TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOL. 16, NO. 1 75TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR JANUARY 2001
FEATURES
75 YEARS ON 75 ACRES Chairman of the Board William C. Sennett, Esq. The seed was sown in 1920; the property was purchased in 1922; construction began in 1925; the college opened in 1926. The student body numbered 25. It was President Dr. William P. Garvey the beginning of the college's First Spring. Editor Mary Daly '66 PRESERVING THE LEGACY Vice President of Public Affairs The college turned coeducational Feb. 3,1969, graduated its first male student in Editorial Assistants June 1969 and its first four-year class of men June 3,1973. The Second Spring left Margaret Closson M '00 its mark and prepared Mercyhurst for its Third Spring, the period of its greatest Sharon Sisco Gennifer Tyson prosperity. Oral Historian Larie Pintea '92 THE $20 MILLION WALK Mercyhurst will embark on a $20 million capital campaign Jan. 1,2001, to Feature Writers Gary Bukowski 73 construct a $6 million academic building, renovate Old Main and Zurn Hall and Mary Daly '66 enhance its endowment by another $10 million — a fitting benchmark in the 75th Don McQuaid Deborah W. Morton year anniversary plans. Larie Pintea '92 Paul Reichart Dr. Andrew Roth Gennifer Tyson 14 SUITING UP FOR MERCYHURST Photo Credits Laker sports began 30 years ago, shortly after Mercyhurst turned coeducational. In Associated Press 27 the beginning there was only one sport, tennis. Today there are 12 varsity sports for Mercyhurst College Archives Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute men and 11 for women. It's a fascinating story of humble yet spirited beginnings for Sisters of Mercy Archives the Lakers. Times Publishing Company Archives Ed Bernik 3,12 Mary Daly 8,10,11,29 Penny Hanes 23 Jim Judkis 31 17 TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT: A LINK TO MERCYHURSTS PAST Paul M. Lorei 4,13,15,17,25,26,30,32 Three men, three friends, three pillars of the community look back on their years Design of service to Mercyhurst College as trustees during the Second and Third Springs. GraphicDesign The spotlight is on Albert F. Duval, Charles H. Bracken and F. William Hirt. Printing Printing Technologies 21 WHY DOES MERCYHURST COST $20,000? The Mercyhurst Magazine is published by the Office In 1926, tuition at Mercyhurst was $150 and with room and board the cost was of Public Affairs. This special edition was produced in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of $770. Today, the cost of a Mercyhurst education is $20,000. Economically, a Mercyhurst College, which will run the calendar year college education is still the best investment a young person can make. But why 2001. The opening day of the college was Sept. 20, 1926. does it cost so much? The Magazine's address is: 501 E. 38th St., Erie, Pa. 16546 ETC. Telephone 814.824.2285 • FAX 814.824.2470 6 Mystery of the Charter Oak E-mail address:
1925 — Aug. 25, the laying of the cornerstone at Mercyhurst College draws 5,000 people.
.he movies, which had been silent, were just beginning to talk. Although the aver age price of a new car was $310, a majority of Americans did not yet own an automo bile. A gallon of milk cost 56 cents, and "silent" Calvin Coolidge occupied the White House. The year was 1926, the year Mercyhurst was founded. In 2001, the college will celebrate its 75th Anniversary, still a youngster when measured against schools founded 200 or 300 years ago, but old enough to begin showing signs of maturity, strength, even complexity — and yet young enough that its peak years still lie ahead. In this 75th Anniversary issue of Mercyhurst Magazine, an effort has been made to capture a sense of the past, the present and the future of "the college on the hill," the seventh institution of higher learning founded in America by the Sisters of Mercy. This commemorative issue is dedicated to the thousands of persons, past and present, who through their dedication and sacrifice have helped to bring Mercyhurst to the dawn of a new century and the radiant unfolding of the dream of its founders. •
H N N 1 R D I I O N "> 0 0 1 MERCYHURST PRESERVES ITS LEGACY cres 75 Years on SPRING I w/ M E RCYHU RST'S FIRST By Mary Daly
X took a century and a quarter for Erie's It took the two Sisters a year to find the lines. Ground was broken Sept. 8,1924. classrooms to reach the ridge crowning the perfect site. Enlisting the help of TO. In their preliminary plans for city. In 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its Andrews of the Andrews Land Co., they Mercyhurst and in their later efforts to doors on a wind-swept hill overlooking viewed every available parcel in and around finance that work, the Sisters relied on Frank Lake Erie, just 12 blocks away from the Erie. Finally, the 75 acres on Cooper Road W. Wallace of the Second City Bank to help city's southern boundary. From its humble owned by the heirs of Judge Gunnison were bring about the financial negotiations for the yet inspired beginnings, the college has selected as the birthplace of Mercyhurst. construction of Mercyhurst. On his advice, emerged as a major force in the educational the Sisters sold $500,000 in low-interest landscape of the region. bonds door-to-door to finance the construc The seed from which Mercyhurst tion of the new college. sprang was sown in 1920 when the Sisters of Allotting two years for the construction, Mercy were celebrating their golden jubilee the H. J. Conrath Co. of Erie, general con in Titusville. Their religious community was tractors for the project, assured the Sisters growing rapidly and enrollment in their there would be plenty of time to build the boarding school had reached the point massive facility. Even though the schedule where larger facilities were needed. lagged months behind because of Erie The Sisters felt their needs had out weather, by late summer 1926, it looked as if grown what Titusville could offer and that if the college would be finished just in time to the order was to prosper, a new field of The first student body of Mercyhurst College started classes Sept. 20,1926. begin classes. . action was needed. In 1921, the community Then, two weeks before classes were to looked to the episcopal city of Erie for their The Sisters used most of their $65,000 in begin, the workers went on strike over a future, making a request to Bishop John savings to purchase the land near the city's labor dispute at another construction site in Mark Gannon to allow them to build a high new Glenwood district on the southernmost Erie that had nothing to do with the Sisters school and college in the lakeside city. ridge of the city, 265 feet above the street or Mercyhurst. Bishop Gannon, who regularly lent his level at 10th and State streets. In their typical unconquerable spirit, enthusiastic support to educational projects From the beginning, Mother Borgia was the Sisters finished the work themselves. in the diocese, gave his blessing, knowing determined to make Mercyhurst the "beauty They worked round the clock, with help in that Mercyhurst would only add luster to spot in the diocese of Erie." Wanting the the last week from members of the Sacred his tenure as chief shepherd of the Diocese. institution to be a masterpiece of harmony, Heart Ushers Society and St. Mary's Ushers Fortified with the necessary permission, she directed that the exterior of the college Society who had volunteered their services. Mother M. Borgia Egan, superior of the be given as much attention as its interior. The date was Sept. 20,1926. It was a Titusville Sisters, and her assistant, Sister M. Under her direction, the Sisters hired rainy day, the windows leaked and a tractor Pierre Wilbert, set out to find the site on prominent architect F Ferdinand Durang of pulled cars from the muddy ground around which to build their dream. Philadelphia to design Mercyhurst, while the barely finished building. Despite the For more than 50 years, the Sisters had Walter J. Monahan was charged with creat problems, Mercyhurst College wrote the been hemmed in between hills and, beauti ing a plan to beautify the surrounding prop first page of its history by opening its doors ful as the valley was, a hilltop had a definite erty. to its first 25 students. charm for them. They were guided in their Durang, one of the leading architects of And thus began what has affectionately search by two absolutes: They would build educational buildings of the time, created a come to be known as the First of on a hill and their new home would include masterpiece of English Gothic design that Mercyhurst's "Three Springs." a view of Lake Erie. had a suggestion of a medieval castle in its
1922 - Sept. 30, Sisters of Mercy purchase 75 1928 — Oct. 5, College receives its charter. Charter 2929 — First library opens on second floor of acres in southeastern Erie, Pa., for $51,000. Oak tree planted Oct. 10, Mother Borgia's feast day. Egan with 8,500 volumes.
1924, Sept. 8, Ground broken. First graduation held June 4,1929. Sept. 20,1926, Mercyhurst College opens.
MERCYHURST MAGAZINE MERCYHURST PRESERVES LEGACY
MERCYHURST'S SECOND & THIRD SPRINGS By Mary Daly A llnnriversarie s that end in zero or five lend Feb. 3,1969, when the board of trustees lege has experienced its greatest period of themselves to reflection, to a quiet look voted to admit the first class of men to growth and prosperity. back on the people and events that have Mercyhurst. In the past two decades, the college has giyen shape to life as we know it today. become one of the 20 top private liberal arts From the tract of farmland on the colleges in the North and the second bluffs overlooking Lake Erie to largest Mercy college in America. It has Mercyhurst' s modem campus 75 years later, grown its student body to a record 3,225 the college has undergone dynamic change students, its faculty to 125, and its endow during its Second Spring (1963-1972) under ment to $12 million. Its budget is now $47 Sister Carolyn Herrmann, and its Third million, and an unprecedented $40 million Spring, beginning in 1980, under Dr. program of new buildings and campus ren William P. Garvey. ovations has been realized. Today Mercyhurst covers six blocks In addition to the pace-setting growth and is the largest piece of unbroken real on the main campus, in 1991 Mercyhurst estate in Erie. The changes to the campus purchased the 100-year-old Redemptorist during the Second and Third Springs have Seminary in North East, which today hous been so dramatic that one 10-year alum es the college's two-year programs on 80 said, "If we didn't have Old Main and the acres in the middle of the country's front gates, there wouldn't be much of a Concord grape region. For many alums resemblance to the college we knew." Today who remember the "old Mercyhurst" and Old Main is the spiritual center of a campus who loved the small college atmosphere, that has blossomed to include 33 structures Mercyhurst-North East with its 600 stu stretching to the east, west and south. dents is the next best thing. As the Second Spring unfolded under The first four-year class of male students graduated More important than all the physical Sister Carolyn Herrmann, who led the from Mercyhurst College June 3,2973. growth, however, the college has emerged school through the tremendous changes of as a regional leader in higher education the 1960s, a new Mercyhurst began to "Ripeness is all," said Shakespeare. By while remaining true to its mission as a pri emerge. While remembered for her coura the time Dr. William P. Garvey assumed the vate Catholic liberal arts college in the geous and progressive leadership, Sister presidency in 1980, the time was ripe for Mercy tradition. Carolyn made her mark in Mercyhurst his Mercyhurst to begin its Third Spring. As As the college celebrates its diamond tory as the leader who guided the college in Dr. Garvey became the driving force behind anniversary during 2001, Mercyhurst will its great transition to a coeducational insti the next phase of the college's growth, the honor its past, celebrate its present, and tution. same spirit of excitement that marked the work together to bring to full maturity the Three dates in Mercyhurst history founding of the college by Mother Borgia fruits of the Third Spring. • stand out above all others: Sept. 20,1926, and its transition to coeducation under when the college opened; Oct. 5,1928, Sister Carolyn pervaded the college on the Don McQuaid also contributed to this article. when the school received its charter; and hill. Under his inspired leadership, the col-
1929 — First May Crowning 1932 — Original drawing of proposed O'Neil 1947 — Two prefabricated houses built on Egan Tower and Christ the King Chapel. deck for additional student housing. Became known as the "Deck Houses."
Torn down 1967. Current site of Sullivan Hall
7 5TH NNIVERSARY EDITION 2 0 0 1 MERCYHURST PRESER VES ITS LEGACY The $20 Mlon Walk By Larie Pintea
r. William Garvey7 s evening walk Equipped with a wooden pointer, like • A new 40,000-square-foot academic around the Mercyhurst College campus is a an old history professor would prefer, Dr. building that will cost $6 million. It ritual that started some 21 years ago. It was Garvey points to a map of his vision for a will be located in the southeast a short inspection walk, around only a few transformed Mercyhurst College campus, campus, just east of Zum Hall, and buildings, which never left him breathless. doubled in size and scope. contain 20 new classrooms and The college president grins now when Without hesitation he plunges into his state-of-the-art educational someone suggests that he should have a presentation, tapping the colorful aerial pic technology. pair of serious hiking boots for his "all's ture of the transformed campus, citing the well" walk, one that would take him 14 need for each development in the master Dr. Garvey's wooden pointer taps on miles from the main campus to North East. plans. the next object: "What Bill Garvey has done in 20 years is astounding," Mercyhurst College trustee • Complete renovation of Zum Hall, chairman, Atty. William C. Sennett, said familiar to Mercyhurst students since recently. "But what he is planning to accom 1968. Cost $2 million dollars. The new plish in the next three or four years will be life for the science and fine arts nothing short of a small miracle. building will transform it as the focal "I don't know of anyone who doesn't point of the college's second believe that his $20 million legacy plan will academic quad. succeed. It's a fitting benchmark in the 75- year history of Mercyhurst, one that will He gets even more animated with the take us a big step closer to national recogni pointer as he taps on the third major proj tion as an outstanding liberal arts college," ect, Old Main. Atty. Sennett said with enthusiasm. "This is close to all the people who That enthusiasm is a part of the know and love Mercyhurst. Who among us spillover from a series of informational in all our college family, doesn't have a spe meetings Dr. Garvey has conducted in cial place in our hearts for Old Main: We recent months with members of the col must preserve her!" lege's trustees, faculty, administrative staff, daily operations team members, and, of • The renovation of the original course, the students. building, including new electrical,
1950 — Gates from Harry K. Thaw estate in 1953 — May 4, Joseph J. Weber Memorial dedicated. 1959 — Jan. 6, Ground broken for McAuley Pittsburgh become front campus signature landmark. Inheritance left to Sister Mary Alice Weber and Hall. September 1959, the original residence hall Sister Rachael Weber finances construction. adjoining Old Main is named Egan Hall.
M R H U R M A G Z I N . (plumbing, heating and cooling) and Mother Borgia for 31 years, and which took should be positioned to be compared favor replacement of Old Main's 950 fire in 1963 under Sister Carolyn Herrmann ably with nationally ranked schools." windows will cost $2 million. who became a civic force in her 10-year While acknowledging that some alums tenure as president." are stunned when they visit the campus The president had everyone's total Mother Borgia and Sister Carolyn were after an absence of 10 or more years, Dr. attention with the presentation of the first critical factors in Mercyhurst's history, Dr. Garvey notes, "For some it's hard to take, three projects, which will cost $10 million. remembering the little school and the small facilities. "But after they get a full exposure and understand what has been accomplished, Garvey maintains. "We cannot give them they come back and tell us they love it, that He admits, however, that he saw a few enough credit for their accomplishments. they are proud of it, that they want to be jaws drop when he announced the final "Under Sister Carolyn's watch, part of its future. It make us all tremendous segment in the legacy plan. "We will Mercyhurst changed to a coeducational ly proud to be part of its legacy. enhance the college endowment plan by college and moved from a point in time "This has all been the accomplishment $10 million." Not a waver or a blink as Dr. where we came perilously close to closing of many people — a board of trustees with Garvey waves his wand at the whole col our doors as a college, to a time, now, when strength and vision, a faculty and adminis lege enhancement. we are potentially a great American col- tration devoted to their tasks, and a trusted "I don't want any doubts about secur lege." staff who treat this college as a special place ing the future of Mercyhurst College." Raising $20 million will be a major in their lives." The endowment is vital, he says, to effort in the next three or four years, he The college president's voice softens a maintain Mercyhurst's competitiveness emphasizes. "But it's not money for the bit as he reveals some of his heartfelt feel with some of the best schools in the north sake of money. What it is, is money for the ings. eastern United States. future of Mercyhurst. "The Sisters of Mercy handed me the Dr. Garvey stresses, "This will be an "This legacy drive doesn't just keep it responsibility in 1980, to preserve and pro all-out drive to reposition Mercyhurst going, it drives it to much higher ground tect their cherished college, to enhance it if I College so it can really surge ahead toward academically. Within the next three to five could," he said. major objectives in the next 20 years." years, I want this to be an institution of "When I take my walk around the He sees the legacy plans as a reaffirma 3,000 students 'on the hill,' and 800 students campuses two decades later, I feel hopeful tion in the future of the college and of its in North East. That would put us near the that I have succeeded in the task they major role in the life of the Erie community. 4,000 mark. That's the critical student mass entrusted to me. "The success of this endeavor will and budget FTE needed to support the "We believe that on our watch this show that the college is valued by the peo physical plant." administration positioned Mercyhurst for ple of this community. They, too, will be By 2003, he projects the college will the future. It has all the signs of an institu investing in our future," he points out. have a budget of $55 million to $60 million, tion ready to take off." There has been a mutual respect shared and employ more than 400 people. When With a wave of an arm Dr. Garvey by Mercyhurst and the people of Erie for Dr. Garvey took over as president, the col charges his audience, "It's up to us to make many years since the Sisters of Mercy put lege had a budget of $5 million and it happen... and $20 million is the next down the cornerstone of the college in 1925, employed about 180 people. step." • proceeding on pure faith, with only small "We now increasingly compete for stu encouragement. dents with Allegheny and John Carroll, and "Perhaps there was a time many years U.S. News and World Report recently Larie Pintea has been a member of the ago when this campus was somewhat ranked us as one of the 20 best liberal arts President's Board of Associates for the past 31 remote from the rest of the city," Dr. Garvey schools in the North. That's an excellent years. He is the retired managing editor of the reflects. "But we have committed ourselves ranking in about 130 colleges. We're 19th — Morning News and the oral historian of the to the community and, we feel, made it a not bad — but I tell people we have to be in college. better place to live, socially, culturally the top 10," Dr. Garvey explains. civically. The Mercyhurst president doesn't hesi "It's all now part of a Mercyhurst tradi tate to set the goal for the college he has led tion that was started and nurtured by for 21 years. "Within the next 20 years we
1968 - April 11, Zurn Hall dedicated. 1969 — Feb. 3, Mercyhurst turns coeducational. Daniel 1970 - July 17, Baldwin Hall dedicated. Burke becomes first male graduate of the college June 9,1969.
