Commuter Council. Administered by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, the Scholars Program honors William G. McGowan, the Ashley, Pa., native, humanitarian and telecommunications pioneer who founded MCI Communications.The program provides select colleges and universities with a program to identify outstanding business students. Left to right: Paul Browne, dean of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, Josh Savitski and Wilkes President Tim Gilmour. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SEITZINGER
Professor Lauded as Outstanding Teacher Not only Edward Schicatano, associate professor of psychology at Wilkes University, received the annual Carpenter should you Outstanding Teacher Award for the 2007-08 academic year. The Carpenter Award recognizes a faculty member who look AHEAD has been an outstanding educator during a three-year period. A committee of colleagues generates nominations.The TO THE recipient must meet professional qualifications, which FUTURE, include teaching effectiveness, interaction with students, research contributions and overall excellence. you must also “I’m especially honored because this award is given to me by my peers,” says Schicatano. In addition to receiving the learn to LIVE Carpenter Award, he also won the Wilkes Outstanding Faculty Award during the 2002-03 academic year. IN THE In a commencement speech on Sept. 10, 2006, he said, “Not only should you look ahead to the future, you must PRESENT also learn to live in the present moment.Appreciate what is moment. here today. Notice the beauty that exists outside you.And don’t be afraid to show the beauty that is inside you.” Edward Schicatano, Carpenter Outstanding Teacher for 2007. PHOTO BY CINDY TAREN – Edward Schicatano It’s a philosophy that Schicatano says reached him after
college, as he got older. He imparts this wisdom on his ing 2007 Spr
students on a daily basis by “showing respect in the | classroom and smiling.” WILKES
5 athletics athletics Lady Colonels Net Tennis Title The Wilkes University women’s tennis team left its mark on the 2006 season with poised domination.The Lady Colonels fashioned a 16-0 record en route to their first Freedom Conference title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Championship. Wilkes overpowered the opposition during the year, winning 79 of 89 singles matches and 41 of 48 doubles contests.Team members garnered a number of individual accolades along the way. Coach Chris Leicht was named Freedom Conference Coach of the Year after leading Wilkes to its best season in school history. Freshman Xiaoqiao Zhang was honored with the conference’s Player of the Year award after fashioning a 17-1 record while playing number one singles in her rookie season.A first-team All-Freedom Conference recipient, Zhang claimed the number one singles title at the Middle Atlantic Conference Individual Championships. She was joined on the All-Conference team by first-team selection and Freedom Conference team tournament MVP sophomore Alison McDonald, and second-team honoree sophomore Kristin Wilt. The Lady Colonels, ranked 17th in the Atlantic South Region, will continue their historic season in the spring as they make their first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in May.
Football Team Claims MAC Championship Freshman Xiaoqiao Zhang was A talented group of Colonels claimed its first Middle Atlantic Conference honored with the conference’s Player of the Year award. (MAC) football championship and first unbeaten regular season since 1993. PHOTO BY WARREN RUDA For the second straight year,Wilkes earned a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs, where players garnered a win for the first time in school history. Head coach Frank Sheptock led the football team to an 11-1 mark and a new school record for victories in a season. For his efforts, Sheptock was recognized as the MAC Coach of the Year and AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year. Junior Kyle Follweiler earned D3football.com All-East Region and ECAC Southeast Player of the Year honors. Follweiler and senior Anthony Serafin were named second-team All-Americans by D3football.com, while senior Mike Ferriero and junior Jordan Purdy earned honorable mention honors. Follweiler garnered MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors as well, while senior Jim Jordan was the MAC’s Offensive Player of the Year. Follweiler and Jordan were among 14 Colonels named to the All-MAC team. Senior Bryan Vivaldo was recognized as a first-team Academic All-American by “ESPN The Magazine,” while both Vivaldo and senior John Darrah copped ing 2007 ing 2007 first-team “ESPN The Magazine” District II Academic All-America honors. Spr Spr | |
Senior running back Tom Andreopoulos (#8) rushed for 1,285 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. WILKES WILKES PHOTO BY WARREN RUDA
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Mentoring A LITTLE PUSH, AGENTLE LITTLE GUIDANCEPUSH, GENTLE AND GUIDANCEUNIQUE OPPORTUNITIESAND PROPEL UNIQUE STUDENTSOPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE PROPEL ALVATORE AGOSTA ’98 WAS MORE THAN THEYSTUDENTS THOUGHT TO ACHIEVEPOSSIBLE MORE THAN convinced his interest in natural history THEY THOUGHT POSSIBLE couldn’t translate into a job.So as a student at Wilkes University, he needed direction to By Kim Bower-Spence Mat ters find an ordinary profession that held his interest. SEnter biology professor Mike Steele. “Mike steered me away from doing something ordinary by showing me the path to a career doing something that I would do for free,” explains this northern New Jersey native. Now in the last year of a five- year doctoral program in ecology at University of Pennsylvania, he studies how different plants impact the growth, development and survival of the caterpillars that eat them. And he does that in the tropical dry forests of northwestern Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Conservation Area. One-on-one relationships with professors are common at small universities. But Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, says Wilkes takes it further. “It’s the culture of the institution. And while there are numerous and separate initiatives aimed at developing different aspects of mentoring relationships, what we’re really doing is initiating and fostering that culture and taking it to a greater level. We’re working to assure that everyone who wants to be engaged in such a relationship at the university has an opportunity to do so.” The challenge is to not institutionalize the natural, organic nature of the process — to not create a mechanized system but rather nurture conditions that allow relationships to evolve naturally. Notes ing 2007 ing 2007 Spr Spr Adams: “Education is about people learning and | | Tom Thomas, right, administered personality and changing and developing, and that involves risk.” career tests to help Amanda Lewis, left, confirm a communications major was a good fit for her. WILKES WILKES PHOTO BY JASON JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
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10 WILKES | Spring 2007 hygtt hi eirpoet oe tee “Thisishow a NotesSteele: they gettotheirseniorproject. and provides much forcareer more development.” opportunity a much more dynamicandexcitingatmosphere forourstudents andwe really believedefines much ofourculture, ithasmadefor “Research says Steele. biologist nities forfull-timeresearch,” housing provided oncampus.“We toprovide try thoseopportu- withfree research positionsare available forundergraduates, Andatleastfive paidsummer help withresearch projects. Freshmen canvolunteerprograms intheirown to research space. theirown run inthebiology research department All faculty Research Boost Many studentswork ontwo orthree research projects before with alumnimentor BrianSummers. marketing ambitionsasaresult of e-mailcommunications Junior Beth Hornreworked herresume andfocused her in ore w er ae,a uir she asajunior, Twotions course. years later, College rdaesuetwudlansine”And studentwouldscience.” graduate learn okdhmu,andheremembered her. looked himup, hms executive director ofUniversity Thomas, b She arrived at She arrived Wilkes undecidedonamajor defining thatambitionw Even though Thomas wasn’t heradvisor, twt aso o ac.Shemet Tomut withapassionfordance. o mnaLws’6o oest N.J., For Amanda Lewis ’06ofSomerset, Finding aPath that translatesintoagoodnumber of hp iehlslf hsfg whichisthe Mike helpsliftthisfog, ship, students entering thebestdoctoral students entering fir nessing one’ programs inthecountry. studies withr a azn Agostacredits Mike Dan Janzen. Steele’s withhelpingget mentorship i hr.“Mike’shim there. research program is well-designed tofosterandnurture st steptodefiningone’s goalsandhar- , That includes the interests ofundergraduates.” when hetaughtafr etto,withplans todefendin sertation, Through his mentoring andfriend- Through hismentoring a 07 fewr,hehopes Afterward, May 2007. He iscur to contin and whatitmeanstodoresearch. tr fo g opical ecolo ggy ideaofwhatecology is raduates like mehave onlya gsaad:“ntal,under- “Initially, Agosta adds: s ambition. eno r PHOTO BY EARLANDSEDOR ently wr ue hisresearch in wned P gsa whonow Agosta, gy ” as thechallenge. eshman founda . iting hisdis enn scientist - - over 2006. inspring aneight-week period viaemail corresponded andHorn Summers with alumnimentors. program sophomores School ofBusinessandLeadership thatpairs inaSidhu himtoparticipate alumnus recruited Jason Griggs Constr whoserves aschiefoperatingofficerof N.J., Skillman, Summers, “ Hebecameeditorof launch hiscareer asapoliticalreporter. Gabe LeDonne’05plannedonacollegepaththatwould Beyond Zone theComfort they seeusasbeingobjective.” they’re more likely tolistenbecause point outtheirstrengths, “Ifwe have asmentors confidenceinsomeoneandwe asserts. take itfrom there.” andIwas able to Hejustgave methatlittleextrapush, good at. Society works asaRelay forLifecoordinator forthe Cancer American who acknowledges Lewis, many choicesinmy career path,” to gaugewhetheracommunications majorwas agoodfit. testandacareerhe tooktimetoadministerapersonality test a mentor fabric. of and hasreally becomepart Wilkes’ sustainsitself thevalue ofmentoring Asdecadespass, alumni. tyingtogether generationsof efforts Adams seesmentoring Generations Bridging kno “I’m gainingknowledge insomethingthatIpreviously hadno studies andEnglishdouble-major withnobusiness background. was industry foreign tothiscommunicationsfinancial services aboutinvesting Writing andthe based incentral Virginia. accepted apositionasfinancialr encouraged himto “get outofyour zone.” comfort and askquestions. even challengeideas.” someonewhocontinues topushandadvocate and and advisor, almost w never LeDonneandFrantzcontinue totouchbase learning ends.” “Relationships estab belie The Beacon” Building confidence is a big part ofthementor’sBuilding confidenceisabigpart role,Thomas Ididn’t“I was sooverwhelmed know there incollege. were so T Sa native Pa., thisLake Wallenpaupack, With herprodding, And thatdoesn’ ldeo tal andnow Ienjoy it.” wledge ofatall, ak ys Frantz: ei as pnnsadflecoig feuain”shesays. closingsofeducation,” ve openingsandfalse infalse ra umr 9 n ehAnHr 0.“Having ’90andBeth Summers ’08. e Brian Ann Horn uction FinancialManagement .“He showed.“He methelightthatthere was somethingIwas eekly , somebody toleanon, . “My jobistobeasoundingboar and amenteeofadvisor t stopwhenstudentdonscapandgo My jobasamentoriscoachandsuppor lished withstudentscontin eporter withSNLFinancial, eporter ss motn, explains is soimportant,” Association. Andr d. ea Frantz, I needtolisten F ello ue because wn.“I don’twn.“I w Wilkes who ter Mary Waldorf, left, teaches communication and team building while belaying for students like Michael Lewis, right, in UCOM’s Recreation and Athletic Center. PHOTO BY EARL & SEDOR
Horn, of Roseland, N.J., credits Summers with helping her Initially, undergraduates like me have focus her career interests. She hadn’t realized that within marketing, her chosen concentration, she could go into only a foggy idea of what ecology is promotion or research. She’s already updated her resume to reflect Summers’ suggestion that she highlight how her and what it means to do research. employers to date had benefited from her efforts. “I’m more focused now, so I’m more confident about what Through his MENTORING and I’m going to do in the future,” reports Horn, who’s never met FRIENDSHIP, Mike (Steele) helps Summers in person. Summers benefited from the discussions too, picking up ideas lift this fog, which is the first step to he’ll use in mentoring his own staff, and in establishing a mentoring program to groom his association members for DEFINING ONE’S GOALS and leadership.And Horn’s determination reminds him to “prepare a little more for things I don’t see.There’s more for me out there, HARNESSING ONE’S and I’d better be prepared.” ing 2007 AMBITION. Spr | – Salvatore Agosta ’98 WILKES
11 12 WILKES | Spring 2007 wonderful toseeitbeingfundedandsupported.” they presented theconcept. where conference atUniversitystudents toawriting ofIllinois, and CenterDirector ChadStanley totakeWriting thetwo help them. ser centerbasedonMySpace.com toexpandconsulting writing see thetwo asdistinct.” “Idon’t really Pa. inLaflin, who comesfrom ofteachers afamily English 101and120. coachingfellow fellow, studentswhoneededextrahelpin writing Heserved several asa semesters Centerasafreshman. Writing linguistics at Temple hebeganworking inthe University, Wilkes AnEnglishmajornow studying asamentortoothers. serving Center. Writing 2006issue)andthe programs (seefall like E-mentoring Upperclassmen oftenhelpandencourageclassmatesthrough down tostudents. right culture permeates The nurturing Student to funded are: mentoring atWilkes University. Amongprojects Gr him [email protected]. invitesSummers anyone withquestions tocontact [email protected]. (800) WILKES-U ext. cultur To how learn you canhelpnurture thementoring asSaly Ilv h etrn utr tWle.It’s “Ilove culture at thementoring Wilkes. Says Stanley: Zebrowski andPatrick Austin ’07are developing anonline reasons Zebrowski, itismentoring,” “If educationisdoneright, Matt Zebrowski and ’06benefitedbothfrom mentoring vices andallow bestable to totutors studentstodirect papers • • • • an clinical competition for pharmacy students. C as anOctober 2006 Chicago Writing Center Mini-grants to promote travel to conferences such s Students are paid to coach andassist fellow Writing mentors andwritingassociates programs. opportunity to pair withalumnimentors. mentors. Allsophomores studying business have Sidhu School of Business andLeadership for undergraduates. pr Scholarly research projects inbiology. The ts andmini-grants augment andencourage t onference atUniversity of Illinoisand anational e at contact Wilkes University, uden ogram fundspaid summerresearch positions A mentor t s withwritingas ing minig signments. rant allo wed Englishprofessor if the to ensuredon’t climbers very far fall whosecuresis theperson ropes abelayer withclimbing, unfamiliar For those the Wilkes rock wall.” and Successaco-belayer for National SocietyofLeadership ismy"Mary advisorforthe ashismentor. student development, coordinator of Mary Waldorf ’01, names Detachment 752oncampus, Reserve Officer Training Corps major andacadetwiththe Air Force a juniormechanicalengineering MichaelLewis, places. surprising sometimeshappensin Mentorship Climbing Higher we want todevelop withallourstudents.” w itisnotbecausewe have donemore thanwe role, mentoring out tobecome.” Idon’t thinkit’s relationship. or artificial somethingyou canset don’t truly believerelationship isrespect.“I thatitisacontrived inamentoring factor thatthemostimportant Thomas asserts Can’ people always.’” serves asaconstantreminder tomeofthemotto ‘Mission first, W life andpositi fr g are ourdoors always mentality opentothestudents.This Wilkes, “At formentoring. opportunity to leader adventureexperiential component Shesays itaddsan Main (UCOM). Center intheUniversity Centeron to theRecreation and Athletic arock wallbring andropes course and relationships.” andframes ourfuture encounters is amomentoftruth — whom ives us, the faculty and staff, the opportunity to learn asmuch tolearn theopportunity andstaff, thefaculty ives us, om studentslik ould for any other student.These are thekindsofrelationships ould forany otherstudent.These W Concludes He sa Adds Lewis:“Mary inspires mewithheroptimisticview on Adds Lewis:“Mary le nvriy h lasfnstm o tdns She shealways findstimeforstudents. ilkes University, aldorf headedthepr y slip. t BeContr s “Oftentimeswhensomeoneassigns ustothat ys: ship training—andan eattd.Althoughshehasavery busy jobat ve attitude. Adams: e Mik e asthe “Ev i er oject to v y encounter—nomatterwith ed y can learn from us.”y canlearn from there. able totake it PUSH, LITTLE EXTRA just ga ...He career path. CHOICES SO MANY know there were Ididn’t college. in overwhelmed I was so – Amanda Le ve methat and Iwas wis ’06 in my
T idwt a to Window students andf Stark Lear floorof whichwillbelocated onthefirst to headtheCenter, have associateprofessor teamedup ofchemistry, Donald Mencer, on someofthemostsophisticatedequipmentinregion. eng and pharmacy biology, and studentsfromto faculty chemistry, some ofthemostsophisticatedequipmentinregion. decided todonatetheirequipment to Razavi said. Wilkes,” them inthepast.“We are ecstaticthatthesetwo companieshave whohasdonework for of ongoingrelationships withRazavi, donated the equipmentbecause Mountain Pa., Top, Conductor, l aai soit rfso fmcaia niern,and associateprofessor ofmechanicalengineering, Ali Razavi, Schott OpticalCompan ineer ing pr ning Center.The equipment will be particularly useful ning Center.The equipment willbeparticularly World aculty anoppor o and faculty who can now experiment andlearn who cannowand faculty experiment will openupanew pathofresearch forstudents Thepowerful microscopes Microscopy Center. to Wilkes University’s newly established (SEM) w WO SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPES rm,Rzv xlis Themicroscopes give Razavi explains. grams, Tiny orth $600,000wereorth recently donated y , tunity toexper Dur y ea, P . andFairchild Semi a., iment andlear n on work forour students.” hands-on ofreal-world, development intheform experience Thesetypesofprojects provide valuable research and here. one atanotherlocation, have toinvest inanew SEMortravel touse outoftheregion Carbondale of withGentexCorporation have partnership, theirfirst de tostimulate economic witharea industries partnerships microorganisms.scientists betterunderstand Andresearch specimenshelps onbiological microprocessors. and development ofelectronic devices suchascomputer are usedinresearch objects upto200,000timestheirsize, whichcanmagnify Themicroscopes, of microscopic materials. microscopes canproduce high-resolution imagesofthesurface b oigaba feetosars nojc.Electron y moving abeamofelectrons across anobject. eomn,Mne as nfc,Razavi andMencer already Infact, Mencersays. velopment, “If Gentexneedstousethistypeofequipment, The microscopes willalsobeusedby theuniversity tobuild A scanningelectron images topographical microscope forms , FOR RESEARCH NEW OPPORTUNITIES MICROSCOPES OPENS By J DONA P a. ack Chielli TION OFELE ” Mencer said. PHO C will head thenewly established Microscopy L eft to right: AliRazavi andDonMencer enter for faculty andstudent research. TO BY MARKGOLASZEWSKI “No w the C TRON y cancome the y either
13 WILKES | Spring 2007
History Mystery RETIRED TEACHER UNCOVERS U N V E I L E D PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN HISTORY