7 5TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2 0 0 1 MERCYHURST PRESERVES ITS LEGACY
By Don McQuaid
he acorn has long been considered a result of an ice storm a few years after its the other about 40 feet to the south of it. It is symbol of good luck. Bearing a tiny seed planting, substantiating the first theory. possible that one of these trees was planted that will produce a mighty oak, the acorn The Sisters feel strongly that if the oak as a replacement for the Charter Oak. But if reminds us that great things can be born of died during Mother Borgia's lifetime, she so, why isn't there a plaque stating this fact? humble beginnings. most definitely would have had a second Even the Sisters wonder. The Sisters of Mercy certainly had this oak planted. They said that in Mother Mary Daly '66, vice president of public in mind when they planted Mercyhurst's Borgia's annual talks to the freshman class affairs, recalls as senior class president plan Charter Oak Oct. 10,1928, the feast day of she always made a point of telling them ning the traditional Senior Week ceremony Mother Borgia Egan, first president of the that an oak was planted to commemorate of planting a tree as the class gift to the col college. The ceremony, attended by the the granting of the college's charter. lege. Daly said that Sister Eymard Poydock entire student body took place five days '43, senior class adviser at the time, had told after the college's charter was granted. her it was a tradition begun in the early From photographs of the planting cere years by Mother Borgia as a way to beautify mony found in the Mercyhurst archives, it the campus. The historic significance of is certain that the Charter Oak was planted these trees, like that of the Charter Oak, has on the front campus, probably in the vicini been lost because none of them is marked ty of Weber Hall, which was built in 1953. with a commemorative plaque. Today, however, there are no oak trees on It would seem that the mystery of the that part of the campus. So what happened whereabouts of the Charter Oak simply to the Charter Oak? reflects the times and the way things were According to Sister M. Eustace Taylor done in the college's earlier years as '29 and Sister Mary Charles Weschler '40, opposed to now. Even so, it remains puz the tree in question was a pin oak about 12 zling why the Charter Oak was never given feet tall. They believe there are two possible landmark status. explanations for its disappearance: 1) It was Seventy-some years later, this most sig planted and died 2) It was too large to be nificant milestone in the academic historv of transplanted and had to be removed when J either Weber Hall or Hammermill Library the college, however, will be recognized as was built. part of Mercyhurst's 75th anniversary cele bration. The college will place a plaque at Gary Bukowski '73, who did his senior one of the two pin oaks near Zum Hall to thesis on the first 10 years of the college and Sister Mary Charles seems to recall that commemorate the granting of the school's is now vice president for institutional a tree located between Zum Hall and charter and the planting of the original advancement, said that when he was a stu Baldwin Hall was called the Charter Oak. charter oak. And what better day to do the dent at Mercyhurst, he had heard by oral Two giant pin oaks now stand in this area, honors than Founders Day, Oct. 10, 2001. • history that the Charter Oak had died as the one near the marquee in front of Zurn and
2971 — Learning Resource Center opens in 19S0 - July 1, Dr. William P. Garoey succeeds Dr. 1985 — July 4, Mercyhurst begins its first Old June. First capital campaign of the college (1967) Marion L. Shane as president. Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. successfully raises $750,000 for its construction.
Inaugurated Sept. 22, Third Spring begins.
M E R H U M I N LADIES OF THE 3 OS
ALUMS FROM THE THIRTIES
he Lindbergh baby was kidnapped from his crib in Princeton, New Jersey. The Great Depression held the nation in its grip. Newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt was faced with an unprecedented 24 percent unemployment rate. And Babe Ruth called his famous home run for the New York Yankees. These were a few of the highlights of the time during which young women attend ed Mercyhurst College in the 1930s — a time before television and computers and cell phones, a time before women's lib and rock 'n' roll, a time when all the memories of Mercyhurst were only a few years old. In the cameos that follow, alums of the 30s bring to life the Mercyhurst of the First Spring, capturing its essence as perhaps nothing else can, and, among other things, putting a human face on the legendary founder of the school, the indomitable Mother Borgia Egan. •
1985 — Garoey Park begins to take shape when 3, 1987 — Sullivan Hall built. Cafeteria expanded and 1988 - Oct. 16, $1.6 million D'Angelo School bricks are laid. Six years later the Canterbury Clock, state-of-the-art kitchen added for HRIM program. of Music dedicated.
donated with the 15-year proceeds of Canterbury Feast, becomes its focal point.
7 5 H A N N I V E R R Y D I N 2 0 0 1 LADIES OF THE 30 S Natalie Ford Allen Remembers...
By Deborah Morton
f only "The Gates" could speak, what sto big woman, stately and stern," she recalled. to allow the girls to hold a dance on campus. ries they would tell — "The nuns were very strict in those days, Mother Borgia capitulated to the wish ... of eager students crossing the Mother Borgia, especially. You could never es of Nat and her persistent friends, but threshold of independence; of dedicated pull anything over on her. We girls would only after imposing strict guidelines regard educators challenging young minds; of go out and smoke in the woods during our ing decorum. For example, as a day-hop bishops, statesmen, entertainers and other free periods and when we'd head back to (commuter), Nat was required to arrive at dignitaries dining with college presidents. class, she'd be waiting." school in advance of her date, who would The historic iron gates framing the With her arms crossed sternly across follow later and sign in to claim her. Then, entrance to Erie's Mercyhurst College can her chest, her stiffly starched black-and- and only then, could the twosome proceed not so enlighten, but there is an individual white habit encircling her like a funnel to the basement of Old Main where the first nearly as recognizable and elegant who, like cloud, she would command, "Girls, come school dance was held. "The Gates," is a landmark in her own over here. I know what you've been up to." Clearly, the individual Nat would right. She is 91-year-old Mercyhurst alumna And they would march forward to meet become over nine decades — wife, mother, Natalie Ford Allen and she IS talking! her, not a recalcitrant one in the bunch. career woman, community servant, church As one of Mercyhurst's first graduates The encounters were enough to send goer, and a lady known countywide for her (1930), one of the first brides married in the shivers down a young Catholic girl's spine, impeccable style — was influenced signifi college chapel (1937), a starlet in but, at 19, Nat had a reputation for charm cantly by her years at the college. Mercyhurst's debut theater production of ing her way around infractions, minor "They were great years for me," she "The Wild Rose" (1929), and the orchestra- though they were. said, now relaxed in a sun-dappled room at tor of the college's first campus dance, "I wasn't what you would call a rebel St. Mary's Home, where she has lived the "Nat" has memories of her alma mater that lious teenager," said Nat. "I just liked a past six years. date back to its infancy. challenge and a good time." A petite woman with soft chestnut hair, Nat has agreed to share some of her Throughout her years at Mercyhurst, high cheekbones, hazel eyes and a razor- stories. She starts with the late Mother Nat had the sense that she could move sharp wit, Nat seems to have stepped Borgia Egan, Mercyhurst's founder and first heaven and earth, but not Mother Borgia. straight out of "The Golden Girls." She president. "Oh, Mother Borgia was a great That changed when she persuaded Mother laughs at her own foibles and isn't con-
2989 - Preston Hall third floor added for 1990 — Oct. 7, Carolyn Herrmann Union dedicated. 1991 — Jan. 23, Board of trustees approve $1.5 million business department. purchase of Saint Mary's Seminary in North East, Pa.,
Named Walker School of Business Nov. 7,1996. Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts begins from the Redemptorist Fathers. Opens Mercyhurst- summer residence at Mercyhurst. North East in September. Retires debt 1999.
8 MERCYHURST MAGAZINE strained by life's ticking clock. One of Nat's favorite teachers was the Nat Allen remembers her first and foremost Born Feb. 27,1909, to the late Richard late Sister Mary Esther, who taught business as the fashion plate of Erie. Whether attend and Helen Ford, Nat has lived in Erie all courses, including typing. ing a social event or a meeting of one of the her life. "She was an excellent teacher and if many community groups she supported, all Her father had hoped she would study you took a class from her, you learned, Nat had to do was walk in the door and voice. After she graduated from Academy whether you wanted to or not," said Nat. heads would turn. Indeed, her wardrobe High School in 1928, he promptly enrolled After Nat completed her two-year seemed to know no limits, as observers will her in the Ithaca Conservatory of Music. business program at Mercyhurst in 1930, recall. She promptly threatened to run away from she immediately went to work at her Pillboxes, home. father's insurance business in downtown berets, wide- "I had a nice voice and I always loved Erie as his "Girl Friday." When he became brimmed hats, music, but not as my livelihood," explained ill, she shouldered even more responsibility, veils and Nat, a woman who chose, instead, a career reminding him that it was that tough hoods — no in business. accounting course and not the voice lessons outfit was Mercyhurst College, meanwhile, had that enabled her to do so. complete recently opened its doors and Nat chose to Later, she and her husband, the late without a hat commute from her family's home in Paul Allen, founded their own insurance — which led _ Wesleyville. Her dad's blessing followed business and worked side by side for more to her nickname after she promised to balance her business than 30 years. They had a son, Dennis, who "Nat the Hat." courses with piano and voice lessons. still lives at the West Ninth Street address Even today, Nat He was particularly delighted when they called home for most of their married isn't sure whether it was an obsession, a she joined the cast of Mercyhurst's first the life. passion, or a little of both that drove her to ater production, "The Wild Rose," an They were a dual-income family long fill closets knee-deep with shoes and sky- operetta staged in 1929 at the former before it became the norm, and Nat will be high with hats. Colonial Theater at Peach near Ninth Street. the first to advise any young woman today "I just loved beautiful things," she con When the curtain came down, though, that she can have both — family and career. fessed. it marked the finale of Nat's stage career. Nat and Paul Allen were married Feb. 6, At 91, Nat has abandoned her former "I just didn't like the feeling of being 1937, one of the first couples to exchange high-fashion profile for a "sophisticated other people," said Nat, who had played vows in Mercyhurst's Christ the King casual" look. She may be relegated to the part of a suffragette. "I have always Chapel. Since then, the college chapel has wearing athletic shoes now, but they always liked being me." been the site of more than 500 alumni wed match her outfit, and she loves her acces So she concentrated on her business dings. sories. curriculum. All of her classes were held in It was Mercyhurst's registrar at the As much as Nat prides herself on being Mercyhurst's original structure, the grand time, the late Sister Mary Alice Weber, who a woman of fashion, she counts herself for Old Main, which remains the crowm jewel was instrumental in arranging Nat's mar tunate to be a woman of faith. She attends of the campus. Then it was surrounded by riage at the chapel. Mass and says the rosary daily. woods. Now, there are more than 30 other "In those days, I think a lot of times the Every morning when she wakes up, architecturally imposing buildings chiseled nuns had hoped we girls at the college Nat reads a poster on the wall of her room. into the magnificently manicured grounds. would become nuns, and I admit, I did It is a message she takes to heart. "It's a city all its own," she said of the think about it," Nat said. "But Sister Mary "Good Morning," it reads: sprawling 75-acre main campus in Alice made sure to tell me that WHEN I This is God. Glenwood Hills. But it's not so much the decided to get married, I should come back I will be handling shifting topography that surprises her as it and marry in the new chapel they were All your problems today. is the changing human landscape. building. And so I did." I will not need your help ... What the Sisters of Mercy inaugurated Keeping pace with the changes that So, have a great day! in 1926 as Mercyhurst College and Seminar}7 span a nine-decade lifetime is no small task, And if ever God does need any help, for Girls with 25 young women in the col but Nat isn't one to whine about change. In Nat said she has no doubts that Mother lege and 100 more in the seminary, is now a fact, she seems to enjoy the synthesis of old Borgia will rise to the occasion. • coeducational institution with a total under and new. Maybe that is part of the secret to graduate enrollment of more than 3,000 her longevity Deborah Morton is a free-lance writer from Erie. young men and women. Arguably, anyone who has ever known
1992 - Dec. 8, $1.4 million Ice Center dedicated. 1993 — May 16, First class of student 1993 - Oct. 12, Albert}. Duval Apartments dedicated. Ambassadors inducted. Nov. 7, Frances Warde Townhouses dedicated and new
statue for Our Lady ofLourdes Grotto blessed. Parking ramp on east campus opens with 1993-94 academic year.
7 5TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2 0 0 1 The Queen of Homecoming...
By Gennifer Tyson
"Did I expect all this attention? Never!" Mother called to Ethel. the rules of Depression-era America, she said Ethel Levick Shapira, an Erie native "You have something in here!" she said had to quit when she got married to who graduated in the class of 1932 and to me. "Of course, I denied it, but you did Charles Shapira. After their children were returned for Homecoming 2000. "But since I n't get much by Mother. She didn't miss a raised, Ethel returned to the public school am the eldest graduate here, I think I trick and didn't believe me for a minute." district where she taught for nearly 20 should take a bow." Sure enough, Mother Borgia demand years. Along the way, she earned a master's Dressed in a sharp brocade suit, Ethel, ed the spiked cider be thrown out, but Ethel degree in education from Gannon. who turned 90 in December, followed the begged her to change her mind. "I told her, Today Ethel spends seven months of evening's events with sparkling eyes, and, 'You will embarrass me in front of every the year in Naples, Fla., and returns home to everyone's delight, told stories of days one/ and she finally relented," said Ethel. for the summer. long past. "She was a master at the art of compro Watching the evolution of Mercyhurst Her favorite tale? mise." has been interesting for Ethel, who admits "That would be the time when Mother The deal: "We had to promise we some changes she foresaw, while some oth Borgia caught us spiking the cider for our would stay at the dance, no one was ers were a complete surprise. prom," said Ethel, winking mischievously. allowed to leave." Then and only then "I have to say I could see the expan With a flair for the dramatic, Ethel could the cider remain. "Sounded fair sions and new buildings coming, because I recounts the events of the day more than 65 enough to all of us," she recalls. knew how hard the nuns worked to make years ago. "The next day, " Ethel said, "I found this college succeed," said Ethel. "But even "I was president of this, of that, and Mother and gave her a big hug. I told her as a mother of two sons — I never imag when we had our prom, I was in charge," she was a honey and thanked her for not ined I would see men on this campus." she said. After booking the orchestra, embarrassing me." Regardless of the contrasts between arranging the decorations and handling the As Ethel reminisced about her time at today's Mercyhurst and the one still clear in rest of the details, Ethel was faced with pro Mercyhurst, she explained she was only her memories, Ethel says she loves visiting viding the refreshments. going to attend the Catholic college for a and reminiscing about her alma mater. "The girls, they all wanted something year. Originally, she had planned to attend "I just love this place. It is filled with so hard," said Ethel. "So I got cider, as hard as Temple University but her father died unex many good memories for me. I loved I could find, but they still weren't happy. pectedly. Everything changed. Mercyhurst then and I love it now," she They had something a little harder in "I decided to stay home and take class said. mind." es at Mercyhurst for a year while my family "The nuns, they were like family to me. Always eager to please, Ethel spiked got itself together." I loved every one of them and, yes, I espe the cider with "a little vodka, something That first year as a day-hop (commuter cially loved Mother Borgia. She really loved that wouldn't have an odor," she recalls. "I student) turned into four for Ethel, and in us, too./ / didn't think we'd get caught." 1932, the first Jewish woman to attend "We just put in a little here and a little Mercyhurst College graduated as valedicto there," admits Ethel. "But then, in marches rian of her class. Gennifer Tyson of Chicago, 111, joined the public Mother Borgia." Soon after graduation she took a job at affairs office at Mercyhurst this year. After helping herself to a glass of cider, Strong Vincent High School, but then, per
1994 - Sept 19, Philip D. Hirtzel Field dedi 1996 — Dec. 5, Trustees approve automation of college 1996 - March 2, the $3.7 million Mary D'Angelo cated at Mercyhurst-North East. Recognized as library and construction of a pitched roof and fourth floor, to Performing Arts Center opens. Praised for pristine finest baseball diamond in region. bring architectural lines in harmony with Old Main.
acoustics. Dedicated April 20 at the 20th annual D'Angelo Young Artists Competition.
10 MERCYHURST \I z i \ MOTHER BORGIA REMEMBERED ...
By Larie Pintea
'orgia may be an ominous name in histo in Titusville giving a retreat at the main Four Mercv sisters who knew Mother ry books, but for Mercyhurst College, base of the Mercy sisters. He suggested Borgia gathered for a recent interview to Borgia spells a wondrous woman who cre where she might look for a college site. "Go talk about Mother Borgia, the incredible ated a college in her mind and then, by her to the top of the hill in Erie and look at the woman they knew, worked with and loved incredible will, pushed it into existence, lake. That's where you should build," he for the spirit and confidence she instilled in brick by brick, dollar by dollar, sister by sis told her. She found the perfect spot in the them. ter. All this despite a secret few knew. wooded fringe south of the city and, in They are Sister Eustace Taylor, 96, and She was an Egan girl from the large 1922, convinced the Order to buy 75 acres Sister Loretta McHale, 94, former presidents Irish family of Michael and Maty Leary for $51,000. And so it all began. of the college; and Sister Bertha Michalik, Egan near DuBois, Pa. A tall, well-built 94, and Sister Mary Charles Weschler, 80. woman with a brilliant mind, she knew not Seventy-five acres was a lot of land and only how to plan, but also how to select, there was much discussion among the sis train and direct other women to accomplish ters, Sister Loretta recalls. "What will we do what she knew was God's purpose: to build with all this land?" some asked. After all, a college for women in Erie. the sisters had not operated a college before Her name was Katherine but a few and their new seminary would have about people called her Kitty. She made her first 100 girls. Plans called for only one building mark in education as principal of St. with an attached dorm. Mother Borgia, Catherine's High School in DuBois, which however, reminded the sisters, "We're mov became the first accredited parochial high ing from Titusville because we don't have school in Pennsylvania. That accomplish enough room to expand. I don't want that ment singled her out as a leader among to be the case for our new venture. We want approximately 100 Mercy sisters, more than land to grow. We have to look to the half of them under the age of 40, who elect future." ed her major Superior in 1918. It was an When Mercyhurst College opened in extraordinary feat for many reasons, not the 1926, Mother Borgia was 49. She directed least of which was her secret. Mercvhurst's destinv for the next three Her rise in Mercyhurst history began J J decades. After one year in the presidency shortly after Bishop John Mark Gannon told by virtue of being the Superior, she became her she could "build a new school." No per dean of the college. "She didn't want to be son or obstacle deterred her after that. There president. She wanted to be dean, where is strong reason to believe the bishop might she would be near the students," recalls have meant a seminary for high school stu Sister Loretta. dents similar to their boarding school, St. "Mother Borgia was a visionary, but Joseph's Academy in Titusville, which she also encouraged the other sisters to sug needed to be expanded. Mother Borgia, gest ideas of their own. She wanted build however, interpreted his direction to also ing Mercyhurst to be a community project," mean "a college," not sometime later but Sister Eustace recalled, her eyes looking at now. Once convinced, she never looked years past. She also surrounded herself with back, not even when the bishop suggested smart women to carry out those ideas — he may have been misinterpreted. people like Sister Pierre Wilbert, who was One of her unique talents was knowing the worker and right hand to the leader; where to go for advice. A Jesuit priest, Sister Mary Alice Weber, who was good Thomas Gaston from Boston College, was with finances; Sister Benedicta Flecken, •
2996 - Oct. 22, Tullio Field dedicated. 1997 - Nov. 16, Water sculpture "Blessingu 1998 — Jan. 1, The $6.4 million expansion to the Named for the late mayor of Erie, Louis ]. Tullio. dedicated on back west campus. Hammermill Library opens and the Catherine Astroturf added 1998. McDonough Walker Reading Room dedicated. Serf- ~ IOI is i. iiiiionni)
Vienna in Erie debuts.
7 5TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2 0 0 1 11 Sr. Loretta Sr, Eustace ry Charles
who managed the construction; and Sister be an asset rather than a liability to their 5 lad to know that the college has brought Jane Frances Raffetto, who had a flair for husbands' careers. back the Mass of the Holy Spirit." Sister special events that would bring attention to While none of the four sisters inter Mary Charles added a word of caution, Mercyhurst for years to come. viewed were at Mercyhurst College when "She would, however, want us to watch the The four sisters remember Mother the first class opened in 1926, three of them cost of the college and be sure we take care Borgia for her humility and they agreed on came from Titusville for the cornerstone of those students who want to come here her human traits: she was intelligent, digni laying in 1925. "Once the plans were off the but can't afford it." fied, spiritual, generous, wise and practical drawing board, all of our focus was on It was clear the four sisters felt com ... and always optimistic — a trait that never Mercyhurst. Everything was Mercyhurst fortable reading Mother Borgia's mind left her. "She was not overly aggressive, but and for Mercyhurst, " said Sister Loretta. much like she had once read theirs, and she could be stem," recalls Sister Mary "Everything we talked about, all our "sizing her up" as she had done to them Charles, "and she always shared the credit money, energy and prayers went for when they were young sisters to determine and the praise." Mercyhurst. The present builds the future/ how best they could contribute to the Mother Borgia's understanding of the Mother Borgia used to tell us." Mercyhurst plan. evolving woman in a changing America What would she say about Mercyhurst Special hands had touched Mother after World War I was acute. She was not a if she saw it today? Sister Loretta was Borgia's mind and directed her accomplish feminist in the sense the word is used today, quick to reply, "I think Mother Borgia ments. It was an astonishing feat for many but she recognized the new needs of would say, 'The seed took very well and it reasons, not the least of which was her women in our society and was determined is still ripe/" Sister Eustace said, "She secret. Katherine Egan, the woman who to make a difference for them, Sister Eustace would be delighted at the growth and the built Mercyhurst and directed dozens of sis insisted. college's reputation with U.S. News & ters in getting degrees at the finest universi Katherine Egan came from humble World Report." Sister Bertha added, "She ties, didn't, until much later in life, have a beginnings and she wanted her girls, the would have voted for coeducation and the college degree herself. poor and the middle class, (and a few from new expansion plans because she was After she died in 1962, at the age of 85, money) to have an advantage in the work always thinking about the future." her close friend Sister Loretta opened the place and in society. Give them a good edu Sister Loretta agreed. "I think she trunk that contained Mother Borgia's pos cation and good social skills, imbue them would say T support it.' I feel she'd say, sessions. She lifted the lid and saw a rolled- with the best compassionate traits and the 'We'll do this, but go no further. That next up artist's sketch of the Mercyhurst rest of life will take care of itself, she used to we would concentrate on depth to make founder, a few pieces of clothing, some say. Mercyhurst the best Catholic college in the almost threadbare, and a couple of books. Mother Borgia believed that young nation/ Yes, she would say nation, not just Mother Borgia had already given women had to be prepared to take their region!" Sister Loretta insisted. everything she valued to her beloved place in the world should anything happen "She'd like the student Ambassadors Mercyhurst. That is a legacy worth preserv to their husbands. They had to be able to and the service learning program," Sister ing. • "make it on their own." They had to know Mary Charles added, "and she'd be pleased how to handle the finer things in life and with the rigorous new academic programs have polish that would reflect good breed and the fact that Mercyhurst students visit ing to give them a social edge. They also the sisters at the motherhouse — that needed that social training so they would would be important to her. She'd also be
2999 — September, eight townhouses in French- 2000 — Purchased last of the 24 original Baldwin Garden 2000 — Dec. 6, the $1.3 million Rec Center expansion Normandy architecture open at Mercyhurst-North East Apartments 45 years after first rental. opens. Includes $200,000 in new fitness equipment.
Traffic signal installed at front gates; $1 million expansion Financed by student body through a 51 million pledge at branch campus completed. made by MSC to the "Preseroing the Legacy" campaign.
12 M H U M 1 N LAKER S PORTS
^^
their heyday, Gloria Sedney, Lois Hoffman and Jean Forsythe could not have imagined that sports at Mercyhurst would become an integral part of college life for the students of 2000. During their tenures in the 60s as heads of the phys ed programs at the Hurst, these women were little recognized at the college, yet remained strongly committed to wellness, exercise and sports as fun for students, fos tering a spirit of competitiveness, and providing a valuable lesson in team work to take into the workforce. On the following pages we take a look at the evolution of Laker sports and how it has enhanced the lives of Mercyhurst graduates. It is hardly a complete story. Maybe someday some one will write a book long enough to tell it all. •
7 5 H N N I R R D I I O N 2 0 0 1 13 LAKER S PORTS Suiting up
She had a tiger by the tail and Sister Carolyn Herrmann knew better than to let go. Mercyhurst College had become coedu cational in 1969. Suddenly a major sports program was necessary to corral the abun dance of male energy that inundated the campus. It didn't take Dean Bill Garvey long after the trustees voted to approve coeduca tion to have one of his heart-to-heart talks with Sister Carolyn on the importance of starting a major sports program- Utilizing Lake Erie as a motif, "we should call ourselves the Lakers/' Dean Garvey suggested, "and we can add blue, the color of the water, to the college's green led not onlv to a successful librarv fund ed like a good idea, it was done! J J and white academic colors." That was the President's board member Larie Pintea easy part. "After that, nothing was easy. It drive, but also to coaching the college's ten nis team from 1972-1977 with Chuck Dailey, suggested rowing to Dean Garvey who was sometimes hectic, occasionally impossi took it to Sister Carolyn. It got a green light ble, often astonishing, a few times bewilder a college trustee. To their great pride, in 1976, the year Mercyhurst was celebrating and Pintea became the first crew coach, so ing, and not once or twice the source of the directed by Sister Carolyn, who pointed out most humorous events in Mercyhurst's its 50th anniversary, ^ the Dailey-Sturm there was no money to buy equipment or modem-day history!" Garvey recalls. coached team won hire a coach. "This was your idea, so you're College trustee J. Robert Baldwin had the NAIA national TENNIS the coach," Carolyn said with her magnetic built an indoor tennis court at the college in championship. smile. That's the way it was then. 1969, so tennis seemed the natural first No Mercyhurst TEAM Pintea was followed by Barry choice as a varsity sport. It wouldn't cost a team has brought McAndrew as coach. One of the first-year lot of money to field a team and Mercyhurst home a national title since, in any sport, but oarsmen, Allan Belovarac, later headed the had the newest facility in town. Only a in 1985, five Laker teams made it to the rowing program from the mid-70s to the coach was needed. national finals — baseball, men's and mid-80s. Today's head coach is Adrian A few years earlier Bob Sturm had women's soccer, ice hockey and women's Spracklen, another former oarsman for the joined the college as assistant to the presi rowing. Mercyhurst was the only college in college. dent and director of development in charge the country with those bragging rights that We discovered that it wasn't talent we of raising $750,000 for the college's first cap year. needed initially, but enthusiasm and dedica ital campaign to build a new library. Rowing began in 1970 on a shoestring tion. We rediscovered the use of athletics as Sturm had never seriously swung a with an old boat donated from Buffalo. It a catalyst. Less than the best students as tennis racket, but he quickly became a ten was a time when nothing seemed impossi freshmen, most of the oarsmen graduated nis buff. His new found game ultimately ble to accomplish at Mercyhurst. If it sound — with good grades. We had succeeded by
14 M R H U M N LAKER S PORTS
providing them with something that moti in 1999-2000, continuing the success story Twenty years later, the DeMeo name is still vated them, a demanding sport and a dedi by taking the team to the NCAA regional alive at Mercyhurst. Tony's daughter Annie cation to winning for Mercyhurst, a new playoffs in 2000. What coach Joe Cook start is a senior and Mary Kate is a freshman. found affection. ed back in the early 70s has become another Obviously, once you get Mercyhurst in your "We rowed Canisius in two weeks and success story for Mercyhurst athletes. blood, it stays there forever. lost. That same year we went to Notre A few years after coach Cook's baseball Coach Joe Kimball took over football in Dame and destroyed them/' Pintea remem team got its start, soccer started attracting 1993, and has taken the athletes to scholar bers. "The kids went wild. The nuns were participants and fans in America. ship football — big, tough, demanding foot incredulous. Those young men helped start Mercyhurst jumped on the bandwagon in ball that reflects where Mercyhurst is in a tradition of spirit and desire that will 1976, starting a men's team headed by Dave sports today. always be the Mercyhurst way." Shimpeno. During the first 10 years after coeduca Dean Garvey, a former bas The men's soccer team flourished with tion, some effort —"token" as the women ketball coach with a love of the the influx of Irish and English students would tell you back then — had been made game, didn't waste any time con coming to study at Mercyhurst. with women's sports. But the emphasis, vincing Sister Carolyn that the jyfe v John Melody '91, first played without a doubt in those early years, was next men's sport should be bas ftofJ^ on ^e team anc* ^as coached on the male students. ketball in 1971. Baseball and both men's and women's The world was changing, however, and golf were added the same year. soccer for the past four sea Mercyhurst quickly changed with it. Garvey assured Carolyn sons. Mercyhurst has College women started to see the impor that basketball would attract advanced to the NCAA play tance of athletics. The Lady Lakers soon Erie youngsters. With coach ^ offs for nine years. The men became as serious about athletics as their Dick Fox at the helm, a n^ Kind g have held the Great Lakes male counterparts and they quickly estab of excitement was brewed at Intercollegiate Athletic Conference lished the same championship qualities as Mercyhurst. When the Lakers took to the (GLIAC) title six straight years and the men. court for the first time Dec. 2,1971, at are ranked as one of the top Janet Price became "super" coach in Tech Memorial against Lockhaven Division II teams in the nation. 1970. She coached the women's first basket University, a full house was present to They finished the season with a 13- ball and volleyball teams. When softball cheer on the feisty Lakers who had a win 5-1 record this fall and went to the was started in 1974, Price was named coach ning year that first year. opening round of the NCAA playoffs. once again. But in 1972, when women's ten That first basketball team practiced at Dr. Garvey, by now the president of nis was added, Hurst alum Dave any gym in the city until the Campus Mercyhurst, decided in 1981 that football Williamson became the first man to coach a Center was built in 1977. Finally the Lakers should be next, undoubtedly the biggest women's sport at Mercyhurst. had a home court with a trendy blue rubber surprise in sports development at the col Women's volleyball was started in floor that looked better than it worked. lege. 1970, rowing in 1976, and cross country in Garvey was right: the team was mostly He hired young Tony DeMeo from 1980. home-grown kids from western Iona College to both field a team and drive Andy Roth, admissions guru, fielded Pennsylvania and Erie families were caught the male enrollment up. The Lakers won the women's first soccer team in 1987. up in the excitement of seeing their boys their first game against St. John Fisher Sept. Roth's team went to the national Final Four perform. We gave them basketball, they 5,1981. Over the years football has pro in 1988, only their second year of competi gave us a male sports identity as a coed col gressed from Division III non-scholarship to tion. lege. its present class, Division II scholarship. When the sports programs seemed to In those early years, even the mayor of DeMeo was probably the most colorful be settling down, Bob Cisek started club the city played a role. Erie Mayor Lou Tullio coach in Mercyhurst history. His quick wit hockey, promising Dr. Garvey "it won't cost helped us construct a diamond on the back endeared him to the sports media. The much" — words the president never lets campus for a baseball team. In recognition DeMeo stories are endless: The time he him forget years later. One year after the for that early support, when the college gave a pizza place the exclusive rights to program became a varsity sport (1987), • constructed its football field in 1996, it was sell pizza on campus to subsidize the foot named Tullio Field. Even Lou would have ball budget; or the time he replied to a been astounded when Astroturf was added note from Erie Mayor Tullio, a former in 1998. football coach, telling Tony which plays Baseball quickly found its glory days to call the next game. Tony sent back a hand under Mercyhurst coach Joe Jordano. drawn map of downtown Erie telling the During his decade at the Hurst from the mayor how to route traffic at Sixth and late-80s to the late-90s, the team fought its Peach streets. That ended advice from way to six post-season tournaments, includ the Mayor — for about a month! ing four NCAA appearances. DeMeo stayed for seven years and Joe Spano took over the baseball team racked up a coaching record of 41-21-2.