OF BLACKS SERVING IN CIVIL “She’s done a good job of digging,”confirms Wilkes University WAR’S WHITE REGIMENTS history professor Harold Cox. “The evidence is there. She’s proven to my satisfaction that there were integrated units in By Kim Bower-Spence the northern army.” Moss learned that Patience enlisted in the 103rd Pennsylvania Regiment on Jan. 1, 1864, in Plymouth, N.C., serving as a cook. UANITA PATIENCE MOSS ’58 RECALLS LAYING In April 1864, this Union regiment was among 16 that fought flowers on the West Pittston, Pa. grave of her great- Confederate troops in the Battle of Plymouth. All Yankees were grandfather each Decoration Day when she was a girl. killed or captured, but Moss’ grandfather apparently escaped. As American Legion members led a parade for what “He had not deserted,” she confirms. we now call Memorial Day, her family made sure the After the war, he ventured north to Harrisburg, Pa., to collect Jyoungster knew escaped slave Crowder Patience had his last pay from the Union Army. Patience married and served with the Union Army in the Civil War. eventually made his way to West Pittston, where he raised eight The retired biology teacher didn’t think much about that part children in the predominately white community. of her family history until she noticed a Washington Post article Savoring the mystery, Moss refuses to reveal how he got away. in 1998. It invited descendants of black Civil War veterans to a The answer is in Moss’ first book, “Created to be Free.” She symposium coinciding with the unveiling of the African- wrote this fictional account of Patience’s life because she lacked American Civil War Monument. Moss, living just across the enough details to write a biography.“He didn’t discuss his former Potomac River from Washington, D.C., in Alexandria, Va., life in slavery at all.” searched a National Park Service database of United States That doesn’t mean the book lacks a historical basis. Cox helped fill Colored Troops (USCT) and was surprised to find no record of in Civil War facts, and Moss did extensive research. Moss has discov- her ancestor. Before she headed to the symposium, Moss ered 1,000 black Civil War soldiers in white regiments so far, and she combed the contents of an old box given to her by Patience’s plans to keep looking. After writing “Created to be Free,” she was daughter. Discharge papers revealed the regiment in which he encouraged to write the nonfiction “The Battle of Plymouth, N.C., served, and she was able to find his April 17–20, 1864: The Last Confederate Victory” and “Forgotten name listed as a Union soldier. Black Soldiers in White Regiments During the Civil War.” At the symposium, she stood before At the encouragement of a friend who appraises African art, politicians, archivists, historians and she authored “Anthracite Coal Art of Charles Edgar Patience” authors to ask why they weren’t also about her father’s work. Moss is a frequent speaker at historical Overcoming honoring black men who served in societies, universities and other organizations from Connecticut white regiments. “Because there to Florida. Besides recounting history, she offers workshops on — those are weren’t any,” she was told. “Becoming Your Own Family Storyteller.” “Oh, yes there were. I know of one: Moss has no interest in encouraging others to write “Mommy the STORIES my great-grandfather,”she recalls telling Dearest”- type books that air family skeletons.“Overcoming — those that NEED the assembly. She pulled his discharge are the stories that need to be told.And every family has them.” papers from her briefcase. “You could tell by the looks on their faces that this TO BE Juanita Patience Moss was entirely new information to them.” Alexandria, Va. TOLD. And The mystery launched a search that BA, Secondary Education 1958 would divert Moss from a quiet retire- every family ment in which she had planned to learn Career: High school biology teacher, New Jersey Spanish and quilting. Instead, the 74- Notable: Amateur historian revealed previously ing 2007 has them. Spr year-old has mined Civil War records to unknown fact that black men served with white | research Patience and other black sol- regiments in the Civil War diers in white regiments. WILKES
14
served inwhite Unionregiments Above: Moss haslearned of at Patience’s grave can befound least 1,000 blacksoldiers who father, coal sculptor Charles in West Pittston Cemetery. Insets: Photos show Moss’ Edgar Patience. Crowder PHOTOS BY HOWARD KORN AND KIMBOWER-SPENCE during theCivilWar.
15 WILKES | Spring 2007
16 WILKES | Spring 2007 artist and... artist artist and... artist angler angler Pupillo Kimberly By FL SCENES OF PAINTING NICHE HOOKS KELLY HALL L Pupillo Kimberly By S PAINTING NICHE HOOKS KELL L FLY FISHING UTHER UTHER CENE Y FISHING Y HALL S OF
B he decidedtofollo when her hadbeenpaintingtraditionallandscapes at inart degree Wilkes, abachelor’s whoearned Hall, abilities onthisuniquegenre. Icanjustreally relate toit.” in thestream fishing. Ihadsomany times great brother andnow my sonanddaughter. my my father, fishing withmy father’s —my family grandfather, Igrew upgoing doesalotoffishing. Myfamily ran through itall. Ariver “Itjustreminds meofmy own family. Conn. of Mystic, heowns theDVDcable,but too.“It’s anincredible story, Ithappenedtobeon andflyfishingtwicethatweek. about family actuallywatched the1992classic illustrator offlyfishingscenes, PHO Abo n Healsohasprovided illustrationsfor aswell asevents incitiessuchas Denver andSanFrancisco. Vt., Manchester, Fishing, done two-person shows withthe MuseumofFly American uniqueniche.” is agood, L – thefir Angler’ basedin Tokyo.“Yale magazine, and “Flyfisher” Classics Magazine” e umer ft He relates somuch sothathe decided tofocushisartistic n19,h tre xlsvl anigfyfsigsee.He’s exclusively hestarted paintingflyfishingscenes. In 1992, “Landscape is extremely competitive,” Hall notes.“Fly fishing “Landscape isextremely competitive,” Hallnotes.“Fly T : Hall’ v O B e: L Y PHILSHEFFIELD ous magazines, s J uther K s p st timethemagazineusedanimagefr our ain ecei tings have appeared inmagazines across theUnited States andinJapan. a”featured oneofHall’s paintingsonitsfront covernal” elly Hall’ v ed a book showing fly fishing scenes.At thatpoint, ed abookshowing flyfishingscenes.At about thejuncture ofhisvocation andpassion. whencalledinDecembertotalk Through It” was watching themovie “A River Runs Wilkes University alumnus LutherKelly Y COINCIDENCE–ORMA w hishear al a renowned watercolor painterand Hall, s p including itn FsigteGad, acrylic, 18”x24”. ainting “FishingtheGrande,” t andpaintwhathelo “ Gra y’ s Spor ting J om ali our YBE NOT – nal,”“Sporting ving ar v es som ”says Hall, ”says Hall ’70 tist. uch. boat inthe enjo fishing tour incelebrity Andheparticipates of commissionwork hedoes. completing apr practice sk find aplacethathasgoodanglesanddesign.”Then hecreates to “Itry he may from shootphotographs several vantage points. painting orillustrationv Thelengthof time ittakes tocompletea to paintevery day. but he stillfindstime teacherinMystic, art intooils.” effort serious I’ve putareally enjoyed themedium. decided toexper “I heexplains. and developing my skill,” andIwas interested intrying at Wilkes, didoil however, hehasusedmainlyoil.“I Within thepastyear, medium ofchoice. andothers. Pa.; Blakeslee, Morgan Gallery, Colo.; andBeaver Creek, Ga., Art,Atlanta, Spor Fla.; Islamorada, as RedboneGallery, His work such isfeatured ingalleries raise money forconservation efforts. Federation andauctionspaintingsoffto Finding time to fish can be a challenge, considering theamount considering Finding timetofishcanbeachallenge, Hall works full-timeasamiddleschool Halluseswatercolors ashis Primarily, He alsoworks withthe Atlantic Salmon ys salt-water flyfishingfrom centerconsole hisHydra-Sports tsman’s andPaderewski Gallery Fine etches andcompletesoneortwo smallerversions before naments toraisemone Atlantic Ocean, oject. depicting hisfavorite pastime, fly fishing W No Career: BA, 1970 Art Luther Kelly Hall, Mystic, Conn. with meandw ‘A River andhesatdown Runs Through It,’ “Hecameinandsaw thatIwas watching said. possesses. college applicationonauniqueskillhe 12. and Ashley, anessay fora Michaelhadtowrite Recently, 18, Michael, two children: and theLittleJuniata River. Creek Spruce particularly the Keystone State, native stilllikes tocastabout Pa., the Kingston, mn,andIfound iment, eb aladwf ua,adna yins,have adentalhygienist, Hall andwifeSusan, Sometimes, t able: site: ar ies. Painter, middleschoolteacher art “He’ Gained r www After fishingapar just 10min rtn taotfyfsig”Hall itaboutflyfishing,” s writing he willdoseveral practicestudies. e w .lutherhall. y tofightcysticfibr atched itto eno tsfo i oe And utes from hishome. wn withp com ticularly scenicspot, daughter. son and now my brother and my my father, my grandfather, father’s – family with my FISHING GOING I GREWUP gether ain osis. . ” tings Still, he
17 WILKES | Spring 2007 alumni news
Wrestlers to Gather May 26-27 for ‘Last Hurrah’ Legendary Wilkes University wrestling coach John Reese will host the Last Hurrah Wrestling Reunion on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, in the Marts Center. The reunion, which coincides with Coach Reese’s 80th birthday, will begin Saturday at 4 p.m. with a meet-and-greet and cocktail reception. Following the reception, dinner will be served in the Marts Center, with a storytelling session scheduled for later in the evening.The event concludes Sunday with a brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The reunion is free and is open to former wrestlers and fans of the program. For more information on the event, please contact current Wilkes head coach Jon Laudenslager at (570) 408-4035 or [email protected]. Celebrate Coach John Reese’s 80th birthday at the Last Hurrah Wrestling Reunion.
Alumni Association Meets Its Goals The work accomplished in committee reflects an After a full year of activity, the Wilkes University Alumni Association enormous commitment of time and energy on the has made real progress toward its three initial goals: part of committee chairs and members and is the Improve communications to alumni. direct result of Alumni Association President • Completed are a readership survey and redesign of “Wilkes” magazine Colleen Gallagher’s pledge to move the organization to include full color. forward in new and positive directions. For example, • The Colonel Connection, the Wilkes online community through the leadership of Chair John Wartella ’84, (http://community.wilkes.edu), has been launched and includes the Development Committee assured that the online transaction capability. Alumni Board achieved 100 percent participation in Develop programs and services that stimulate and re-engage alumni. the Annual Fund.The Affinity Committee, • The association introduced a networking component to alumni shepherded by John Serafin ’90, worked tirelessly to events and programs. develop several new benefits for alumni.These • Alumni programs/visits have been scheduled in areas with populations include long-term healthcare insurance, a student of alumni. See back cover for upcoming locations. loan consolidation program and AFLAC insurance. Enhance use of technology to improve alumni relations and the Beyond this work is the underlying “buzz” that alumni services’ support process. comes as the result of many alumni being engaged • “Neighborhoods” based on alumni affinity groups (for example, in activities of benefit to the organization, to residence halls, sports, clubs) have been developed. Wilkes and to alumni in general.The association • The online community includes self-service directory/e-mail/ hosted an open meeting at Homecoming 2006, message board capability. and plans are in place to do so again in October 2007. If you are interested in a leadership role or ing 2007 committee membership, please complete the tear Spr
| card in this issue of the magazine or e-mail [email protected]. WILKES
18 alumni news
Explore Exotic Locales with Fellow Alumni Northern Italy Departs June 21, 2007 Price per person: twin, $2,799; single, $3,049
Highlights The Colonel Connection • Stresa • Como • Lugano • Milan • Bergamo Relaunches — With Prizes! • Cremona • Cinque Terre • Parma • Busseto Since the launch of The Colonel Connection in Wilkes University alumni will travel to Italy for nine days. July 2006, almost 3,000 people from the Wilkes This trip includes round-trip air travel from Philadelphia, community have logged into the new online hotel transfers, air taxes and current fuel surcharges.The community to see what this website is all about. cost also includes seven breakfasts and four dinners. Fuel What is it all about, you ask? charges are subject to change until trip is paid in full.This The Colonel Connection is the new MySpace amount does not include insurance of $120 per person. and Facebook at Wilkes. It is the university’s very own Wilkes social networking space, strictly geared Tropical Costa Rica toward Wilkes alumni, students, parents, faculty/ Departs Nov. 7, 2007 staff, friends and family of the university.The Price per person: twin, $1,999; single, $2,499 Colonel Connection works just like MySpace and Highlights Facebook. It is a virtual neighborhood where you • San Jose • Poas Volcano • Thermal Spa Resort can find old friends, share your news, chat online, • Cano Negro Refuge • Monteverde Cloud post your resume, search job openings, share class Forest • Guanacaste notes, create a photo gallery and network with Join fellow Wilkes University alumni as they travel to Costa Rica for nine classmates and friends from all over the world. days.This trip includes round-trip air travel from Allentown, Pa., hotel The community is a great place to find a former transfers, air taxes and current fuel surcharges. Eight breakfasts, two lunches classmate or professor and reach out to them. and seven dinners are included. Fuel charges are subject to change until trip is Jonathan Henry ’03 says he found a friend he hadn’t paid in full. Cost does not include insurance of $120 per person. talked to since his junior year.“I was looking for a friend I hadn’t talked to in years and e-mailed her French Riviera through the community and found out she had Departs March 2, 2008 moved to Oklahoma. If it wasn’t for the community, Price per person: twin, $1,849; single, $2,249 I don’t think I would have ever found her.” If you haven’t already, sign up now.The more Highlights members who log in and update their information, • Nice • Flower Market • Chagall Museum the more useful the site will be to users.A prize • Grasse Perfumerie • St. Paul De Vence will be given to the 100th person who registers to • Ventimiglia • San Remo • St.Tropez this online community.There also will be a weekly • Cannes • Antibes • Picasso Museum scavenger hunt called “Catch the Colonel,” where • Villefranche • Rothschild Villa and Gardens the first person to find the “hidden colonel” on • Monaco Oceanographic Museum The Colonel Connection website will win a prize The price of this eight-day trip includes round-trip air travel from Newark, for that week. N.J., air taxes, hotel transfers and current fuel surcharges (subject to increase Anyone who has not yet signed in should have until paid in full). Six breakfasts and four dinners are included in the cost. It recently received a postcard with instructions on how does not include insurance of $120 per person. to do so.To check out The Colonel Connection, go to http://community.wilkes.edu. For more For more information on any of these trips, contact information on how to login into The Colonel Michelle Diskin, associate director of Wilkes University Alumni Connection, contact the alumni office at ing 2007 Relations, at (570) 408-4134 or [email protected]. Spr
(570) 408-4331 or e-mail [email protected]. | Stay tuned for more good news. WILKES
19 class notes
1955 1971 issued patents dealing with specializing in management of Robert Fay resides in Fort Raymond Smith resides in biotechnology. He resides with retirement assets, since 1999. Lauderdale, Fla. He is retired. Hazleton, Pa., with his wife, his wife, Dr. Deborah L. Fagnani resides in Peckville, Marlene (Atherholt) Smith Galson, and his three children Pa., with his wife, Linda 1958 ’71, and their daughter, in Wexford, Pa. Marie, and their children, Judith (Menegus) DeLuca Lindsay. Karly Marie, Linnzi Rae resides in Belvidere, N.J. Ray Dombroski resides in and Dustin. 1972 Malvern, Pa. 1962 Diane Kiwior resides in Judith (Greenstein) Davis is Bernard Fagnani is owner of Dedham, Mass. Rick Rees co-authored a human resource director at Bernard A. Fagnani & book titled “The Successful Bradley Arant Rose & White Company, CPAs. In addition, 1975 Leadership Development LLP,the oldest and largest law he is a full-time instructor at Michael V. DeVincentis is an Program: How to Build It and firm in Alabama. She resides in Penn State Worthington owner of Tony D Electric Inc. How to Keep It Going.”The Birmingham,Ala., with her Scranton since 1989. He is He resides in Pequannock, N.J. book was published in June husband, Patrick, and children, also an investment advisor 2006 by Pfeiffer, an imprint Abby and Jamie. representative with Genworth Beth Robin Kaye resides in of John Wiley Inc. Financial Securities Corp., Port Washington, N.Y. Leo C. Petroski is an IT audit 1970 senior manager for Accume Georgiana Cray Bart is an Partners. He resides in artist who has been featured at Morrisville, Pa., with his wife, The State Museum of Joan Ann (Usevicz) Petroski. William Rice ’48 Endows Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, They celebrated their 30th Pharmacy Scholarship Pa., and the 78th annual wedding anniversary in regional exhibition of the November 2006. William H. Rice ’48 gave more than $90,000 as a Hazleton Art League, where charitable gift annuity to fund the first endowed she was awarded the Theodore 1974 pharmacy scholarship. The scholarship will go to a R. Laputka Memorial Award. Philip E. Auron recently student enrolled in the Nesbitt College of Her work has been accepted accepted a position as Pharmacy & Nursing studying for a doctor of into exhibitions at the Broome professor and chairman of the pharmacy degree. Street Gallery in New York department of biological The recipient must City and the National sciences at Duquesne demonstrate financial Association of Women Artists University, Pittsburgh, Pa. He need and maintain 217th annual meeting at received his doctorate in GoggleWorks, Reading, Pa., biochemistry from the acceptable grades. among others. Her work was Pennsylvania State University Preference will be given also featured in three in 1980 and did postdoctoral to a person who publications in 2006. Bart training at the Massachusetts contributes to campus resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Institute of Technology. He diversity efforts. then accepted an appointment Rice, of Oberlin, Ohio, Don Turner is president of to the faculty of Harvard was a member of Jorad & Company. He owns Medical School, where he Wilkes' first wrestling and operates a number of remained as an associate William Rice, shown in a 1947 team in 1946. His northern California businesses, professor until 2002, when he wrestling photo. WILKES ARCHIVE mother always hoped including hotels, restaurants and accepted a position as one of her children would become a pharmacist.