7 5 H N K S A D I I O N 2 0 0 1 15 AKER S PORTS
newly hired Rick Gotkin started building are the finest we can find. play together, the hockey team into a regional power So what does all this sports activity to live togeth house. Today Mercyhurst's men's hockey mean, some pre-70s alumni have asked? Is er," said the plays such high-profile colleges as Army all this necessary and what good does it do woman who is Holy Cross, Bowling Green, Rensselaer the students and the college? Is this money the men's assis Polytechnic Institute and the University of well spent? tant rowing Connecticut. Pete Russo, athletic director at coach. Coach Gotkin's teams made the ECAC Mercyhurst, pitched right in without hesita "They will playoffs 10 years in a row, made the NCAA tion. "First — and this is important for go out the front playoffs three times, and made the playoffs alums to know — our athletes, men and gates with val last season in the team's first year in the women, are held to a higher standard in ues that will Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference every area of college life, than the non-ath sustain them (MAAC) Hockey League. lete." for a lifetime. The Laker hockey team, much like the Pete leaned against an athletic center You can't put a early basketball and football teams, prac wall and pointed a finger at a group of monetary value ticed wherever they could find ice. In 1991, women athletes working out. "Athletes at on that!" a new $1.4 million ice center was built on Mercyhurst get no breaks, no special favors. Once it campus to give the program serious status. Sports is an addition to an already full plate was just a Hockey inaugurated a new level of sports of academic studies, and students take on handful — a small, unique group who wore excellence at Mercyhurst and today is the an enormous amount of pressure to be ath the Mercyhurst M with a special pride. college's only Division I sport. letes. They give a great amount of time to Today, a host of them in every comer of our Last year women's ice hockey debuted their sport, but they get a lot out of it. land remembers the special qualities and founding coach Mike Sisti's team won "They learn to be organized, to be a learned on the athletic fields at the Hurst, 24 of 30 games. This year, the Lady Laker part of a group, and, in the process, learn instilled by coaches given some simple hockey team has a demanding Division I social skills." Pete waves a hand at the instructions by Mercyhurst President schedule that includes contests against a reporter's notebook. "Give me a lot of time William Garvey. number of Ivy League schools including and I would name you hundreds of our He tells them: "Work them hard, men Princeton, Yale, Boston College and graduates who credit their involvement in and women. Yes, we want them to win, but Providence. Teams from these schools add intercollegiate sports with making the dif coach them from the heart. They deserve prestige to the name "Mercyhurst College" ference in their lives." that... and you will see them respond. For on the sports pages in all parts of the U.S. Coach Joe Kimball agreed. "I'm not young people are just waiting for a leader Perhaps there was a touch of nostalgia talking about the thrill of victory," Kimball to draw from them those qualities when women's field hockey returned in said as he erased plays from the blackboard. Americans cherish: a need to succeed, a will 1997, after a 46-year hiatus. It was the pre "I'm talking about succeeding, about to win, a chance to play the game with the mier sport at Mercyhurst in the 30s and 40s, achieving, about what happens to a young best, and the opportunity to leave their although a little less boisterous than the person when he or she leaves Mercyhurst mark on Mercyhurst history." game played today. That same year men's College for the big, tough world of making Dr. Garvey adds, "We will always and women's lacrosse played their first a living, of raising a family." remember their involvement in sports at matches. Coach Kimball has a desk drawer full Mercyhurst, how they came to learn of their In 31 years, the Lakers have grown of letters from former athletes. They aren't love for their college, for each other and the from a handful of athletes to 700, from one pro football players. They're teachers, hotel people who showed them how. That's what team to 12 men's teams (wrestling will be managers, federal agents, doctors and good competitive sports is all about, win added in the fall of lawyers, who tell him what being an athlete ning, sure, but finding out what you are all 2001), 11 teams for did for them after they graduated, the focus about!" women, and a budget it gave them, and, most importantly, the Across America in thousands of closets, approaching $2.1 mil desire to succeed that was instilled in them in hundreds of dresser drawers, tucked lion on the Erie campus. at Mercyhurst. away are countless worn, sometimes r Another quarter million Veronika Platzer, one of the newest J frayed, shirts with the logo of Mercyhurst dollars is spent at the additions this year to the Lakers' coaching College, still treasured by those who wore branch campus, staff, brings a fresh approach to the subject. them representing their school. Mercyhurst-North East, Her smile is a wrap-around influence on They remember what it meant to them to fund three men's what she has to say. "I watch them come to ... so do we remember what they meant sports and four Mercyhurst, filled with dreams, wanting to to us. women's sports. find their place in the drama unfolding on Things are more organized than they their new campus. They will all be different were 30 years ago, the facilities are first rate, Larie Pintea, one of the first Laker coaches, is a regular people when they leave four years later, contributor to Mercyhurst Magazine. the equipment is the best, and the coaches having found a way to work together, to
16 M H U R M I N TEES POTL
A MARK OF DISTINCTION
A LINK TO MERCYHURSTS PAST; THE STRENGTH OF ITS FUTURE
By Deborah Morton
.hree men. Three friends. Three pillars of man of PNC Bank. "We've served on many anniversary celebration, the three men, who the community. As individuals, their boards together, including Mercyhurst's, are not only a link to its past but the accomplishments are remarkable. As a trio, and I think we are a good fit." strength of its future, agreed to reflect on their collaborative efforts have been nothing Bill Hirt, chairman of the board and prior accomplishments and the mission to short of outstanding. retired CEO of Erie Insurance Group, move forward and enhance the quality of They are Erie residents Albert F. Duval, describes his friend, "Bud" Bracken, as a education provided by Mercyhurst. 80; Charles H. Bracken, 79; and E William blend of himself and Al Duval; Hirt being Duval, retired chairman and CEO of Hirt, 75; the three trustees emeriti at the contemplative one, Duval being the the former Hammermill Paper Co., now Mercyhurst College, upon whose guidance extemporaneous one. International Paper, was the first of the and support the college counted for some "We are a very compatible trio," Hirt threesome to apply his knowledge and three decades. noted. "It was particularly easy sitting on a expertise as an adviser at Mercyhurst. Duval served Mercyhurst for a total of board with Al. There I'd be, thinking over Since the mid-1960s, when he came on 30 years, while Hirt and Bracken each gave the problem put before us and there would board at the invitation of then-president about 15. All three retired from their posts be Al all ready with the solution/' Sister Carolyn Herrmann, Mercyhurst has in the mid-to-late 1990s and each was sub Whatever boards they sat on together, provided a vibrant academic environment sequently honored with the trustee emeri be it the United Way, the Erie Community for students eager to meet the challenges of tus title. Duval was singularly honored in Foundation or the Mercyhurst College a liberal arts education. 1993, when Mercyhurst named new resi board of trustees, there was a healthy "In the 60s," said Duval, "Mercyhurst dence halls the Duval Apartments. exchange of ideas among them but, ulti was an all-girls school and it was trying to Besides being business and community mately, their decisions came in consensus. find ways to exist and keep on growing. leaders with impeccable reputations, Duval, Their respect for each other has always Sister Carolyn had a lot of wonderful ideas. Hirt and Bracken are close friends. Now, as been abundantly apparent, as has the She was a very dynamic leader. She was the they savor the autumn of their years and respect they have elicited from others. one who thought of going coed, which was veer off in varying directions of retirement, There are those college insiders who the single event I remember to really each man is clear that the thread binding revere the threesome in symbolic terms as change the school. It had been considered 'a them is their love of the Erie community. "once the brain trust" of the institution. In ladies' place.' It changed into a school that "I think the three of us are linked by more explicit language, however, it is their became a little bit of everything." our feelings of responsibility to the commu practical vision that has brought quality The 1970s brought the advent of athlet nity," said Bracken, past chairman of the results to Mercyhurst. ics to the campus in a big way, Duval noted. former Marine Bank and retired vice chair As the college embarks on its 75th "Tennis was the first major sport and •
7 5 H N N I R R D I I O N 2 0 0 1 17 Mercyhurst had a lot of success in those lenges facing Mercyhurst will be to one day Mercyhurst has the reputation of being early days," he said. find Garvey's successor. responsive to the civic, economic, intellect Today Mercyhurst offers a full menu of "It's almost impossible to think of ual and cultural growth of the Erie commu collegiate sports, from football to hockey to someone who could outdo him," Hirt said. nity. soccer, and the Lakers' facilities are top "But I am sure every effort will be made to "It's unusual to have a college of drawer. continue down the path Mercyhurst has Mercyhurst's size do so much for its com But the singular accomplishment of found so successful under Dr. Garvey's munity," said Bracken. which he is most proud, Duval said, is serv leadership." For instance, the Mary D'Angelo ing as chairman of the committee responsi To that end, Hirt credited the current Performing Arts Center provides a broad ble for selecting Dr. William P. Garvey as administration with the inauguration of a variety of cultural opportunities for the the successor to Marion L. Shane, the first capital campaign to raise $20 million for a community while the Mercyhurst Civic lay president of the college. new academic building, renovations at Institute plays a valuable role in community "I am proud of that selection because Zum Hall and Old Main, and to enhance an revitalization. Dr. Garvey has been so unique and so suc endowment that has grown from $80,000 in As men who have rigorously stirred cessful," Duval said. 1980 to more than $12 million in 2000. the community pot for decades, how diffi Bracken, meanwhile, declined Sister "Every school is a product of its time," cult is it now to sit back and let it simmer? Carolyn's first invitation to sit on the Duval said. In a rapidly changing informa "I never look back," said Duval, who Mercyhurst board because of other pressing tion society, the pressures on administration retired gradually from his professional and obligations, but he couldn't escape her per and faculty to keep current and retool skills civic commitments, relinquishing one board sistence. is formidable and investing in those position at a time; Mercyhurst being one of "Sister Carolyn kept after me," said changes will be of paramount importance the last. "I feel there is a time to get out and Bracken, who eventually joined the board in in the future. give young people the chance to take over." the late 1970s. "It was very important to her In retrospect, one of the more ambi Bracken couldn't agree more. "When I to have lay people on the board and to tious goals achieved under the collective made the decision to retire, that was it," he reach out to the community." watchful eye of Duval, Hirt and Bracken said. What made it easier was knowing the As admiring of Sister Carolyn's legacy was the movement to North East 10 years younger people waiting in the wings had as he is, Bracken heralded Garvey, now in ago. been part of a successful team and would, his 21st year as president of Mercyhurst, as The establishment of a branch campus no doubt, continue to achieve. "the spark plug" for driving the college to there, though it may have been considered "To be successful, I think you have to higher ground in terms of academic reputa risky at the time, was undertaken in accor have vision," he said. "But you have to be tion, aesthetic presence and continued dance with a prudent financial plan and humble enough to not think you can do it growth and prosperity. with the support of the North East commu all on your own. You have to be willing to The growth and expansion of the col nity, acknowledged Bracken, who served on give the authority to others and believe in lege, now ranked as one of the top liberal the board's finance and audit committees. their ability." arts colleges in the North, is evidence of "I've probably been the more conserva And could the third of this threesome Garvey's inspiring leadership. In the past tive one," he said. "Being in the banking possibly disagree? Not a chance. two decades, he has overseen the develop business, I was always concerned that the Although Hirt remains chairman of ment of more than 70 percent of the changes were sound and that financially the Erie Insurance, he said when he retired as Mercyhurst campus. college could afford to make them. And I'm CEO he left knowing the management team Garvey is unparalleled in his ability to proud to say they have a very healthy he had helped cultivate was "the finest." sustain loyalty, Duval noted, and the conti financial situation today and I expect that He left Mercyhurst with similar sentiments. nuity of his administrative staff, a core will continue." "People know they are valued at group that has been with him some 20 Indeed, the college celebrated the Mercyhurst, and I believe the team of peo years, has led to accomplishments that "burning"of the North East mortgage in ple working together there will be success might not otherwise have been reached. 1999 by paying off the facility 18 months ful in meeting the school's future goals," The physical plant, for instance, is ahead of schedule. Hirt said. "And that's not just rhetoric. I* something of an artistic progression, The branch campus functions as a jun think the school is in great shape and it has painstakingly undertaken to achieve that ior college featuring one- and two-year a great future." quintessential college setting. The campus is degree programs, said Duval, who served Ditto: Bracken. nestled on a picturesque hillside with Tudor as vice chairman of the board of trustees Ditto: Duval. • Gothic educational buildings and a com during the planning phase. While manding view of the city of Erie and Lake Mercyhurst-North East is meeting the edu Erie. cational needs of students interested in Deborah Morton, a free-lance writer, was an award- "To me," said Hirt, "the campus is such associate degrees, it also has resulted in a winning journalist with the Erie Daily Times for 25 an important part of college life and, at number of students transferring to the main years. Her next trustee spotlight will cover the Mercyhurst, it has become even more beau campus in pursuit of four-year programs, tenures of senior lay trustees Charles Dailey, Jane Theuerkauf Atty. William Sennett and James Zum. tiful over the years with the new construc he added. tion and landscaping." Besides its challenging liberal arts cur Not surprisingly said Hirt, who served riculum, its capable and committed faculty, as a chairman of the board of trustees under its superior facilities, beautiful campuses, Garvey, one of the greatest future chal dedicated students and generous alumni,
18 M R H U R M G I N THE GATES An intriguing part of Mercyhurst history By Gary Bukozvski
or half a century now, Mercyhurst stu A sensational murder trial followed. dents and alums have found a special Thaw's mother, a strong-willed dowager magic as they enter the college through the who was active in the church and philan famous gates. Twenty feet high, made of thropic causes in Pittsburgh, dedicated her puddled iron and weighing 15 tons, the self and her checkbook to her son's defense. gates were designed in England and made She had strenuously opposed his marriage in France in 1923 for the Harry K. Thaw to Evelyn, who had come from a poor family. estate in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Thaw described her son as "an The gates were designed in the French average young man having a chivalrous Renaissance style and came with stone pil nature," who was being persecuted by a lars on either side that supported two cabal of Stanford White's influential friends. miniature iron pedestals with globes. When The first trial ended in a hung jury. The lighted these globes created a striking pic second ended in Thaw being sent to a state ture of elegance and dignity for those who hospital for the criminally insane. He was approached Lyndhurst, the multimillion released in 1915. dollar Thaw estate. Harry Thaw divorced Evelyn but con But the stately appearance of the gates tinued his eccentric and often sensational belies their association with one of the most life. He died in 1947 and is buried in the infamous crimes of the 20th century. Thaw family plot in Pittsburgh. In 1955, the Ever hear of Stanford White — White-Nesbit-Thaw story was made into a Bishop John Mark Gannon officiates at the movie, "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing." America's foremost architect at the turn of blessing of the Gates the century? May 9,1950 Valued at $150,000 some 30 years ago, How about Harry K. Thaw — eccentric the Mercyhurst gates were headed for the Pittsburgh millionaire who committed the architect, then in his 50s and at the pinnacle scrap heap in 1950 when a housing project "murder of the century77 in 1906? of his career. doomed the elegant Thaw estate to demoli And, of course, there's Evelyn Nesbit — White was an exuberant, jovial, power tion. the "Marilyn Monroe" of the early 1900s ful, artistically gifted man from an elegant Fortunately for Mercyhurst, Brandon and the leading character in the movie, Boston background. He had become widely Smith, the architect for the college' s Little "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing." respected for his ornate style of architecture Theatre and Weber Hall, became aware of The Thaws were one of Pittsburgh's based on classical precedents. He was the gates' availability and informed Mother most aristocratic families. William Thaw, excessively fond of good food, good wine, Borgia who acted quickly and purchased Harry's father, had amassed a fortune in good friends and good women. them for a modest cost. The entrance to the canals, railroads and related enterprises. Years later, Harry Thaw became college had been designed by the Rev. When he died in 1889, Harry inherited a involved with Evelyn and later married her, William Sullivan and the gates would be fortune of $3 million, plus valuable coke- but he became obsessed with her previous the perfect piece to augment the entrance. producing properties. relationship with White. As the gates were being reconditioned Short, bespectacled and unimpressive One hot summer's night, June 25,1906, by Erie's Althof's Iron Works, a message
. in appearance, young Harry was an eccen Harry and Evelyn were watching a per was found on one of the inside pieces. tric and a playboy He attended Harvard formance of "Ma'mzelle Champagne" at Scrawled in chalk were the words dated (although not graduating), made frequent Madison Square Garden, which Stanford June 15,1923: "Bon jour aux Americans," a European jaunts and gave elaborate and White had designed in 1891, while he was a message apparently intended for the expensive dinner parties, including one in partner in the influential architectural firm Thaws. Paris where 100 actresses were invited. of McKim, Mead & White. Despite their association with a tem In 1901, Harry Thaw became infatuat The couple saw White sitting alone at a pestuous past, the Mercyhurst gates today ed with Evelyn Nesbit, a popular model table on the roof garden. When the per are the signature landmark of Mercyhurst and Gibson Girl living in New York City, formance was over, Harry lagged behind, College, providing a stately entrance to a but originally from Pittsburgh. She was walked over to Stanford's table, and in a thriving campus. • strikingly beautiful, and at the young age of jealous rage, pulled a revolver from his coat 16, long before she would meet Thaw, pocket and fired three bullets into White's Gary Bukowski is vice president of institutional Evelyn had attracted the attention of head, so close that the victim's face was advancement at the college and a member of the first four-year class of men at Mercyhurst. Stanford White, a prominent New York City blackened by the powder. He died instantly.
1 5 T H N N I R R I O N 2 0 0 1 19 Remember when ... "The Cllbe" ByM™Jmy
When I was working with Sister tion. The news media loved it at night as a I didn't have Carolyn on the college's award-winning backdrop for filming their 6 and 11 o'clock a lot of political golden-anniversary campaign, "Fifty Years weather. Dean Garvey hated it, and I sus savvy yet, but I of Class/' Me did I think I'd still be at pect, thought that the creator of the monster was smart enough Mercyhurst 25 years later and working on should be gone along with it. to know that my the 75th anniversary. When he became president four years cube was headed But here I am. A quarter of a century later, the cube was predictably the first thing for the scrap heap as soon as the guard older and a whole lot wiser, but once again to go. All things considered, not as pre changed at Mercyhurst. I was right. faced with creating new signage for the dictable was my appointment to his cabinet. About a year ago, I mentioned to the entrance of the college during the anniver It was not, however, without mention of "the president that I wanted to write a Remember sary year. cube" and telling me that it would mark the When about "the cube." He told me, "That's For certain, I am not going to make the last time I did anything without checking not anything to be proud of, and in fact, I same mistake twice. with him first. would think you would like to forget it. It If there is one thing I have learned work The cube was meant to go at the tip of was not one of your finest moments." ing with Dr. Garvey for the past 21 years, it is the boulevard, where the MC hedges are Maybe not, but 25 years later, my cube that he is a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist. today. When it was ready to be installed, is part of Mercyhurst history and every once For also being a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, much to our surprise, there was no electricity. in a while, when reminiscing about their he is as conservative as they come. I was young and hadn't thought about that early days at the college, veteran faculty like For anyone who knows him, he is a key element. So after spending a tidy sum, Igor Stalsky and Barry McAndrew will bring "meat-and-potato" man and a brick-and- we were stuck with finding a less-than-satis- up "the cube" at morning coffee in the facul mortar president. He will go down in factory place for it. The choices were slim to ty dining room. Mercyhurst history for a great many accom none, and the 50th anniversary video was to While digging through the archives a plishments. And history will also know him be shot the next day using the new sign as few months ago, looking for old pictures to for his bricks that had their beginning in the closer. capture the early days of the college for the Garvey Park, then around the upper circle, Harold George told us that the only 75th anniversary, I came upon "the cube" more recently around the lampposts on the place there was electricity on the front of the picture with Bill Shelley's son posing with a college boulevard, and just a few weeks ago campus was midway up the boulevard, football in his "I've got class" T-shirt. around the flowering magnolia tree by the where Frank Shroeck used to light his 12- Earleen Glaser, the archivist, saw me Queen's Chapel. foot-tall nativity scene each Christmas. looking at it and gasped, "What is that?" We have to hand it to him, they are And that is where "the cube" landed, Sharon Sisco was with me and said, "The classy. without the help of any shrubbery the likes Cube! I rememberit . That was funny." Twenty-five years ago, bricks were out of which the current president is known for I thought, "I bet a lot of people remem of our league, or at least an idea whose time planting to soften or camouflage anything ber my cube, maybe not affectionately, but had not yet come. We needed something to ugly — like a gas well, grease trap, or, the certainly they remember it." replace the eyesore middle-of-the-boulevard latest being the 21-foot poles on either side of So I thought I'd write about it in this sign that certainly didn't befit Ferdinand the gate houses. They are a sore thumb to be anniversary issue of the magazine, although Durang's architecture. sure, but somehow they "will be hidden." I am sure the president will feel seeing it is When he was a young dean, the now Regardless, they are well worth the traffic like having the bad penny reappear. president had a rather pedestrian-looking signal in front of the gates. I don't mean to irritate him — if s just sign put there that did its job to welcome The cube didn't have a chance at my way of admitting to my less-than-perfect people to the college. Some 30 Mercyhurst. It was contemporary and judgment while remembering the only part years later, you wouldn't find it trendy, bright and bold, but it was beautiful of the 50th anniversary that lacked a touch pi within 10 feet of his campus. His at night. No one, however, thought it was class. I'm sure the faculty will be relieved to tastes have changed greatly. "well worth it." know that the new front sign, which is the Thaf s how I feel about the Maybe I understood the cube, because senior class gift this anniversary year, will infamous 5 foot x 5 foot four- like it, I look better at night. And most cer not be made out of illuminated Plexiglas. It sided illuminated sign, done in tainly, my colleagues will tell you, I do my will be limestone or granite. the college's new blue, green and best work at night. So did my cube. Its white With my luck in anniversary signs, white colors that replaced it in squatty dimensions and metal edges disap however, the trick will be producing a sign 1976. To my embarrassment, I peared at dusk. All you saw was the then- that looks like it belongs at Mercyhurst and
__,'-'--"*"- have to admit I was behind its new MC logo in blue and green, which also not at a cemetery! • creation. It is not something that I would has bitten the dust 30 years later. I used to even consider today. My tastes have think, "if only we could bring it out at night" Mary Daly was director of public relations dur changed, too. ... because even those who hated it during ing "the cube" fiasco. After having her wings It is the story of "the cube," as the facul the day, had to admit, it was striking at dark. clipped, she decided to join the establishment and ty came to call it and the one thing they have All except "Garv," who was as passion is now vice president of public affairs. never let me forget. It had sounded like a ate about his dislike of it as he was about good idea (on paper), and it did attract atten- his love of Erie ethnic politics.