ing 2007 a financial services company. professor of biochemistry and None ever did, which is why Rice designated the Spr Turner currently serves as chair molecular biology at the | gift for pharmacy. Rice retired from General of the California Lodging University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Industry Association. He resides Auron has published 90 Electric as an engineer in 1987.
WILKES in Napa, Calif. scientific papers and holds 11 20 class notes
Pashinski Wins House Seat; Greater Nanticoke Area School District while a Trades Music for Politics member of Eddie Day and the TNT. After that group broke up in 1982, Pashinski managed several other Retired music teacher Edwin “Eddie Day” Pashinski ’67 rock groups and helped local musicians organize their was sworn into the Pennsylvania House of own bands. Representatives in January, handily winning the 121st As a teacher, Pashinski became active as a union District seat vacated by Kevin Blaum. representative in his local teacher’s association. He began “It’s totally exhilarating, and it’s quite humbling,” as a school representative and advanced to chief Pashinski says. The democrat hopes to “balance the spokesperson, vice president and eventually local scales of fairness” toward working-class families. “Those president. Pashinski retired in June 2005. people who work every day and do the right thing every On a regional and state level, Pashinski represented day — they need to have a voice.” Luzerne County as president of the PSEA Coordinating Pashinski hopes his new position will let him work Council, chair of the Luzerne County Legislative toward healthcare reform benefiting all Americans. He Committee and regional assistant and chair of the state began researching the issue about four years ago due PACE Committee. to his involvement with the Pennsylvania State He and his wife, the former Millie Ritza, reside in Education Association (PSEA). “Every company, every Wilkes-Barre, Pa. They have four children and seven school district is struggling trying to find ways to pay grandchildren. for the health insurance plans for their employees.” Pashinski graduated from Wilkes University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and received a master’s equivalency from Penn State University. He began his music career as a member of the Back Mountain rock band Starfires, which he joined as a freshman. Upon graduation, he became a music teacher and choral director for
Pashinski, left, hopes to tackle healthcare reform as a state representative. PHOTO BY GUY CALI
Ann Timko-Hughes has 1976 Shavertown, Pa., with his wife, 1977 taught world and American David L. Davies and Gina Pam, and their children, history for four years at P. Davies ’77 reside in Chuck, Lauren, Ray Anthony Christine A. (Koterba) Methuen Public Schools. She Plano,Texas. and Brett. Lodge has served as a director also works as the coordinator for American Education of education for the Worcester Raymond Ostroski is senior Anthony M. Schwab was Services for 10 years,
Diocese of the Antiochian vice president, general counsel recently appointed principal of managing federal student ing 2007
Orthodox Christian Church. and corporate secretary at Meyers High School,Wilkes- loan programs for the state of Spr | She resides with her husband, Commonwealth Telephone Barre Area School District. He Delaware. She resides with Edward, and their children in Enterprises. He resides in resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. husband John in
Methuen, Mass. Wilmington, Del. WILKES 21 class notes
Mary P. (Patty Cullinan) 1980 Spinelli is assistant vice John Kazanecki resides in Rittenmeyer Takes Helm president of human resources Thornhurst, Pa. of Technology Giant EDS at Rochester Institute of Technology. She resides with Barbara Pirrella is a division Ron Rittenmeyer ’72 became president of Plano, her husband, Robert J. director for Bayada Nurses in Texas-based EDS in December. He retains his role as Spinelli ’76, and their children, Pittston, Pa. She resides in chief operating Elizabeth, Christopher and Pittston with husband Bob officer. The Kingston, Amanda, in Rochester, N.Y. and daughter Giavanna. Pa., native oversees all of EDS’ operations, 1978 1981 including about Dr. Cynthia Mailloux has Kathryne (Whitney) Lavoie 145,000 employees in been appointed associate is a foster care supervisor with 63 countries. professor and chair of the Chenango County “2006 for us will Department of Nursing at Department of Social be a very good year, College Misericordia. She Services. She resides in completed her doctorate in Norwich, N.Y.,with husband and we want to nursing with a concentration in William and their three continue that growth education at Penn State children, Scott, Matthew and in a positive way,” University in 2003. She Whitney. Rittenmeyer noted, contributes to her community’s speaking before educational goals by serving as Judith (Barnick) Steve is release of full-year a Crestwood School Board partner/chair of Ideaworks earnings reports. director and is a member of Marketing & Design in “Our goal is to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Plymouth, Pa. She resides in continue that growth and get a better return for our Medical Center’s advisory Dallas, Pa. shareholders.” board. Dr. Mailloux resides in Before joining EDS in July 2005, Rittenmeyer Mountain Top, Pa. with her 1982 served as managing director of The Cypress Group, husband, Peter, and two a private equity firm. He was responsible for all children, Bradley and Clifford. Michael A. Gould is a district assistant superintendent for operating aspects of the company's $3.5 billion Tina (Falcone) Stehl has been the Department of Defense investment portfolio. Previously, Rittenmeyer a vice president of software Education at Quantico served as chairman, chief executive officer and development for Agilysys Inc. Marine Corps Base and president of Safety-Kleen Inc., a $1.5 billion for five years. She received an Dahlgren Naval Base in hazardous and industrial waste management MBA degree in May 2006 Virginia and the United States company. At Safety-Kleen, he successfully led the from Emory University’s Military Academy at West company's reorganization from Chapter 11 Goizueta School of Business. Point, N.Y.He resides in bankruptcy protection. She resides in Alpharetta, Ga., Fredericksburg,Va., with wife At Wilkes, he earned a degree in commerce and with husband Jim Stehl ’77 Lori J. (Cavalla) Gould ’81 finance. “Wilkes provided me with an opportunity and daughter Lauren. and their children, Jessica and to learn that I still respect and appreciate,” he Megan. 1979 says, noting that he worked three jobs while a 1983 student. He also holds a master of business Karen Lucchesi Bostrom is a marketing specialist at Stephanie Grenfell has been administration degree from Rockhurst University Krugliak,Wilkins, Griffiths & a nurse manager at Children’s in Kansas City, Mo.