20 M R H U R M G N OST OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION
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1926, the year Mercyhurst was founded, the average income was $1,518; the typical home cost $4,850; and total expenses for a resident student at Mercyhurst were $770, with tuition costing only $150. In the intervening decades, the cost of a college education — like virtually everything ! else — has steadily increased. Alumni of the college who graduated as recently as 1990, when total expenses for a resident student were $10,370, are no doubt startled to learn i that the cost of a Mercyhurst education today is $20,000 a year. The reasons for this "quantum leap" in the cost of a high-quality education at a private college are explored and explained in the insightful article that follows. Written by Dr. Andrew Roth, who has been affiliated with the college for almost three decades, the piece demonstrates why a Mercyhurst education is still one of the best bargains around. •
7 5 H N N I R D I I O N 2 0 0 1 21 Why does a Mercyhurst College education cost $20,000? By Andrew Roth, Ph.D.
- .Y JLercyhurst students and their families schools in the northeastern United States. efits of college life — friends, pleasant sur do not need the National Commission on Second, based on 1999-2000 school year roundings and an active social life — resi the Cost of Higher Education to tell them data (the last for which complete data is dent students receive a furnished room that the cost of a college education is available), of the 19 colleges ranked in the with all utilities — heat, water, gas, electrici increasing at a rate greater than increases in top tier of U.S. News & World Report's rat ty and Internet access. the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Nor do ings of Northern Liberal Arts Colleges, They receive 20 meals per week in the they need the College Board to tell them Mercyhurst is the third least expensive. college dining hall, access to medical care, that each year the cost of a college educa Third, the college's tuition, fees and including physician consultations and limit tion consumes a larger proportion of their room and board charges of $18,585 repre ed prescription drugs. Students have access household income. sent only 85.3 percent of the $21,799 aver to both academic and personal counselors, Like all other colleges and universities, age price of the top tier institutions. including psychological counseling from Mercyhurst has been caught in a seemingly Although it might only represent 85 licensed practitioners. endless spiral of tuition, fees and room and cents on the dollar students pay at other Recreationally students spend their board increases. Since the 1989-1990 school colleges, Mercyhurst's total cost of $18,585 days in an idyllic campus setting more akin year, the price of tuition has increased 78.3 per year is still a hefty sum. What benefits to a park than a work environment. On percent and the total cost of attendance 79.2 do Mercyhurst students and their families campus, students have available a seeming percent — annual average increases of 7.8 receive for their tuition, fees and room and ly endless mix of cultural activities, specta percent and 7.9 percent respectively During board? tor sports and movies. In addition, there are the same period, the CPI grew at an annual Actually they receive quite a bit. It physical fitness facilities, including a new rate of only 3.4 percent. might be iUuminating to briefly review the state-of-the-art student fitness facility that Although such numbers are daunting, benefits students receive for their payments. opened in December 2000. fully comprehending their implications Economists divide the benefits of education Last, and most importantly students requires understanding several important into short-term consumption benefits — the have access to a college education, the facts. First, compared to other colleges in its immediate benefits of college life — and the region's most technologically sophisticated region, Mercyhurst is one of the least long-term economic benefits of an education. library and a highly qualified faculty work expensive and most affordable private In addition to all of the immediate ben- ing in up-to-date facilities. Economically, a college education still Prices at Peer Institutions is the best investment a young person can make. According to the Center for Post-sec College Tuition and Fees Room and Board Total ondary Education Opportunity, in 1997 a 1 Susquehanna College $19,670 $5,550 $25,220 college graduate with only a bachelor of 2 Stonehill College 16,336 7,852 24,188 arts degree earned $40,695 as compared to a 3 Elizabethtown College 18,150 5,380 23,530 high school graduate's $21,680 — almost 4 St. Anselm College 17,800 6,520 24,320 twice as much. 5 LeMoyne College 14,980 6,320 21,300 6 Lebanon Valley College 17,260 5,490 22,750 The center's data also suggests that 7 Regis College 16,680 7,870 24,550 over the course of their working lives, 1997 8 Grove City College 7,126 4,048 11,174 college graduates will earn an average of 9 Kings College 15,910 6,620 22,530 $12.60 for every dollar they invested in their 10 Messiah College 15,096 5,580 20,676 education. Not quite as spectacular as the 11 St. Vincent College 14,8? S 4,998 19,823 recently burst dot.com investment bubble's 12 Lycoming College 17,030 4,770 21,800 rate of return, but still, a more certain and 13 Rosemont College 14,795 7,030 21,825 hard-to-beat return on investment. 14 Cedar Crest College 17,110 6,215 23,325 The indisputable benefits of a college 15 Roger Williams College 17,220 7,770 24,990 16 York College 6,580 5,050 11,630 education aside, students and their families 17 Merrimack College 15,710 7,500 23,210 still ask, "What is it about colleges that 18 Colby-Sawyer College 18,318 6,890 25,208 causes their costs to increase faster than the 19 Marymount College 14,555 7,585 22,140 general rate of inflation?" "Why the differ Average 15,534 6,265 21,799 ence?" "Why did the Consumer Price Index (CPI) only increase at an annual rate of 3.44 Mercyhurst College 13,479 5,106 18,585 since 1989, but Mercyhurst College's costs Mercyhurst percent increased at an average annual rate of 7.9 of average 86.8 percent 81.5 percent 85.3 percent percent?"
22 M R H U R MAG Z I N E Broadly speaking, these questions have household goods and sendees. It implicitly On the one hand, the college could A) three interrelated answers. First, although assumes that the general rate of inflation is increase prices at a greater rate than it cur the CPI is an interesting statistic, it has very represented by the equation Changes in rently does. It could then invest the surplus little to do with the inflationary tendencies Price • Changes in Wages minus Changes in income in more faculty and technology. The unique to higher education. Productivity. Increases in productivity com resultant lower student-to-faculty ratio will Second, Mercyhurst College's costs, like pensate for the increased price (costs) of all increase the college's ratings and raise the those at all high-quality private institutions, other factors (raw materials, facilities, perceived quality of its educational services. are driven by a mandate for excellence. finance charges, etc.). The higher prices, however, might cause Finally, as a Mercy college, guided by Typically, and somewhat simplistically, students and their families to enroll else the spirit of Mercy of its founders, the Sisters then, this equation says that if wages where. of Mercy, Mercyhurst remains exquisitely increase 5 percent and productivity increas sensitive to the need to maintain access for es 2.5 percent, then prices will only increase all students, especially those with limited 2.5 percent. Something very similar hap resources with which to pay for a quality, pened in the American economy throughout private education. the middle and late 1990s. Although nonacademic wage increases Higher education and inflation were in the 5,6, and 7 percent range, tech nology-driven increases in productivity in During the period 1989-1990 to 1999-2000, the 3 to 5 percent range enabled the econo the total cost of a Mercyhurst education my as a whole to limit inflation (the net increased from $10,370 to $18,585, or 79.2 impact of changes in wages minus changes percent over the 10-year interval — an aver in productivity) to 3.5 percent, plus or minus age annual increase of 7.92 percent. Most of a fractional point or two. these increases occurred in the early 1990s. It is often said that education at all lev Like all colleges and universities, els is a labor-intense industry. Everyone Mercyhurst has struggled to contain price understands that the lower the student-to- increases and has lately begun to meet with faculty ratio, the higher the quality of educa success. From 1994-1995 to 1999-2000, costs tional services the institution provides. One increased from $14,513 to $18,585, or 28.1 of the key measures of institutional quality percent — an average annual increase of 5.6 used by U.S. News & World Report in its percent. widely consulted ratings of colleges and During this time, the rate of increases universities is the student-to-faculty ratio. decreased by almost 30 percent. Still, even a The lower that ratio, the higher an 5.6 percent annual increase is greater than institution's rating. As a result, Mercyhurst the CPI's 3.4 percent annual rate of increase. College, in particular, and higher education, Why?
Tuition, Fees, Room and Board Charges On the other hand, Mercyhurst could Item 1989/90 1994/95 1999/00 % change % change % change 10-year B) increase productivity by increasing stu 89 to 94 94 to 99 89 to 99 average dent-to-faculty ratios and driving down Tuition $7,100 $9,810 $12,660 38.2 % 29.1 % 78.3 % 7.8 % costs and prices. One positive would result. Room $1,375 $2,025 $2,553 47.3% 26.1 % 85.7% 8.6 % Prices would be lower. Two negatives, how Board $1,500 $2,025 $2,553 35.0 % 26.1 % 70.2 % 7.0 % ever, quickly follow. Required Fees $395 $653 $819 65.3 % 25.4 % 107.3 % 10.7 % Increased student-to-faculty ratios Total $10,370 $14,513 $18,585 40.0 % 28.1 % 79.2 % 7.9 % would result in lower ratings and a percep Consumer tion of decreased institutional quality. The Price Index* 124 166.6 34.4 % 3.44' perceived decrease in quality would result in decreased demand for a Mercyhurst edu *(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) cation and a subsequent decrease in enroll ment revenue. in general, has been caught in a wages ver As Cornell University economist If the college does A, then enrollment Ronald Ehrenberg notes in 'Tuition Rising: sus technology whammy. The college's mas decreases; if it does B, then enrollment Why College Costs So Much" (Harvard sive investment in technology has not been decreases. What's Mercyhurst to do? University Press, 2000), and Charles able to offset the increases in wages and the Clotfelter describes in "Buying the Best: cost of other supplies. Cost Escalation in Elite Higher Education" As suggested by the formula discussed Mandate for excellence (Princeton University Press, 1996), the CPI is above, the result has been an increase in Each year, during the budget planning an inadequate measure of higher education prices (costs) because the increase in wages process, the college wrestles with the cost- inflation. and technology investments has not been versus-quality dilemma. The finance The CPI tracks the changes in prices for offset by an increase in productivity. It is a department, the president's cabinet, the a hypothetical shopping basket of typical classic dilemma. president and the board of trustees •
7 5 H N N I R R D I O N 2 0 0 1 23 examine multiple variables. Institutional Expenditures raises beyond inflation, has resulted in total Internally the finance office estimates faculty wages increasing from $2,873,041 the cost of the college's supplies — every Percentage (including fringe benefits) in 1989 to Item of Budget thing from natural gas and electricity to $5,257,275 (including fringe benefits) in mousepads and dorm furniture. These pro Instruction/Academic Support 30.7 % 1999, almost doubling the college's invest jections are scrutinized within the context of Financial Aid 20.1 % ment in instruction. the college's various components' budget Auxiliary Services 11.5 % A bit less than a third of this increase is assumptions about projected enrollment Institutional Support 9.5 % accounted for by the 18.8 percent increase in and revenue. Maintenance 9.9 % Debt Service 6.3 % the number of full-time faculty during the Externally the two most important Student Services 6.4 % period, but the bulk results from variables are a family's ability to pay and Athletics 4.3 % Mercyhurst's explicit policy to recruit better the prices charged by other colleges and Other 1.3 % and better faculty to meet the needs of bet ter and better students. universities. It is critical that any price Institutional support (general administra increases neither outstrip the students' and tion and facilities) and maintenance The increasing proportion of individual their families' ability to pay as determined accounted for 9.5 percent and 9.9 percent faculty members with the Ph.D. (a total of by the financial aid office, nor damage respectively These three areas — instruction 58 this year) in their discipline attests to the Mercyhurst's position as one of the most and academic support, institutional/facili overall faculty's increased quality, as does affordable private colleges in the northeast- ties support and facilities maintenance — the caliber of institutions from which they em United States. are the major cost engines of the mandate have earned their degrees. Faculty members The mandate for excellence undergirds for excellence. have recently joined Mercyhurst from the University of Chicago, England's all of these considerations. Guided by its Any college is only as good as its facul Cambridge University Arizona State mission statement and the Strategic Vision ty and students. Since 1989, Mercyhurst's University and the University of Toronto. (2001-2005) planning document, Mercyhurst enrollment has increased from 2,145 to College is committed to excellence. In addi approximately 3,225 in the fall of 2000 — The average faculty salary (including tion to this philosophical commitment to a 50.3 percent growth rate. The size of its fringe benefits) has dramatically increased excellence, there are very practical reasons entering first-year class has grown from 409 from $33,800 in 1989 to $52,052 in 1999, a 54 why Mercyhurst cannot compromise on in 1989 to 586 in 2000 — an increase of 43.3 percent increase, or an annual average excellence. percent. increase of 5.4 percent. Moreover, It is impossible to cut the college's In the same period, retention (the per Mercyhurst faculty salaries have historically prices back to the levels charged by many centage of students who return to the col been low, but in the late 1980s and early public institutions. Since Mercyhurst lacks lege year-after-year) has increased from 1990s the board of trustees set out to raise these institutions' public subsidies, to match approximately 75 percent to 85 percent. the average faculty salary to the 60th per their prices, it would have to reduce the Most significantly not only is the college's centile of AAUP Baccalaureate II institu quality of its academic offerings. enrollment bigger, it is much better. The tions. As Elizabeth Duffy and Margaret average SAT of the entering students has In the late 1990s, the goal was raised to Goldberg point out in "Crafting a Class: increased from 975 in 1989 to almost 1060 increase faculty salaries between the 75th College Admissions and Financial Aid, in 2000, and the college has a stated goal of and 80th percentile of AAUP Baccalaureate 1955-1994" (Princeton University Press, reaching SAT scores of 1100 by 2005. II institutions. The reason was simple — 1998), such a strategy invariably starts a col Similarly, the size of the faculty high-quality faculty command better wages. lege on the path to decline. During the peri increased from 85 full-time faculty in 1989 High-quality students demand high-quality od they studied, those institutions that to 101 in 1999 to 118 in 2000-2001. This faculty. Hence, if Mercyhurst is to attract either built or maintained a reputation for growth, in addition to significant annual faculty of the caliber required by high-quali- excellence, flourished; those that cut quality and prices in hopes of short-term gains fal Faculty Salary Comparison tered, and, in some cases, closed. Mercyhurst, then, must provide the Item 89/90 99/00 Percentage 10-year best possible education it can in order to Change Average justify the charges the economics of higher Salaries without education impose upon it. The price of that fringe benefits $2,338,262 $4,313,830 84.5 % 8.4 % excellence can be found in examining how the college spends the tuition and fees it Fringe benefits $534,779 $943,445 76.4 % 7.6 % collects. Salaries with From 1997 to 1999, instructional fringe benefits $2,873,041 $5,257,275 83.0 % 8.3 % expenses and academic support accounted for 30.75 percent of the college's budget, fol Number of Faculty 85 101 18.8 % 1.9 % lowed closely by 20.1 percent of the budget Average Faculty expended on student financial assistance. Salary with More than 50 percent of the college's budg Fringe Benefits $33,800 $52,052 54.0 % 5.4 % et is accounted for by these two categories. Average Faculty Salary without Fringe Benefits $27,509 $42,711 55.3 % 5.5 %
24 M R H U R M I N ty students, it must raise faculty wages to imately $700,000 to build. competitive levels of highly ranked institu In addition, the college invested anoth tions. er $600,000 in a new relational database High-quality students not only administrative system, which costs approxi demand high-quality faculty, they also mately $100,000 annually to maintain. The demand high-quality facilities. Mercyhurst's college also budgets over a quarter million physical expansion since 1985 is breathtak dollars per year to support its technological ing — not only in the new, state-of-the-art infrastructure. Including annual upgrades facilities now available to Mercyhurst stu to science laboratories, other academic facil dents and their families, but also in the ities and equipment, and computer hard price tag associated with those facilities. ware and software in departmental budg In major facility expansions alone, a ets, the college's total investment in technol partial listing (since 1989) of college ogy since the late 1980s now approaches improvements includes the Briggs Annex $10 million. (1989), the Sister Carolyn Herrmann The result is a technologically state-of- Student Union (1990), the Ice Center (1991), the-art library, computers in all faculty and Mercyhurst-North East (1991), Asbury Park administrative offices (more than 250) and Nature Center (1992), the parking ramp an increasing interest in online education. In (1993), Duval and Warde apartments (1993), fall 2000, 76 courses on campus were being Catherine McAuley Adult Education Center taught by a combination of traditional class (1994), Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts room and online instruction. In September Center (1996), Tullio Field (1996), additions 2000, WMCE, the college's FM radio station, to the Campus Center (1996 and 2000), the went global via the college's Web site. remodeled Hammermill Library (1997), DanceSpace (1997) and the purchase of 16 of the former Baldwin Gardens Apartment Cost of access and a new maintenance building was con buildings, all of which have added 20 acres While driven by market forces to pur structed at the cost of another $1 million. to the campus and extended the college's sue excellence, Mercyhurst College has not Besides excellent programs in law eastern boundary to Wayne Street. forgotten its roots. Founded by the Sisters of enforcement, culinary arts and nursing, Mercy, whose spirit and values infuse all Mercyhurst-North East's mission is to serve New improvements to campus facili that the college is and ought to be, those students who cannot afford or who ties are continuous (e.g., the new $1.2 mil Mercyhurst seeks to serve all who need might not qualify for admission to lion addition to the recreation center), caus education, not just the "best and the bright Mercyhurst College. For these reasons, it ing an Erie Times-News columnist to est." charges a highly subsidized tuition of recently remark, "Construction never seems approximately $7,800, or 40 percent less to end on the Mercyhurst campus."All of In recognition of that mission, the col than the tuition at the Erie campus of these acquisitions, additions, renovations, lege spent $1.5 million in 1991 to buy St. Mercyhurst College. and new construction have cost in excess of Mary's Seminary in North East, Pa., to $40 million. found an opportunity college. In addition to Opportunity, however, is not limited to the start-up costs associated with Mercyhurst-North East. In order to ensure Several of the projects were funded that a Mercyhurst College education through the generosity of the college's bene Mercyhurst-North East, the college has remains accessible to all potential students, factors; e.g., die Mary D'Angelo Performing since spent $5 million to upgrade and the college awarded $8.8 million of its own Arts Center ($4 million) and the renovated expand that campus and its facilities. funds in financial aid in 1999-2000. That library's addition ($4 million) were built In fall 2000, new science laboratories, a amount has increased to approximately debt-free. Most of the progress on campus, new bookstore and a completely remodeled however, has been paid for from the col rear entrance — costing a total of $1 million $10,650,000 in academic 2000-2001, more lege's budget. — were constructed. In the past several than quadrupling that of 1989, when the years, townhouses were added, a softball, In 1998, 6.3 percent and, in 1999, 6 per college's financial aid budget was a mere baseball and a soccer complex was built cent of the college's budget was consumed $2,078,000. • by debt service to cover the almost $29 mil lion of long-term debt the college incurred Financial Aid Comparison to build the facilities demanded by the 1989/90 1994/95 1999/00 % change % change % change 10-year mandate for excellence. 89 to 94 94 to 99 89 to 99 Average Similarly, in the age of cyberspace, a college of distinction must be technological Financial Aid Budget $2,078,000 $4,299,564 $8,800,000 106.9 % 104.7 % 323.5 % 32.3 % ly first rate. In 1980, outside of the science and math departments, there were exactly Number of zero computers on the Mercyhurst campus. Recipients 1,021 1,219 1,527 19.4 % 25.3 % 49.6 % 5% In 1999, Mercyhurst is a fully networked campus, with Internet access in all of its Average $2,035 $3,527 $5,764 buildings, including residence halls and stu Award 73.3% 63.4 % 183.2 % 18.3 % dent apartments. That network cost approx Note: Number of recipients and average award are for institutional financial aid only. Data does not include loans or federal or state student assistance.
7 5 H A N N I R A R D I I 0 N 2 0 0 1 25 Since the college's enrollment has also Regardless of how it's analyzed, how Mercyhurst will continue to deliver an out grown during the same period, a large por ever, the reality is that since 1989 financial standing education at the least possible tion of the financial aid budget's growth has aid has increased — and increased dramati price. Not the cheapest price, but the lowest resulted from the need to serve more stu cally. possible price, the most frugal price, in dents. Nonetheless, individual students Increased financial aid not only results order to remain both one of the highest have benefited from the college's overall from the college's commitment to remain rated and most affordable private colleges success and the increased size of its finan ing affordable. The combined pressure of a in its region and in the country. cial aid budget. buyer's market, the college's desire for bet It is no small challenge, but one we In 1989, the average financial aid ter students and an entitlement culture have must — and will — overcome, for failure is award from institutional sources was combined to force Mercyhurst to spend not an option. approximately $2,035. In 1999, the size of more and more precious financial aid dol the average award was $5,764, or a 183 per lars on merit awards. cent increase over the period, which is an Parents, some of whom can well afford Dr. Andrew Roth has been affiliated with Mercyhurst average annual increase of approximately to pay for their children's education, feel College for 27 years as a tenured faculty member and 18 percent. entitled to financial aid and now bargain senior administrator. A recognized expert in higher During the same period, it will be with the financial aid office for the best pos education enrollment management and financial recalled that tuition increased 7.83 percent, sible deal. In the short term, it's good for analysis, he holds a Ph.D. in higher education finance and public policy. Dr. Roth is a research fellow at the total costs increased 7.92 percent and the the family and, to a lesser extent, the col University of Houston Institute for Higher Education CPI increased only 3.4 percent. The average lege. Law and Governance and the author of many articles Mercyhurst financial aid award, however, Fair enough, you might say: the family in higher education journals. His recent book, increased at a rate slightly greater than gets a good deal and the college gets a qual "College Savings & the Tax Code: A New Spin on the twice the rate of tuition increase. ity student. In the long term, however, it's "Who Pays for Higher Education?' Debate" was pub One might well ask, "How can that not good for anyone, because it drives costs lished by Garland Publishing. He is the vice president be?" higher and higher in a spiral that hurts of enrollment and information systems at the college. Two factors make that possible. One, everyone. Mercyhurst will continue to try to tuition is greater than financial aid, which help everyone as much as possible, but results in comparative ratios with unequal families could help themselves, other stu denominators; i.e., apples are being com dents and the college by seeking only their Bottom line pared to oranges. fair share of financial aid. Seven percent of $7,100 (the tuition in • Like all quality private institutions, 1989) is still greater than 18 percent of Concluding observations Mercyhurst's costs are driven by a $2,035 (the average financial aid award in The answer to the title's question, then, mandate for excellence: excellent 1989). is that a Mercyhurst education costs $20,000 faculty, leading-edge computer technol Or, to put it another way, while tuition per year because the college, like all colleges ogy, first-rate physical facilities and a increased approximately $497 per year, and universities, is not immune to the laws beautiful campus setting. financial aid awards only increased $372 of economics. As a labor-intensive industry per year. The other factor is volume. More • Mercyhurst prices are 10 percent less immune to the productivity gains of tech students paying a greater tuition rate have than average costs at the 14 private nology, the college's costs will always enabled the college to help more and more colleges it most frequently competes increase at a rate greater than the rate of students afford a Mercyhurst education. with for students. general inflation. In an almost perverse irony, in fact, the • Mercyhurst prices are 15 percent below mandate for excellence's need for ever the average cost of attending one of the other 19 colleges in the top tier of greater investments in technology without northern liberal arts colleges as ranked any (or only minimal) increases in produc by U.S. News & World Report. tivity, will continue to result in rising costs far in excess of the rate of increase in the • Mercyhurst board of trustees voted CPI. Dec. 6 to increase combined tuition, Since Mercyhurst, like all high-quality room & board by 5 percent ($980), the private institutions, has no choice but to lowest percentage in 10 years. Fees not continue to pursue excellence while at the increased. same time adhering to the Sisters of Mercy's • 2001-2002 cost to attend Mercyhurst call to serve all students, it will continue to will be: be characterized by operating budgets increasingly driven by the need for more Tuition $13,940 and better facilities, faculty and financial Room & board $ 5,694 aid. Fees $ 1,050 What Mercyhurst students and their Total cost: $20,684 for resident parents can depend upon, however, is that students the college will continue to battle vigorous ly these harsh economic realities. As it has done for over 75 years, r~wW
26 MERCYHURST MAGAZINE LECTION 2000
n today's world, most people over 40 can only shake their heads at the wide spread lack of interest among young people in anything having to do with politics. People in their 40s and 50s look back with nostalgia at the unprecedented political activism of students in the 1960s and 1970s, and those old enough to remember the Great Depression and the Second World War recall a time when voting was practically a matter of survival. When three Mercyhurst students attended the 2000 Democratic Convention and a 24-year-old alum took part in the Republican Convention, they realized they were bucking a trend. What they did not realize, of course, was that this year the conven tions would set the stage for the most bitterly contested election in over 100 years. Be that as it may, what these four young people experienced at the boisterous quadrennial gatherings — as recounted in the two articles that follow — bodes well for the Republic. •
7 5 H N N I R D I T I O N 2 0 0 1 27 E LECTION 2000
GOP Convention "Mr. Republican ... n Emilio By Paul Reichart
the age of 24, Emilio Colaiacovo is con and very idealistic/' Colaiacovo said. "I've thought he knew my name, but he put his tent to advance others' political careers become a little jaundiced in the 'trenches' arm around me and said, 'Well, Emilio, while putting his own ambitions on hold. and it was refreshing to work with younger what do you think?'" — and of New York Td love to run for office/' admits the people. City Mayor Rudy Giuliani he said: "The 1998 Mercyhurst graduate. "Ideally every "They talked about the importance of a mainstream press casts him as the devil, but body wants to be the front-runner. But for moral code and less government," he he's really down to earth, a great guy." now, I'm having a lot of fun doing the added. "For me, it was like a retreat." He met media celebrities like Wolf mechanics, the behind-the-scenes work that Colaiacovo said the Bush campaign Blitzer, Judy Woodruff and Robert Novak has to be done." reached out to youth and it was nice to see and a host of political stars, including Trent This summer, that commitment took so many young people at the convention. Lott, Dick Armey, Ben Knighthorse- Colaiacovo to the Republican National "The sooner we get involved in public Campbell and Henry Kissinger. Convention at Philadelphia's Spectrum, service the better," said the former recipient Even though Bush's nomination was where he served as a page to the New York of Mercyhurst's Carpe Diem Award. clinched during the primary season, delegation and witnessed the nomination of Colaiacovo traces his own political Colaiacovo said the convention was useful George W. Bush. roots to a Democratic uncle who served as because "it helped put a lot of things in per The Clarence Center, N.Y., resident said sheriff of Erie County, N.Y. spective." his involvement in local political campaigns "I expressed an interest at an early age He points to stirring speeches by Gen. earned him the plum assignment. While — I remember going with him to see Lech Colin Powell and Sen. John McCain as working with Republican chairman Bob Walesa — but to my uncle's disappoint moments that gave the GOP direction and Davis, Erie County, N.Y., Colaiacovo met ment, I decided to become a Republican," energy for the fall campaign. state GOP boss Bill Powers, who offered he said. "People say we don't need conven him the page job. Colaiacovo doesn't regret the decision. tions, but we do need a gathering place to Powers didn't have to wait long for an Republicans are a minority in the Buffalo discuss issues and prepare for what lies answer. area. He said the party is quick to embrace ahead," he said. "Without these conven "It was cheaper than going as a visitor, young volunteers who want to get involved tions every four years I wonder about the plus I had access to the floor," said the State in grassroots organizing. existence of political parties. University of New York at Buffalo law stu "A candidate doesn't walk down the "I feel we had the right candidate," dent. "I had the unique opportunity to be a street without five people ahead of him and Colaiacovo added. "It will be interesting to fly on the wall when much of the party pol two there the day before," he added. "It see if the convention's message resonates icy was being developed." leaves you with a lot of satisfaction if it goes with the majority of the American people. A page's duties are myriad: He picked off well." "If not, we'll just have to retool and up dignitaries at the airport, painted signs This fall, Colaiacovo managed the cam start again," he added. to be used during the convention ("I don't paign of Brett Sommer, a Republican who Personally, the Republican convention believe my signs made the cut") and deliv challenged 13-term Democratic incumbent increased Colaiacovo's determination to ered reports to delegates on the floor of the John LaFalce in New York's 19th pursue a political career. Spectrum. Congressional District. "Dad was an immigrant. He's done And a page's opportunities are diverse: He felt some of the people he met in well in America and I've benefited. I consid Colaiacovo attended the "Political Fest," Philadelphia inspired his efforts in the er it my duty to give something back." which he said "was like the NFL experience Sommer campaign and his future political He said the convention was exhausting ("I for political junkies." He met many of the endeavors. averaged 45 minutes to two hours sleep a movers and shakers in the Republican Party Colaiacovo didn't talk to George W. night"), but exhilarating. and had his picture taken with former Sen. Bush at the convention, but had worked "It was worth it, and I'd do it again!" Bob Dole, former Sec. of State Henry with him in the past: "He's one of the nicest he said. "And it looks like I will in four Kissinger, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. people you'll ever want to meet." years." Allen Simpson. He did, however, spend time with Next time, though, he'd rather be a "Most of the pages were quite young New York Gov. George Pataki: "I never delegate.
28 M R H U R S MAG I N E LECTION 2000 • *Ma;iiH:fe'asi
Democratic Convention Students S-r- N experience ... V CC ase •>•>
By Paul Reichart
T He asked if he could get Wonder nee Joe Lieberman, relaxed and sporting a JLhree Mercyhurst College students rubbed through to his car and the agent said, "Son, broad grin, looked "totally out of place" elbows with America's political elite in the vice president is standing right behind when compared to more dour convention August on the floor of the Democratic me." Wood looked up and, sure enough, participants like Sen. Edward Kennedy. National Convention in Los Angeles. Gore was an arm's length away. Brown said she stood on the conven Senior Perry Wood of Franklin and Wood, a registered Republican who tion floor next to Erie congressional candi sophomores Casey Kilroy of Irwin and attended the Democratic Convention and date Marc Flitter during Lieberman's Kristen Brown of Erie were among 200 stu waited for the presidential debates to decide speech. She was also there for the last dents from 132 colleges and universities who he was going to vote for in November, night's festivities. "It was better than TV," invited to serve as DNC interns by the also saw George W. Bush during his she added. Washington Center for Internships and stopover at Erie International Airport. "I can The three students, all officers of the Academic Seminars. honestly say that I was within two feet of Mercyhurst chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the They made the trip to California with both men during the campaign," he said. national political science honor society, said the help of Mercyhurst, which chipped in Brown worked for the DNC's news attending the convention is related to their about $1,500 each to defray expenses. service, answering phones and doing a vari determination to participate in the political "There's no way any of us could have ety of other chores. Like Kilroy and Wood, process. afforded to go without that help," Kilroy she had broad access to the convention Kilroy has been active in Democratic said. She explained that the Washington floor. "About the only place we couldn't go Party affairs and Brown worked for the Center charged $2,500 for the experience, was the podium," she said. underdog Flitter in his unsuccessful race and that didn't include air fare or living Their jobs excluded them from many against incumbent Congressman Phil expenses. convention activities, but they usually were English. Wood campaigned for a local judge The students went west a week before at the Staples Center from 7:30 a.m. to 11 at when he was still in high school and has the convention for a battery of lectures and night and managed to see a lot, too. been supportive of Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.). seminars at the University of Southern "It was a pretty exciting place to be," Despite their diverse political perspec California. Wood said. Outside the center "there were tives, they all worked to advance awareness "They told us 'We will teach you to mobs of protestors everywhere," he added. on campus. play the convention game,'" Kilroy said. The picketers were devoted to a kaleido Wood noted that neither major party The Mercyhurst trio and a pair of stu scope of issues, from the critics of campaign mounted a grassroots effort to get young dents from Gannon University were joined spending who carried signs billing them people involved in the political process, so in L.A. by Dr. David Kozak, a Gannon pro -> selves as "Billionaires for Bush (or Gore)" to Pi Sigma Alpha played a major role on fessor who served as a campaign director a group opposed to breastfeeding. campus. for the Washington Center's Campaign Inside, the center was a "little bubble "We wanted to help people make 2000 program. world," orchestrated to provide an responsible decisions," he said. When the convention began, each stu "infomercial" for the Democratic Party, As the campaign developed, the stu dent was assigned a job. Kilroy and Wood Brown said. "It was a political Disneyland," dents drew on their DNC experience to worked as talent escorts. They led featured Kilroy added. encourage others to get involved in the elec performers through the Staples Center She said one of her best memories is of tion. maze — from the VIP entrance to the dress the night President Clinton spoke. "(The convention) was a segue into ing rooms to the rehearsal stage. "We were "To listen to the man speak live is dif politics," Wood explained. Kilroy agreed. their baby sitters," Wood said. ferent than watching him on TV," she "It was the best political experience we've The night Al Gore "surprised" his said. "I cried." ever had." What a year to have been daughter after her speech, Wood was escort Wood said Clinton's "WWF-like there! • ing Stevie Wonder out of the Staples Center entrance" helped stir up the crowd. when he literally bumped into a Secret He added that vice presidential nomi Paul Reichart, a 30-year journalist, is now a free Service agent, who was blocking the way. lance writer from Edinboro, Pa.