ing 2007 Dougherty Co. in Canton, Hospital of Philadelphia for He and his wife, Hedy Wrightson Rittenmeyer ’72, Spr Ohio. She resides with husband 23 years. She is recipient of | are the parents of a son, 29, and a daughter, 22. Brian and son Anthony in The Children’s Hospital of North Canton, Ohio Philadelphia’s Nursing WILKES
22 class notes
Excellence in Leadership for the past year. She resides in supplies uniforms throughout Del., with wife Debbie and Award for 2006. Grenfell Norwich, N.Y. the United States to mid-to two sons, Joshua and Aaron. resides in Philadelphia. large-size companies. In 1984 addition, he serves on the Albert Solomito is a full-time Stuart Kall resides in Jamaica Jerome P. Nachlis was board of directors of the emergency physician working Estates, N.Y. promoted to president and Bernard and Ruth Siegel for Emergency Physician CEO of ImageFirst Jewish Community Center, Medical Associates in Alice Merlino has worked as Professional Apparel, a direct- located in Wilmington, Del., Indianapolis since 2000. He an associate broker for sale uniform company located and has been named treasurer. resides in Indianapolis, Ind., DeMulder Realty USA.com in New Castle, Del., that He resides in Wilmington, with his wife, Michelle, and their children after completing 12 years in the U.S.Air Force. Jeffrey Yablon ’80 Publishes First Novel Michael Williams is a By day, neurosurgeon Jeffrey Yablon ’80 delves deftly into the life-and-death cases of principal at Hancock High patients in need of his highly specialized care. But he spent late nights during much of School. He resides in Liberty, the last decade dissecting and weaving characters for his first novel, “Eight Cases.” N.Y.,with his wife, Christine, Drawing on Yablon’s own experiences, the book is told from the perspective of a and their children, Brittany mechanic and fledgling writer who befriends a neurosurgeon. In his visit to the and Gillian. mechanic’s shop, the fictional Dr. Robert Green offers compelling insight into his 1985 professional and personal life as he shares with his friend. Yablon wanted to leave a legacy for his 16-year-old son, Jeremy, so the teen would Maureen (McDermott) Cannon has been an understand his father’s work. “I had a lot of information and stories that I wanted to elementary band director for tell from my training and practice.” the Caesar Rodney School The New York native had written journal articles through the years, but this was his District in Camden, Del., for first attempt at fiction, with characters to develop and grow through the story. “It was 12 years. She is also the almost cathartic. I had the story in me, and I wanted to get it out. And I wanted it to principal flutist of the Dover have a surprise ending.” Symphony Orchestra in He co-wrote the book with the late Jerry Leech, a handyman friend with whom Dover, Del., where she resides Yablon shared a love of literature. Leech, who passed away two years ago, told the with husband John. physician, “I have a lot of free time. I can help you.” The actual writing took eight years of late-night powwows. Editing and publishing added David Foster is a lieutenant another two years to the project. “Eight Cases” is available for purchase on Amazon.com. colonel for the U.S.Air Force. The biggest reward came at a local book signing. He resides with his wife, “A whole group of my patients showed up and had me Chris, and their sons, Kyle and Evan, at McGuire AFB, N.J. sign the book.” Yablon’s private practice in Pottstown, Pa., serves patients in Chester and Montgomery 1986 counties. Named Wilkes’ Outstanding Young Alumnus Carl Sosnowski is a detective in 1995, he also is affiliated with Temple University with the Broward County and Graduate Hospital and serves as a medical legal Sheriff’s Department, where expert. He is married to Monique and has two he has worked for 21 years. stepdaughters. He resides in West Palm Yablon hopes to follow “Eight Cases” with a Beach, Fla., with his wife, sequel, and he has other ideas for stories that Cindy, and their children,
don’t deal with medicine. “I hope in retirement Carly, Casey and Caley. ing 2007
to continue writing extensively.” Spr | Michele J. Wagner, SPHR, has been a college relations WILKES
23 class notes
manager for six years in president's house and to many Joann (Scubelek) Prushinski Gregg Steuben is a computer Englewood, Colo. She resides other diplomatic Washington has been a division sales scientist for GE Global with her husband, Jeff Wagner, events. He holds a master’s of manager with the Avastin Research. He resides with and their children, Lizzy and jazz studies from the brand for Genentech his wife, Nicole, in Clifton Spenser, in Centennial, Colo. University of Maryland. BioOncology for three years. Park, N.Y. Fidyk has also taught music She resides in Palmyra, Pa., 1987 at several universities, with her husband, Scott ’93. 1994 including Wilkes. Kevin M. Barno is owner Thomas Gasper is chief 1993 and therapist of Pinnacle investment officer at Daniel Fisher is a teacher at Andrew Banks married Rehabilitation Associates in Columbia Ridge Capital the Carbon-Lehigh Yvette Stackhouse on Kingston, Pa. He resides with Management. He resides with Intermediate Unit. He Feb. 2, 2002. his wife, Bridget, and their his wife, Hollie, and their resides in Drums, Pa., with children, Drew and Erin, in children, Zachary,Alex,Valerie his wife, Dawn. Cristina Bruno is a guidance Mountain Top, Pa. and Lacey, in Raleigh, N.C. counselor for Patchogue Keith Silligman has been Medford Schools. She resides Tom Brisbane is a sales 1988 director of ambulatory care in Great River, N.Y.,with engineer for Brisbane Deborah J. (Marquart) services for Children’s husband Bill and children Industrial, a power transmission Liddick has been a lieutenant Hospital in Omaha, Neb., for Lindsay, Douglas and William. and motion control equipment colonel with the U.S.Air five years. He resides with his manufacturer in Jim Thorpe, Force in Washington, D.C., for wife, Nancy, and their Lori Guarino is an account Pa. He resides in Middletown, 17 years. She resides with her children,Ashley and executive for Pfizer Inc. in the Del., with his wife,Yesim,and husband,Terry S. Liddick, in Christopher, in Omaha. animal health veterinary their children,Alex and Ryan. Bowie, Md. industry. She resides in 1991 Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Nancy (Stanislow) Crake 1989 Jason Griggs and his wife resides in Newark, Del. Jeff Churba and his wife welcomed twin daughters celebrated the birth of twin in September. daughters in September. Wilkes Visits California Dina (Gavenas) Nathan is a 1990 registered nurse and has Elizabeth (Walsh) Barbieri worked for eight years as an has been a senior medical operating room nurse at St. information specialist for Barnabas Medical Center. She Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals resides in West Orange, N.J., for five years. She resides in with husband Mark and son Bridgewater, N.J., with husband Nicholas. Jeffrey and daughter Caitlin. Scott Redfield resides in Steve Fidyk is an St. Charles, Mo. accomplished percussionist and educator. He has made more 1992 than 30 recordings, three of which were Grammy- Susan (Merchant) Denner Bill Harries ’88 hosted Wilkes alumni director nominated. Fidyk is a has been a label specialist at Sandra Carroll during a recent visit to the San drummer with the United Shire Pharmaceuticals for one Francisco, Calif., area. Harries owns and operates a
ing 2007 States Army Jazz Ensemble, a year. She resides in
Spr gig that has taken him into the Royersford, Pa., with husband mortgage franchise helping underserved | White House, the vice Edward and daughter Faith. multicultural populations. WILKES
24 class notes
Suzanne (Stanski) Scheible J. Corey (Chick) Jackoby 1996 1997 and her husband, Robert resides in Springboro, Ohio, Timothy Ahrens is a project Scheible, announce the birth with her husband, Henry, and manager for AMEC E&E. He Paul Chimock has been a of their second daughter, Zoe their children, Joshua,Andrew resides in Schenectady, N.Y., mortgage specialist for NEPA Emma, born May 17, 2006. and Lucas. with his wife,Vanessa. home loans for the past year. Suzanne resides with her He resides in Duryea, Pa., family, including daughter Bill LePore is an account Karen B. (Bednarczyk) with his wife, Meredith. Hannah, age 4, in Andover, N.J. executive for Otterstedt Cowan and husband Scott Insurance Agency in Summit, announced the birth of their Matthew Connor is a senior 1995 N.J. Bill and his wife, Sandy, first daughter, Grace Evelyn, chemist for the Pall Research Cherie Casari has been vice became parents of twins, Justin on Dec. 7, 2005.The family and Development Corporation. president of Microbac Tyler and Olivia Paige, on resides in Winter Garden, Fla. He resides in Van Etten, N.Y., Laboratories Inc. in Camp April 1, 2006. with his wife, Laura (Rhodes) Hill, Pa., for 10 years. She Jodi DePue resides in Connor ’97, and their children, resides in Weatherly, Pa. Andrew Mazzeo is an Binghamton, N.Y. Shannon and Michael. operations manager at Tetra Guy DuBoice is a senior Tech EM Inc.Andrew, his wife, Chad Edwards is a senior Mark B. Evans has been a