l 5 ii N N I V A D I I O N 2 0 0 1 29 URST ARCHAEOLOGISTS DIG INTO CRIME
DETECTIVE WORK OF A DIFFERENT KIND
By Don McQuaid
"World class" is the term Time magazine uses to describe Mercyhurst's archaeology/ anthropology program in its first-ever guide to colleges, "The Best College For You," released in August. "Mercyhurst's campus may look typically collegiate — a lot of brick, a lot of trees — but its programs are not," the guide states. "This private liberal arts college in Erie, Pa., is best known for its world-class archaeology/anthropology program. Best of all, even first- year students get involved with the archaeological field research Mercyhurst conducts all over the globe." Since its inception in 1990, the Mercyhurst program is widely regarded as the best undergraduate archaeology program in the nation, regularly earning recognition in such publications as Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and National Geographic, as well as a host of scientific journals. While the program is internationally known for its archaeological excavations, it has also been achieving distinction in another, lesser-known area of scientific investigation — forensic anthropology, or the use of archaeological methods to apprehend and convict criminals. The two profiles that follow are intended to give an overview of the contributions to this intriguing endeavor. •
30 MERCYHURST MAGAZINE HURST ARCHAEOLOGISTS INTO CRIME Getting the dirt on the looters in Utah in 1985, a near-mythic felon named analyze. The soil from the baskets matched archaeology to its application in modem Earl Shumway attempted to sell a collection the soil at the crime site with such precision crime cases," Adovasio said. "To this day, if of Native American baskets to prospective that Shumway was forced to plead guilty incidents involving artifacts and sediment buyers for $20,000 in cash, a pickup truck, a and was sent to federal prison. occur anywhere in the country, they call rifle and a pound of cocaine. In 1992, the Mercyhurst Archaeological Mercyhurst. Special Agent Michael As Shumway soon discovered, the Institute was asked by the U.S. Department Hochrein, a forensic specialist for the FBI, prospective buyers were undercover law of Justice to conduct forensic sedimentology says Mercyhurst has the finest capability in enforcement officers, and he was eventually tests on artifacts suspected of being looted the United States for this kind of analysis." J arrested for looting artifacts from an archae from Polar Mesa Cave in the La Sal According to Adovasio, most people ological site under the Archaeological Mountains of eastern Utah. who call themselves forensic scholars sim Resources Protection Act (ARPA). ply don't document crime scenes the way The evidence that led to Shumway's Mercyhurst does. conviction was an incredibly detailed analy "In addition to the use of forensic sedi sis of soil particles taken from several of the mentology, we were among the first archae baskets in his possession. The analysis was ology programs in the country to use sub conducted by means of a new process surface conductivity variations to locate called forensic sedimentology. archaeological sites, and the first to employ Forensic sedimentology is an applica an automated mapping instrument called a tion of cutting-edge excavation methodolo laser Theodolite," Adovasio said. gy that was developed at the world-famous "We reasoned that if the conductivity Meadowcroft Rockshelter archaeological meter could be used to locate underground site, 37 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, Pa. archaeological sites, it could also be used to The excavation, conducted by Dr. find buried bodies — and it can," he said. James Adovasio while he was director of "When we assisted in the identification the anthropology department of the and recovery of remains in the crash of University of Pittsburgh, yielded evidence USAir Flight 427, we employed a laser of human habitation dating to 16,000 years Theodolite, which marked the first time this ago and played a major role in overthrow instrument was used to document the crash ing the prevailing theory of when the first site of a large airliner." Americans arrived in the New World. Adovasio said the reason a forensic When the history of forensic archaeolo anthropology short course conducted each gy is written, it will record that the spring at the college by Dr. Dennis Shumway case was the first time forensic Dirkmaat is attracting crime scene special sedimentology was used to convict some ists from all over the world is because it is one of looting artifacts and that the man now widely known that no one documents who oversaw the process from beginning to crime scenes as well as Mercyhurst. end was Mercyhurst's Adovasio, who now "I not only see Dr. Dirkmaat's seminars heads the college's archaeology/anthropol becoming bigger, but I see him carrying the ogy department. "It is now widely known that seminars to other places," Adovasio said. "I "In effect, we invented the field of envision specialized courses for FBI agents forensic sedimentology — the use of no one documents crime scenes because not even the Bureau can provide microsedimentology to catch criminals by this training. I also see the potential for a fingerprinting sediment," Adovasio said. as well as Mercyhurst/' major graduate program in forensic archae "In the Shumway case, the federal ology." — Dr. James Adovasio agents were 90 percent sure the baskets Asked if he sees any limits to the level came from an archaeological site on federal Tests conducted by Mercyhurst of proficiency and credibility Mercyhurst's land. They asked the Utah state geologist revealed that 12 of 18 soil samples found forensic anthropology program can attain, whether he knew anyone who could take adhering to artifacts could unequivocally be Adovasio said, "If we had documented the sediment from the baskets and link them to attributed to soils and bedrock samples O.J. Simpson crime scene, I seriously doubt the suspected sites of despoliation, and he from Polar Cave, and as a result 10 individ whether any of the issues that came up in referred them to us." uals were convicted of 18 felonies, the court could ever have been raised because Although Shumway had carefully largest successful ARPA prosecution to date. they all revolved around mishandled, mis- cleaned the baskets, Adovasio found "The technology in question has gone recorded and misdocumented evidence. enough soil under the stitches to extract and from its original application in prehistoric No, I don't see any limits." •
7 5 H N N I D I N 2 0 0 1 31 HURST ARCHAEOLOGISTS DIG INTO CRIME Dead men do tell tales
Tih e three highly unusual In the situation situations that follow are where family members factual and occurred with thought they saw bones in in the past five years: what was supposed to be a freshly dug grave, • When a small airplane Dirkmaat said, "We theo crashed in a rural part rized that someone later of Pennsylvania, the had probably dug up the three people on board bones that the family had were killed and their seen before the interment remains scattered. For and that it was, in fact, a insurance purposes, it previously used grave. We was essential to know couldn't, however, make who was piloting the an iron-clad case for that craft. But how could without the bones." that be determined? He explained, "We • As a casket was being suspect the removal was lowered into the done by shovel thereby altering the flat floor of grave, a relative of the the plot. The new casket, deceased noticed what therefore, was not appeared to be human anchored on a level sur bones in the bottom of face that caused it to turn the freshly dug grave. on its side and be Had someone else been crushed." buried there previously? In the third case, it • A coroner had doubts was Merle Wood, coroner about the identity of a for Erie County for 40 person who was cre years, who brought an mated and whose urn of ashes and bone remains were placed in fragments to Dirkmaat. an urn. Could anything The um had been recov be determined about ered from a locker at Erie the person by examin International Airport. He ing the ashes? asked if Dirkmaat could Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat tell him anything about All three situations the person in question. are typical of the chal In the nine years he has been at Mercyhurst, Dirkmaat has "From teeth and bone lenges that confront prac fragments, I concluded titioners of one of the built the largest forensic anthropology program in that it was an older male rarest of professions — and that he had not been forensic anthropology, Pennsylvania and one of the fastest growing in the nation. the victim of a criminal and which Dr. Dennis act," Dirkmaat said. Dirkmaat was called in to anthropology. He explained why. "Some Dirkmaat entered the University of solve. Since coming to Mercyhurst in 1991, experts said the son, who was not licensed, Pittsburgh as an anthropology major in Dirkmaat has been involved in approxi was flying the plane. Our investigation 1974. It was in his junior year, after taking a mately 150 such cases. proved otherwise," Dirkmaat said. "If you're course in primate anatomy and human "In the case of the plane crash, there the person flying the plane, your foot is on skeletal anatomy, that his interests came was a father, his son and a friend of the son the rudder and it would be smashed in the into sharper focus. on board," Dirkmaat explained. "Their crash. Our investigation showed that the "Dr. Adovasio needed someone to ana remains were recovered at night and put remains had been commingled — the lyze animal and human remains from into separate bags, or so we had been told." father's foot had been put in the bag with archaeology sites, and I gladly volun This piece of information led to dis the son's remains — and that the father had teered," said Dirkmaat, who earned his agreement among experts in forensic in fact been piloting the plane." bachelor's degree in anthropology from
32 M H U R M I N Pittsburgh in 1978 and his Ph.D. from there Then in November 1999, EgyptAi r in 1989. He began working as a full-time Flight 990 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off researcher with Adovasio in 1988, at the Rhode Island. "I was in charge of the foren FAST FACTS same time conducting forensic investiga sic anthropology station," Dirkmaat said. "I tions for the Allegheny County Coroner's went back in February to oversee the final Mercyhurst Archaeological Office. identification of remains." Institute Program In the nine years he has been at "I realized I had an aptitude for this Mercyhurst, Dirkmaat has built the largest profession at an early age," Dirkmaat said. forensic anthropology program in "When I was 4 years • Begun in 1990. Pennsylvania and one of the fastest grow old, I could put ing in the nation. together jigsaw puz • Headed by Dr. James Adovasio, world- "It wasn't until I came to Mercyhurst zles almost as well as renowned archaeologist. that I really started to develop the concept an adult. Then when I was 10 or 11,1 of forensic anthropology," Dirkmaat said. • Forensic anthropology program directed "With a background in both anthropology became fascinated and archaeology I began to think it would with the skeletal by Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat be valuable to determine the context in remains of animals which remains were found because it could we would find in the • Coverage in Time, Newsweek, help reveal how they got there. Very few fields, and I even tried to assemble some of National Geographic, the New York them. I also loved reading the adventures of forensic anthropologists go to the actual Times, the London Times, PBS, BBC location where remains are found, and still Sherlock Holmes." Television, and Japanese and German fewer utilize archaeological methods in the In 1992 Dirkmaat inaugurated an event public television networks. documentation and recovery of physical that would prove one of the most effective evidence." means of gaining national and even interna One of the most daunting aspects of the tional attention for Mercyhurst's forensic • Involved in archaeological research in forensic anthropologist's work is taking part program — an intensive six-day short five states and Israel, South America, in the recovery and identification of remains course in forensic anthropology, the only Ukraine and the Czech Republic. following the crash of a large airliner. short course in the world devoted exclu sively to the recovery of human remains Dirkmaat's first exposure to such catastro- • Uncovered the post holes for the phies came with the crash of USAir flight from outdoor contexts. American fort in Erie, Pa., from which 427 north of Pittsburgh in September 1994. "The seminar was originally intended "We let the officials in charge know for coroners, but it evolved to include per the city sprang, and the first Erie Indian that, in addition to helping with the identifi sonnel from law enforcement and medical dwelling ever unearthed. cation of remains, we could document the examiners' offices, as well as graduate scene with the use of a Total Station, an anthropology students," Dirkmaat said. • Participates in annual field school at electronic instrument used in the mapping "This year we had an investigator from Buckaloons, a 300-acre site in the of archaeology sites," Dirkmaat said. the Los Angeles County coroner's office, Allegheny National Forest in "Pathologists alone usually handle the eight FBI agents and two constables from Pennsylvania, with one of the greatest identification of victims, but in this case the South Africa. remains were so frag "We're getting students now from densities of Native American artifacts mentary and spread schools all over the globe, including in the Northeast. over so large an area American colleges with the biggest anthro that the process was pology programs in the country, such as the • Recovered and identified victims of extremely difficult, University of Tennessee and University of three major airliner crashes. and the forensic Arizona. These students are very impressed anthropologist's with our entire archaeology/anthropology unique skills in the program and carry back the word about • First to use an archaeological tool to identification of bone Mercyhurst to institutions around the document a major airplane crash site. fragments were world," Dirkmaat added. essential. Ultimately, "This is one of our biggest attractions • Annual forensic anthropology seminar we were able to identify 128 of the 132 vic for potential students," Adovasio said of draws coroners, law enforcement tims." Dirkmaat's work. "Everything we do here officials and students from around the involves the direct, continuous involvement Similarly, when Korean Air Flight 801 world. went down on the Pacific island of Guam in of students. Mercyhurst is known for its August of 1997, Dirkmaat assisted with the teaching mission. That doesn't just mean identification of remains. "The plane burned teaching out of a book — it means teaching • Dr. Adovasio is the federal govern on crashing, so many remains were inciner out of a lab, teaching out of experience." ment's expert witness in cases involv ated," he explained. "I was there for two ing the theft of artifacts from archaeo weeks, and the work was hampered by the Don McQuaid is a regular contributor to Mercyhurst logical sites. fact that it was the wettest August on Magazine and is editor of the college's ica- record." tion, Monday Morning.
7 5 ii A N N I V R R D I I O N 2 0 0 1 33 YEARS ON ACRES
*
f any one thing can be said with certainty about the 20th century it is that the rate of change in all things human underwent a remarkable acceleration. Mercyhurst was no exception. Throughout the past 75 years of change at the college, however, one character istic never changed — Mercyhurst retained its sense of dignity, its commitment to the lib eral arts and its faith that it should seek to become one of the nation's great colleges. It is a proud heritage and a mission unaltered: To graduate students marked by an mquiring mind, a strong heart, a sensitive spirit and a graceful elegance. Today these students are men and women professionally prepared, personally responsible and who leave The Gates with a sense of morality, civility, ethics and a relationship with a higher being. In this 75th anniversary issue of Mercyhurst Magazine, care was taken to revere the past, take pride in the even better days of the present and carve out the first steps of our future. •
34 M Y H U R M 1 N Alumni
Genevieve Mastrian Wiesen '66, Class Notes Mineral Ridge, Ohio, is a first- grade teacher at Weathersfield Local School, where she is a certified mentor for entry-year teachers, and has elementary education certification with computer science and gifted/tal ented. Genevieve has also been named a Giant Eagle Outstanding Teacher. le Fifties The Sixties Margaret Clay Scott '66, Oil City, Pa., has retired from teaching at Mary Turner '52, Erie, retired as Janet Kuss Martin '60, Pensacola, the Seventh Street Elementary the librarian at Strong Vincent Fla., retired as a professor at School. le Thirties Pensacola Junior College. High School. Rosalie Barsotti '67, McKees Pauline O'Laughlin Hergenrother Rocks, Pa., is vice president of (Mary) Lou Dwyer Kaufman '53, Maureen Schedlin Nickel '61, Port '38, Smethport, Pa., delivered the St. Lucie, Fla., retired as an human resources for Childrens commencement address at the Albuquerque, N. M., recently elementary school teacher of 32 Hospital in Pittsburgh. Smethport Area High School's retired as a vice president for AK years in 1996. She was president graduation June 9, 2000. She Industrial Electric Products Inc., of the Port St. Lucie, Fla., Lorraine Condino Walley '68, retired from the faculty at and is a juried member of the Newcomer's Club in 1998-1999. Aliquippa, Pa., was recently hon Smethport in 1980. Arizona Designer Craftsmen. Her current interests include ored in the Catholic Schools doing theme and gourmet parties, Golden Apple Awards for Marjorie Williams Laughlin, M.D. travel and volunteer police work. Teachers in Pittsburgh. She has '55, Simi Valley, Calif., has been been teaching for 30 years; 28 of recertified by the American Board those at Quigley Catholic High of Emergency Medicine for 1999. Cecilia Petrini Slat '62, Allison Park, Pa., retired as head of the School, where she is the English She is a life fellow of the Department Chair. American College of Emergency English department at the Greater Physicians. She has 11 grand Works Academy. children. Nancy Nesta Mistro '64, Mount Barbara Coole Ayres '56, Lebanon, Pa., retired from teaching Strykersville, N.Y., retired from in the Carlynton School District. Children's Hospital of Buffalo, where she was a clinical dietitian. Joan Pletnik McArdle '64, The Forties Houston, Texas, is celebrating the Dr. Judith Roseberry Kohl '56, 10th anniversary of her company, Bytes 'n Grins, the product of a Loretta Crowley Bauer '45, Hobe Lewiston, N.Y., retired as curricu unique way to use the art and Sound, Fla., a retired teacher, also lum director from St. Mary creativity that she learned at retired as a broker from Bauer School for the Deaf. Mercyhurst, and developed as a Real Estate Inc. niche in the booming computer Delphine Dwyer Kucera '58, industry. She travels coast-to- Margaret Sullivan Polito '45, Wading River, N.Y., retired as coast attending computer and ed- planner of the Town of tech conferences promoting Cleveland, Ohio, retired as a Southampton, Long Island. pharmacy technician from "outrageously funny geek gifts." Fairview General Hospital. Kathleen Kurucz Simonyi '59, Maureen Fiedler, SL '65, Mary Margaret McLaughlin Lyndhurst, Ohio, retired Dec. 31, 1998, as a medical Hyattsville, Md., is the host of Craig '48, Indiana, Pa., retired technologist from the Cleveland "Faith Matters: Inter-faith Talk from teaching at Apollo Ridge Clinic after 25 years of service. Radio," broadcasting since High School. November 1999. She is also co- Barbara DeSantis Bates '59, editor of "Rome Has Spoken" Arnold, Md., retired from teaching (N.Y.: Crossroad, 1998). at Ann Arundel County School. Maryce Jaeger Cunningham '65, It's news to us Nancy Prenatt '59, Centerville, Pa., Westport, Conn., was promoted to corporate director, access Class notes will be accepted retired from teaching at Union through Feb. 16 for the Alumni in City area schools after a 39-year programming for Cablevision, the News section of "Mercyhurst responsible for all access career. programming in Connecticut, Today." Publication date: March Mary Anne Koss Flynn '60, 2001. New York, Long Island and New Albuquerque, N.M., received the Jersey. Submit news and photos to: Crystal Apple Educator award for Tammy Roche Gandolfo '76 1988, and has since retired as a Mercyhurst College teacher from the Career Mary Berloffa Temple '66, Erie, 501 E 38th SL Enrichment Center. achieved her CFRE (Certified Erie, Pa. 16546 Fund-raising Executive) designa tion in November 1999.