corporate planning engineer at Hope, and their daughters, clinical dietician at Temple mortgage specialist for NEPA Century Telecommunications. Clare and Jane, recently University Hospital. He home loans for the past year. He resides in West Monroe, La., relocated to the Philadelphia completed his master’s at He resides in Scranton, Pa. with his wife, Jully, and their area after spending 10 years in Marywood University in 2001. children, Joseph and Daniel. Kansas City. Edwards resides in Philadelphia Asif Ilyas recently completed with his wife, Michelle. a residency in orthopedic Arada (Kunyosying) Halder Daniel Reilly is an attorney surgery at Temple University resides in Pearland,Texas,with at Drinker, Biddle & Reath Marci McDade is a 10-year Hospital in Philadelphia. He her husband, Kallol, and their LLP in Philadelphia, Pa. He guidance counselor in was awarded a fellowship in children, Priya and Arun. resides with his wife, Jennifer, Scranton School District. She surgery at Massachusetts in Conshohocken, Pa. resides in Scranton, Pa., with General Hospital of Harvard Julie (Good) Heffner resides husband Kenneth P.Barnansky Medical School. He and his in Lititz, Pa., with her husband, Timothy Williams is a fifth- and daughter Katherine Anna, wife recently welcomed their Chad, and their children, Owen grade teacher in the Clark who was born April 20, 2006. second child,Amber.Their and Natalie. Natalie Donna County School District in Las oldest child, Dean, is 3.They Heffner was born July 19, 2006. Vegas.He also teaches multi-age Ali Qureshi was recently reside in Boston. dance classes at Gilbert Magnet promoted to director of Jean (Gaudioso) Hemmer School for Creative Arts and advanced business solutions for Amy (Michel) Lounsbury and Chris Hemmer ’97 Communication.Timothy trains the Office of the Chief and her husband, Scott, announce the birth of their teachers in literacy/ writing as a Administrative Officer at the welcomed their first son, second son,Andrew Martin, teaching consultant for the U.S. House of Representatives. Zachary William, on Oct. 19, on Jan. 9, 2006. Jean is a stay- Southern Nevada Writing He completed his Executive 2006.The family resides in at-home mom, and Chris Project. He was named to the Master's degree from the Nanuet, N.Y. works as a fund-raiser.Andrew 2005-06 edition of Who’s Who University of Pennsylvania joins older brother Thomas, Among American Teachers. (Wharton School and Penn Tonya Masenheimer is an who is 3. Jean and her family Engineering) and now plans to owner of Pinnacle Wireless in reside in Airmont, N.Y. Tanya (Daigle) Zegers and focus on his Ph.D. and spend Hanover, Pa. She resides in her husband, Ernie, welcomed time with his two boys, McSherrystown, Pa. Jerome Hunsinger works in their first child, Emma Daniyal and Ryaan, and his
strategic sourcing for Wawa Margret, on Aug. 14, 2006. wife, Sarah.Ali serves on the Michael Noone is an assistant ing 2007
Corp. He resides in Mount They reside in Roscoe, N.Y. alumni board at Wilkes. district attorney in the Chester Spr | Laurel, N.J., with his wife, County District Attorney’s Tine, and their son, Jerome Jr. Office. He resides in West
Chester, Pa. WILKES 25 class notes
Christine Pavalkis has been a teacher at Forest City Amanda Muscavage works as Jennifer Lynn (Gadomski) graphic designer for Wizdom Regional High School for five a civil/environmental engineer Vallach is an adjunct faculty Media for three years. She years. She resides with husband at the Tobyhanna Army Depot at Wilkes University in the resides in Weehawken, N.J. Tom and sons Thomas and in Tobyhanna, Pa. She resides nursing department. She is Michael in Forest City, Pa. with husband Mohamed in also employed with Geisinger William Zigmund is a project Plymouth, Pa. Health System as a peri- manager at PRA International, Susan (Smith) Shetti resides operative nurse.Vallach resides a pharmaceutical research in Nashua, N.H. Jeffrey Nason recently in Plains, Pa. with husband facility in Charlottesville,Va. became president of Scott and son Ryan. He resides in Crozet,Va., with Danielle (Lillis) Spadafora Crossroads Group LLC. He is wife Heather and daughter resides in Sellersville, Pa., with a primary design engineer for Carol (Hudak) Vallinino Catherine Wynn. husband Elio and children the firm. He and Jeremy resides in Cornwall on Dylan, Nico and Matthew. Hoagland ’01, Harleysville, Hudson, N.Y.,with husband 1998 Pa., started this business to Brian.They were married in Amy Lynn (Reilly) Craig is Andrew Yenser has been a “address the ever-growing July 2006. a registered nurse of 13 years sales engineer for KME Fire need for responsible for the Wyoming Valley Apparatus for six years. He engineering.” Crossroads is 2001 Healthcare System. She resides resides in Lehighton, Pa., with based in Quakertown, Pa. Danielle (Flock) Michaels is in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with wife Sarah and children Nason resides in Pottstown, a mortgage broker with Wells son Mathew. Bradley and Quinn. Pa., with wife Mary. Fargo Home Mortgage. She resides in Philadelphia with Kerri (Gosling) Fasulo is an 2000 Wendy-Ann (Skiro) Oresick husband Etzion. acquisitions marketing Dustin Daniels has been a is a first-grade teacher at Rice manager for Empire Blue quality assurance manager at Elementary in the Crestwood Megan (Stevens) Greenman Cross and Blue Shield based in Power Packaging in Reading, School District. She and has been a clinical nurse New York City. She resides in Pa., for more than two years. husband Michael welcomed specialist at SUNY Upstate LaGrange, N.Y., with husband He resides with his wife, Amy their second child, Olivia University Hospital in Justin ’96. (Wenz) Daniels, and their son, Elisabeth, on June 28, 2006. Syracuse, N.Y.,for two years. Brody Daniels, in Blandon, She joins big brother Tyler She resides with husband Brian Miller has been a leasing Pa. Michael.The family resides in Jason and daughter Kathleen director for Dranoff Properties Drums, Pa. in Cortland, N.Y. Inc. for three years. He resides Michael Krasulski is a public in Newark, Del., with his services librarian at Abby (Sherburne) Stroud is Skyler Rohwedder resides in children, Brian and Briya. Philadelphia University. a claims representative for the Millburn, N.J. Krasulski recently co-authored Social Security Administration Jacqlyn Ryan resides in an article titled “Keeping Up and coaches the dance team Raymond Wascavage resides Pottsville,Pa. with Google: Resources and at Towanda High School. She in Old Forge, Pa. Strategies for Staying Ahead of resides in Towanda, Pa., 1999 the Pack,” which was with husband Jake and 2002 Jennifer (McDonnell) published in “Internet daughter Jocelyn. Mleczynski is a certification Reference Services Quarterly.” Aaron Kuzmick is a pharma- specialist at Tri County He resides in Philadelphia. Will Taylor resides in ceutical technician for Sanofi- Housing Council, a non-profit Ridgefield Park, N.J. Aventis. He resides in Forty organization in Big Flats, N.Y. Lisa Marconi is an adminis- Fort, Pa. She resides in Elmira, N.Y., trative assistant with the Miranda H. Thresher is a with husband Shawn. Occupational Safety and Health phlebotomist at Chester Debbie Brandt Landry is an
ing 2007 Administration (OSHA). She County Hospital. She resides attorney at Covais Law
Spr Bridget E. (Finnerty) Moran resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. in West Chester, Pa. Offices. She resides in Hanson, | has been a special education Mass., with husband Charles. WILKES
26
class notes
Dr. Kara (Jones) Martin has master’s degree in education at Glenmoore, Pa. She resides Kate Thomas is an operations been a staff pharmacist at Wilkes University.Aaron is with husband Jeremy Gordon coordinator for International Costa Drugs for nearly 13 employed as a network ’04, in Exton, Pa. SOS, an international medical years. She resides with engineer at Lightspeed assistance organization. She husband Christopher in Technologies.They reside in Lori Ann Phillips is an resides in Berwyn, Pa. Duryea, Pa. Forty Fort, Pa. engineer in training for BBL, an Arcadis Company, the Master’s Degrees Erin Priestman resides in Elizabeth (Alles) Sheakoski is world’s largest environmental Berwick, Pa. a sales manager at Residence consulting company. She 1986 Inn Sandestin. She resides in resides in Apex, N.C. Abiodun Ogunkoya resides in Emily Sheston resides in Destin, Fla. with husband Brian Hartstown, Dublin, Ireland. Philadelphia. ’03.They were married Sept. Tammy (Perry) Sweigart is a 16, 2006. Brian is an active- psychiatric caseworker at St. 1987 2003 duty captain and pharmacist in Joseph Medical Center in Kyla Cambell is a sports the U.S.Air Force. He is Reading, Pa. She resides in Betty Z. Harris is currently reporter at WJAC, stationed at Eglin AFB. Wyomissing, Pa., with husband retired and resides in Johnstown/Altoona, Pa. Craig and sons Elliot Neil and Mechanicsburg, Pa. 2004 Adian Daniel. Jason Holloway is a Emily Bly resides in 1999 financial representative with Wilkes-Barre,Pa. 2005 Heather Johnson-Mullisky is Northwestern Mutual. He Matthew Caines is a graduate an English teacher in the resides in Nescopeck, Pa., Misty (Weidner) Davis is a student at A.T. Still University, Wilkes-Barre School District. with wife Whitney (Bull) clinical staff pharmacist at the principal school of She resides in Mountain Top, Holloway. Lehigh Valley Hospital. She Kirksville College of Pa., with her daughters, resides in Martin’s Creek, Pa., Osteopathic Medicine. Caitrin and Ruth. James Moran resides in with husband Ron ’02 and Matthew has been inducted Larksville, Pa. children Evan and Rece. into Alpha Epsilon Delta, the 2002 national college honor society Erin Schultz and Aaron Ronald Krysiewski resides for premedical students. Upon Corey Yanoshak is a high Moreck ’03 were married in Moosic, Pa. completion of the Master of school teacher at Lake Forest Aug. 6, 2005, in Wilkes-Barre. Public Health program at School District in Felton, Erin is employed as an English Jessica Pezolano is a special ATSU, he plans to pursue Del., responsible for its teacher in the Dallas School education teacher at medical school in preparation Daylight/Twilight Program. District and is pursuing a Brandywine High School in for a career as a physician. He was hired in August and is Caines resides in Fort currently taking courses to Washington, Pa. become a certified business education teacher. Rachael Conner is a kinder- garten teacher at the 2006 Beginnings Company. She Amanda Wojcik is a special resides in Philadelphia. education teacher at Voorhees High School. She resides in 2006 Phillipsburg, N.J. Ashley Ambirge resides in Spring City, Pa. ing 2007 Spr |
Brian Tull ’02 and Michael V. O’Neill ’77 chat with Michael Wood, Wilkes’ executive director of advancement, in Washington, D.C. WILKES
27 class notes
In Memoriam last 44 years. She went to South Church, where she was a Friend of Wilkes Africa in 1962, was married and Eucharistic minister and had 1949 had six children. been employed as an outreach Geraldine Townend Nesbitt- John M. Culp Jr. died July 19, coordinator. Regina had been Orr died, July 21, 2006, at her 2006, at Hospice Care of the 1962 employed as a seventh grade home in Dallas, Pa. She Visiting Nurses Association at Dr. Stephen W. Schwartz school teacher at St. Boniface endowed $3 million for Wilkes Heritage House,Wilkes-Barre. died June 11, 2006, of compli- Interparochial School. University’s Nesbitt School of He served in World War II. cations from a 19-month Surviving are her parents, Pharmacy. Mrs. Orr named the Culp had resided on Rutter battle with lung cancer. He is Leonard J. and Marie A. Gdovin school in honor of her late Avenue in Kingston for 46 survived by his wife, Beverly Sulzinski; a son, Frank Bria Jr.; husband,Abram Nesbitt II, who years.A life member of the Major Schwartz ’61, son daughters Rebecca and Alyssa died in 1982.The gift was the Irem Temple, he was past Jonathan and daughter Jennifer Bria; a brother and a sister. largest one-time gift in the 66- president of the Kingston Moroz. He was a nationally year history of Wilkes Rotary. He served on the recognized figure in leadership 1980 University. council of the Church of education and was instru- Monsignor Andrew J. Orr helped to shape the Christ Uniting as the council mental in creating Marietta McGowan died July 19, 2006, Luzerne County Birth Control moderator and Sunday school College’s McDonough at Maryland Medical Center League, which secured its first teacher. Surviving are his wife Leadership Program, which in Baltimore after a long clinic space in the Kirby of 56 years, the former Rhuea became a national model for illness. He was 80. A distin- Memorial Health Center in Williams; sons John, Jeffrey and small liberal arts college guished toastmaster, 1934. She served as president of Drew; brother and sisters. leadership programs. community leader and the league from 1939-41. Her longtime priest in the family has been associated with 1950 1968 Diocese of Scranton, he quality health care and philan- John “Jack” D. Joseph of Joseph Roszko died Dec. 23, served in such local organi- thropy in Northeastern Hanover Township died Sept. 2005, after battling cancer. He zations as Leadership Pennsylvania since 1912, when 29, 2006, at Riverside Manor, played four years as a Colonel Wilkes-Barre, the F.M.Kirby Abram Nesbitt donated land for Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Jack was a and was co-captain of the Center,Wachovia Arena and West Side Hospital.In 1929, the graduate of Meyers High undefeated football team. He all four Catholic universities name of the hospital was School. He attended Bucknell enlisted in the U.S.Army in Northeast Pennsylvania. officially changed to Nesbitt University Junior College and Infantry immediately after He also was a leading public Memorial Hospital. She was Wilkes College. He was graduating from Wilkes. figure in both his work as a dedicated to serving the instrumental in naming Wilkes Serving two years in Vietnam, clergyman and community community on the board of College the “Colonels.” He he was a decorated soldier, advocate. Nesbitt Hospital and its was a member of the receiving two purple hearts. auxiliary. She also had a undefeated Wilkes football He spent much time tutoring 1989 longtime association with such teams of the late 1940s. As a and coaching young people. Christine A. (Dodds) organizations as the Wyoming member of the Eighth Air He retired from the Brasington died Aug. 11, Valley Philharmonic, the League Force, he was stationed in Pennsylvania Welfare 2006, after a long battle with of Women Voters and the Junior England and France during Department in June 2004. brain cancer. She died Aide. She was active at her World War II. He was a peacefully at home residence in Palm Beach, Fla., retired sales representative for 1973 surrounded by her family. She with the Garden Club, Crippled Lion Brewing Company, Regina Bria died May 14, is survived by her two Children’s Association and the Wilkes-Barre. 2006, in the Hospice Care of children, Lauren and Tyler, United Way.The Nesbitt-Orr the Visiting Nurses Association and her husband, Jamie. Trustee Scholarship was named 1960 at Heritage House,Wilkes- in honor of her and her second Mary (Homan) von Barre, after a battle with breast husband,William P.Orr III. Mrs.
ing 2007 Guilleaume died Sept. 16, 2006, cancer. She was a member of Nesbitt-Orr had attended the
Spr of pneumonia in Johannesburg, St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Wilkes-Barre Institute and the | South Africa, her home for the Conception Roman Catholic Sarah Lawrence School, Bronxville, N.Y. WILKES
28 then & now
Recognize anyone from these photos? Cue and Curtain presented Gershwin’s “Girl Crazy” at the Irem Temple in November 1954.The musical comedy was the first production to combine efforts of the theatre and music departments and included a pit orchestra. To identify cast members shown here, or to reminisce about these productions, visit The Colonel Connection at www.community.wilkes.edu and click on Message Boards. Or send us a note at “Wilkes” Magazine, 84 W. South St.,Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766.
Below is a scene from the Department of Visual and Performing Arts’April 2006 production of “Antigone,” by Jean Anouilh.The production was directed by guest artist Stephen Benson with costume designs by Tasjanna Lee Smith, scenery by Teresa Fallon and lighting by David Shock. Laura Dunbar played the role of Antigone. Shown here are (left to right) Deidre Lynch, Jared Roberts, Dara Rees,Andrea Kinal and Rachel Dyer.
PHOTO BY C. RICHARD GILLESPIE calendar of events
February April 1 Exhibition “Sudan:The Cost of Silence,” 1 Wilkes University Art Faculty Show, Sordoni Art Gallery. Runs through March 18. Sordoni Art Gallery. Runs through June. 13 Alumni Mixer, Connolly’s Pub, 19-22 “The Pied Piper” theatre New York City production, Darte Center 21 Alumni Mixer, Don Cesar Beach Resort, 27 Chorus/Chamber Singers Concert, St. Pete Beach, Fla. St. Stephen’s,Wilkes-Barre 22 Alumni Mixer, Bay Colony Beach Club, 28 Dance Concert, Darte Center Naples, Fla. 29 Civic Band Concert, Darte Center 23 Alumni Mixer, Hemisphere Lounge, 29 Max Rosenn Lecture, featuring film Miami Beach, Fla. “God Grew Tired of Us” and lecture by 26 Alumni Mixer, Chapel Hill Golf Club, director Christopher Dillon Quinn and Douglasville, Ga. John Dau, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan in the film, Darte Center March TBA Alumni Mixer, Boston 12 Alumni Mixer, Omni Tucson National, Tucson,Ariz. May 13 Gallery Talk,“Sudan:The Cost of Silence” 5 Flute Ensemble Concert, Darte Center with photographer Ryan Spencer Reed, 10 Wilkes Alumni Day at Lackawanna Sordoni Art Gallery County Stadium (Yankees vs. Pawtucket 14 Alumni Mixer, Omni Interlocken Resort, Red Sox) Denver, Colo. 19 Spring Commencement 29 Allan P.Kirby Lecture Series in Law and 26-27 “Last Hurrah”Wrestling Reunion, Humanities, featuring Ken Schmidt, Wilkes University (Come celebrate former director of communications for Coach Reese’s 80th birthday!) Harley-Davidson 30 Alumni Yield Party, RiverCrest Golf Club, June Montgomery County, Pa. 21-29 Alumni trip to northern Italy TBA Alumni Mixer, Philadelphia
For details on dates and locations, check www.wilkes.edu and The Colonel Connection!
WILKES UNIVERSITY Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766