7 5 H N N I R R N 2 0 0 1 35 Helen Cozma Deneselya '68, Dennis Kuhn '74, Port Orange, Dianna Vacco '76, Boynton Beach, The Law Office of Michael John Uniontown, Ohio, now works for Fla., received his master's degree Fla., is a ninth-grade teacher at Phillips '80, Everett, Wash., was One Step Incorporated. in classical studies from the Spanish River High School. appointed to the Western University of Florida in 1998. Conference of Teamsters Legal Linda (Moof) Salem Burtis '68, He continues to teach Latin and Cathryn Bern '77, Albany, N.Y, is Services Panel in October 1999. Delmar, N.Y., received her mas coach tennis at Atlantic High the legislative analyst to the Specializing in helping working ter's degree in social work in School. minority leader of the New York families throushout Washington 1971 from Rutgers University, State Senate. state, the firm also extends the then went on for 10 years as a Peter Quell '74, Manassas, Va., is a AFL-CIO's "Union Privilege" master level tennis professional police officer for Fairfax County, Ken Link '77, Erie, is a child case program to all union members and nationally ranked player. The Va. counselor for Harborcreek Youth and its families. mother of two daughters who Services. graduated from college in spring Joseph Salamon '74, Lakeview, Jeanine Baas Stark '81, West 2000, she has just been appointed N.Y., is in business development Jodyda Sanchez Swaim '77, West Milford, N.J., is the school nurse director of New York Shines, a for the Mayfair Sales Company. Olive, Mich., has been promoted for Macopin Middle School. public education program that to director of food safety, compli teaches homeowners the value of Elizabeth Hicks Riley '75, ance, auditing and implementa Kevin Downey '81, Corry, Pa., is solar energy. Rochester, N.Y., is director of tion for Sara Lee Meat pursuing his Ph.D. at SUNY human resources for Monroe Manufacturing North, with Buffalo. Mary Anne Zeitler Hannibal '68, County, N.Y. responsibility for nine manufac Indiana, Pa., received her Ph.D. turing plants, 20 co-packer plants Christine Palota Bowler '81, Erie, from SUNY Buffalo. She is now Michael Diaco '76, Erie, is human and all suppliers. received her master's degree from assistant professor of education at resource and quality assurance Edinboro University in Indiana University of manager of manufacturing opera Michael Schweingruber '77, Erie, December 1999. Pennsylvania. tions for Babcock Borsig Power. is a residential life instructor for the Gertrude A. Barber Center. Ernest Zmyslinski '81, Westerly, Mary Ann Bosco Pomerleau '69, John Gaughan, Esq. '76, R.L, is finance director for the Santa Monica, Calif., received a Pittsburgh, Pa., joined the law Darlene Keith Weber '78, City of Warwick, a position he doctorate in educational technology firm of Rothman Gordon Galloway, Ohio, is the e-mail took in August 1999. from Pepperdine University in Foreman & Groudine, PC. He administrator and test coordinator June 2000. practices in the areas of litigation for Grange Insurance. Vicki Culmer Lavrinc '82, Erie, is and workers' compensation. a first-grade teacher at Carolyn Funari Radkowski '69, Joseph Pacinelli '78, Erie, has been Jefferson Elementary School. Greensburg, Pa., is a department William Glinka '76, Colchester, promoted to director of human specialist for Jo-Ann Fabrics. Vt., is the assistant regional direc resources at Johnson Controls Inc. Ruth Gabreski '82, Littleton, tor, intelligence, with the U.S. Colo., attended graduate school in Karen Schreckengost Leahy '69, Immigration Service. Robert Dell '79, Honolulu, Hawaii, landscape design at Radcliffe Harrisburg, Pa., is a statistician is a credit union examiner for the College, and is the nursery and coordinator for the workforce Elisa Guida '76, Erie, owner and National Credit Administration. manager at The Gardens in information center for the jewelry designer for La Petite Highlands Ranch. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Jewelers, launched a company Nancy Knobloch Heller '79, Erie, Department of Labor and Web site:
36 M R H I R M Z I N Nancy Mantell '83, Geneva, N.Y, William A. Nesdore '87, Bradley Fairfield '90, Erie, is Mark Mattis '92, Erie, has been is the office manager for the Columbus, Ohio, has opened his director of development for the awarded the designation of Ontario City Probation own CPA firm in Columbus. Diocese of Erie - Catholic Chartered Retirement Plan Department. Charities. Specialist by the College for Christopher Renouf '87, Venice, Financial Planning. He serves as Mark Sutkoff '83, Tampa, Fla., Fla., received his Ed.D. degree in David Ridgeway '90, Erie, is sales director of pension services for was recently promoted to the rank educational leadership and is now manager for Western-Southern Evans Capital Management. of police detective with the the principal of Ashton Life Insurance Company in Erie. Tampa Police Department, where Elementary School in Sarasota, Tammy Wasko Moletz '92, he has been employed for nearly Fla. Kelly Booth Koster '91, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Pa., has advanced to 14 years. He is assigned to the Texas, is in senior sales at the associate status with Burt Hill criminal investigation division, Naomi Romanchok '87, Westin Stonebriar. Kosar Rittleman Associates. She major crimes bureau. Annandale, Va., is a certified is an interior designer specializing meeting professional for the Food Ken Floss '91, Maineville, Ohio, is in project management. Patricia Clark Lightner '84, Erie, Allergy Network in Fairfax, Va. a sales force automation specialist is the director of the Pennsylvania for Nextel Communications. Timothy Pratt '92, Chicago, 111., is Board of Parole. Capt. Matthew J. Shim, USAF, a member of the Chicago Board BSC '87, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Shelly VanAlstine O'Hara '91, St. of Trade and an independent floor Michael Hetrick '85, Macomb, 111., is public health flight deputy Marys, Pa., is the Elk County trader in the Dow Jones Stock was recently accepted into the commander for the U.S. Air Force victim witness coordinator Index Futures pit. His wife, Kara MBA program at Western Illinois in Hawaii, assigned to the 15th through CAPSEA Inc. Krista Pratt '93, is an oncology University, concentrating in Aeromedical-Dental Squadron. nurse at the new Northwestern finance and marketing. Wendy Smith Wood '91, Memorial Hospital facility. Christopher Cuzzola '88, Erie, Lakewood, Colo., is assistant Patricia Leuschen '85, Erie, is received his master's degree in general manager and director of Ann Salandra Boyd '92, Amherst, director of marketing for Life secondary school administration sales at The Golden Hotel where N.Y, completed her graduate Services Development from Edinboro University in her husband, Derek Wood '92, is studies, receiving an MBA in Corporation. December 1999. the general manager. marketing from SUNY Buffalo in 1997. Grace Ricci '85, Rochester, N.Y., Richard Dyer, CPA '88, Akron, Michelle Calvert '92, Hermitage, was named Recognized Young Ohio, has been promoted to Pa., completed her master's Julie Theiss '92, Erie, is the library Dietitian of the Year in New York president and chief executive degree in early childhood media specialist at East High state in 1998. She joined officer of Telantis Group education in December 1999 at School in Erie. Novartis Nutrition in 1999 as an Corporation. Slippery Rock University. She is account specialist. currently working for the Clifford Clark '93, Emporium, Pa., Renee Hamilton Finnecy '88, Erie, Hermitage School District is director of industrial authority Steve Seymour '85, North East, received her master's degree from teaching seventh- and eighth- for the County of Cameron. Pa., is manager of human Penn State in the spring of 1999, grade gifted, seventh-grade lan resources for Country Fair Inc. in and was recently promoted to guage arts and eighth-grade earth Thomas Craig '93, Boynton Beach, Erie. territory sales manager for Mead science. Michelle has also been Fla., is manager and owner of Johnson Nutritionals, a Bristol- accepted at Westminster College Gulfstream Pharmacy where his Denise Charles Brumale '86, Myers Squibb Company. to pursue another master's wife, Erin Strucker Craig '93, Baldwinsville, N.Y, teaches degree/certificate for administra is a pharmacist as well as an sixth-grade English at Emerson J. Tom Parilla '88, Erie, is a stock tion/secondary principal in the owner. Dillon Middle School in Phoenix, broker with NatCity Investments summer of 2000. N.Y Inc. He has achieved the "Circle Lisa Joy Finch '93, Pittsburgh, Pa., of Excellence," NatCity's top tier, Angela Cardillo '92, Mars, Pa., is a reading specialist for the Laura DeCarolis Caldwell '86, as well as the "All American teaches second grade for the reading clinic at Duquesne Waterford, Pa., has begun a new Team" for American Funds, and Seneca Valley School District and University School of Education. position in the Fort LeBoeuf the "Golden Scale Council" for is currently working on her School District as the confidential Putnam Funds. master's degree in elementary Mark Korcinsky '93, Beaver, Pa., secretary for the district's school math/science. teaches biology and physics at psychologist. Paul Mocho '89, Cleveland, Ohio, Beaver Area High School. He was promoted to director of Jill Horvath Crable '92, Erie, also received a direct commission Maureen Casey Renouf '86, corporate sales at the CAVS/Gund is a teacher at Wayne Middle in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Venice, Fla., recently received her Arena Company. School. second lieutenant in the Medical degree in children's literature and Service Corps. is now involved in writing short Kristin Graff Graham '92, Berea, stories for children. Ohio, is assistant administrator of Amy Byrne Kovacs '93, Ashburn, a 250-bed skilled nursing and Va., is a technical recruiter for Cynthia Ferraro Smithtro '86, rehabilitation center in Cleveland. Emerald Solutions in Vienna, Va. Brockway, Pa., is a computer She recently received the New Husband Stephen Kovacs Jr. '93, graphic artist for Courier Express Professional Award, given to is director of product integrations Publishing. individuals who have made a for TPN Register Inc. in significant contribution to not-for- Rockville, Md. Lisa DeMichele Decker '87, profit services for the aging and Coventry, Conn., received her have been practicing in the field Michael Dukovich '93, Bowie, master's degree in educational for fewer than five years. Md., is a special agent with the psychology in May 1997. Drug Enforcement Administration. Sean Hennessy '92, Webster, N.Y, Narda Gatgen-Smigel '87, le Nineties is a regional manager for Mary Medure '93, Pittsburgh, Pa., Jamestown, N.Y, has been pro Steadman and Garger in is a field event manager for moted to director of clinical Ronald Blum Jr. '90, Seekonk, Rochester, N.Y. Marconi Communications. services for New Directions. Mass., is a sales manager for Olive Garden Restaurants. Andres Krahe '92, received his Alesia Miller Kotek '93, Erie, David Hewett '87, Erie, is a master's degree in education in works inside sales at Niagara partner with McGill, Power, Bell Karen Cascio Chow '90, secondary school administration Plastics. Her husband, & Associates, LLP, certified Harrisburg, N.C., is a recovery from Edinboro University in Patrick Kotek '94, is the office public accountants and business room nurse at NorthEast Medical December 1999. supervisor for H. Jack Langer consultants. Center in Concord, N.C., and is Plumbing, Heating & Air serving as secretary for the Conditioning. Jeffrey Lorei '87, Erie, is a senior regional branch of the American market development representative Society of Peri-Anesthesia for the Liofol Company. Nurses.
7 5 H N N I V R R D I N 2 0 0 1 37 Andrew Moir '93, Ontario, Canada, Kristine DeMarinis '95, Ashburn, Brenda Moschel '96, Jefferson recently graduated with an MBA Va., is a third-grade teacher for Hills, Pa., is an athletic trainer at from Wilfrid Laurier University Dranesville Elementary School in the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation in Ontario and is working with Herndon, Va. Center. the Bank of Montreal as a portfolio manager, commercial Angela Deutsch-Plonski '95, Nina Napoleone Cantoni '96, Las banking. Cranberry Township, Pa., is an Vegas, Nev., is a distributor repre interior designer for Foreman sentative for Desert Spine Inc., Joseph Pasquerell '93, Pembroke Architects Engineers. where she works in management Pines, Fla., accepted a position as and distribution of spinal and senior systems analyst for the Christopher Fiely '95, Titusville, medical implants. ordinary life division of Assurant Pa., is a new age beverage Group in Miami. consultant for McGregor David Perry '96, Washington, Pa. Beverage. was ordained a deacon on Liesl Cramer Valone '94, North July 9. 2000, at St. Elizabeth East, Pa., is a learning support Mary Ann Francis '95, Erie, is a Church in Smethport, Pa. He will math teacher and department geology teacher at Mercyhurst be ordained a priest in fall 2001. chair at Harborcreek High School. Preparatory School. Mary Zelenka Dudenhoefer '96, Heidi Hess-Winiecki '94, Erie, was Thomas R. Gierszal '95, Westlake, Erie, is a music teacher for the recently honored at the annual Ohio, was recently appointed to Millcreek Township School Erie Drug & Alcohol Coalitions' the board of governors of the District. luncheon for five years of service Propeller Club of the United in the drug and alcohol field and States/Port of Cleveland, which Charles Andres '97, Pittsburgh, five years at Community House serves to promote, further and Pa., is pursuing his MFA in Jennifer Root '97, Rochester Hills, Inc. She is a treatment specialist support the American merchant production, technology and Mich., is an assistant athletic in the Halfway House Program. marine and aids the development management at Carnegie Mellon trainer for Merrimack College. of river, Great Lakes and harbor University. Amy Kindling-Basco '94, improvements. He works as an Lynn Savidge '97, Germantown, Painesville, Ohio, is an athletic agent engaged in international Michael Baldzicki '97, Dublin, Md., is benefits manager for the trainer with Lake Hospital Great Lakes trade for the Ohio, is territory business manager Grand Hyatt Washington. Systems. Columbus Shipping Agency. for Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical, specializing in Gretchen Storm Mohney '97, Grace Bruno '94, Devils Lake, David Gourley '95, New Canton, the diabetes/cardiovascular area. Mattawan, Mich., graduated in N.D., graduated from Suffolk Va., is a lead special education May 1999 from Western University in Boston in 1998 with teacher at Gold Hill Elementary Linda Bieber '97, Erie, has Michigan University with her a master's degree in higher in the Buckingham School received her master's degree in master's degree in athletic education administration. She is District. library science from Clarion training. She is currently director of continuing University. She is currently the employed at K Valley Orthopedics education/IVN for Lake Region Mary Hockett '95, Erie, is a special librarian for Roosevelt Middle Sports Medicine Clinic in State College. education teacher with the Erie School in Erie. Kalamazoo as aquatics director School District. and athletic trainer, and has David McQuillen '94, Atlanta, Ga., Ian Crockford '97, Bloomfield recently co-produced the video, is chief marketing officer for E- Melissa Irwin Terhart '95, Hills, Mich., is a software sales "Golfing With Back Pain." Invest.com, an Internet Cleveland, Ohio, is a business representative for Compuware investment services firm. He education teacher in the Corporation in Manhattan, N.Y. Trade Warner '97, Titusville, Pa., earned his MBA in information Richmond Heights School District. technology strategy from the City is attending graduate school at Celine DeBruyne Field '97, Oley, Slipper}' Rock University. University Business School of Toby Johnson '95, Titusville, Pa., Pa., is a special education teacher London. is a patrolman with the Titusville sixth-grade learning support in Corey Zieziula '97, Erie, has been Police Department and his wife, the Reading Public Schools. named account manager for Kimberly Rudolph Murphy '94, Norma Telega Johnson '95, is a Dodsworth Trucking, a subsidiary Willoughby, Ohio, is a financial first-grade teacher at Main Street Sondra Dorward '97, Harrisburg, of T. W.L. planner for McDonald Investment. Elementary School. Pa., is a full-time physician assistant graduate student at Sarah Allen '98, Fairview Park, Jennifer Swik Morrison '94, Sooyoung Kang Smeltz '95, Lockhaven University. Ohio, is the activities coordinator Warren, Pa., received her master's Greensboro, N.C., earned her for the American Retirement degree in special education from master's degree in piano perform Joanne Fischer '97, Manassas, Va., Corporation. Edinboro University, December ance from the University of North was promoted to branch manager 1999. Carolina at Greensboro in May of Chevy Chase Bank in Manassas. Holly Gettemy Kitchen '98, Erie, 2000. is a teacher at the Gertrude A. Shannon Hagan Glennon '97, Barber Center, where her hus Karen Universal Schrader '95, Edinboro, Pa., is a seventh-grade band, Thomas Kitchen '97, is a Dunkirk, N.Y., received national science teacher at Iroquois High behavioral therapist. board certification in the area of School, Erie. early adolescence mathematics in Nikki Milano Crouch '98, November 1999. Jason Kociban '97, Wheeling, Kittredge, 111., is the ballet W.Va., is a field chemist for mistress of the St. Paul's School Erin Cinderich '96, Monaca, Pa., Safety Kleen. Ballet Company, known as one of earned a second bachelor's degree the most prestigious high schools in chemical engineering from the Mindi McDowell '97, Pittsburgh, in the nation. University of Pittsburgh. She is a Pa., is pursuing a master's degree quality engineer for the Valspar in professional writing at Tara Piekanski Maras '98, Erie, is Corporation in Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University. She a Web editor and communications is employed as a writer/editor specialist in the corporate Kristen Dahn '96, Waterford, Pa., with the CERT Coordination communications department at is a teacher in the Fort LeBoeuf Center at the Software Erie Insurance Group. School District. Engineering Institute. Rebecca Revell '98, Dallas, Texas, Britt Hughson Schumacher '96, Vanessa Pappalardo '97, is a quality/test engineer for Erie, received her master's degree Lakewood, Ohio, is the assistant Regency Systems Inc. in in counseling from Edinboro nurse manager on HSO - Internal Addison, Texas, where she tests University in December 1999. Medicine/Telemetry at the Internet banking applications and Cleveland Clinic Foundation. interactive voice recognition systems.
38 M R H U R M / I N Jeffrey Scott '98, Medina, Ohio, is Georgann Butterfield '00, Christine Spikes '00, Painesville, Denise Charles Brumale '86 and her a physical therapist assistant in Petersburg, W.Va., is employed as Ohio, is pursuing her master's husband, Richard, have two the sports department of Medina gifted diagnostician for Grant degree at Case Western Reserve children: Jillian, born in 1997, General Hospital. County Schools in Petersburg. University in Cleveland. and Anthony, born in 1999. Carm Beardsley '99, North East, Eric Clark '00, Lakewood, N.Y., Carrie Tappe '00, Glen Burnie, Timothy Latimer '86 and his wife, Pa., is a customer service has been appointed software Md., is assistant manager at Jody, a daughter, Ashley Mae, representative for Ferrell Gas. developer for Libera Inc. in Farmers Bank of Maryland in born March 20, 1998. Jamestown, N.Y., where he Annapolis, Md. Heather Bentley '99, Edinboro, previously did an internship. Nina Serrins Krats '86 a daughter, Pa., is a teacher at Villa Maria Alexandra T\irkas '00, Moon Hannah Elyse, born July 26, 1999. Academy in Erie. Jennifer Davidson '00, Erie, is the Township, Pa., is a family and visual merchandiser for the John consumer sciences teacher at Christie Marie Smith Henry '86 and Duane Churchill '99, Erie, is the V. Schultz Co., where she is Quaker Valley High School. her husband, Daniel, a son, Mark materials manager for Carlisle responsible for visually Joseph, born April 9, 2000. Engineered Products. coordinating showrooms in two Kathleen Wargo '00, Winston- Erie locations and two Cleveland Salem, N.C., is teaching fourth Lisa DeMichele Decker '87 and her Denise Dombkowski Borsuk '99, stores. grade in Davie County, N.C. husband, Frank, a daughter, St. Petersburg, Fla., is a financial Madison Nicole, born Oct. 17, services professional for Mass Kelli Davis '00, Erie, is a pension Fedor Zakusilo '00, Erie, is a 1997. She joins big brother Mutual in Tampa. analyst for Hubbard Bert Karle regional manager (Eastern Nathan Christopher, born Aug. Weber Inc. Europe) for Reed Manufacturing 22, 1994. Natasha Edwards '99, Marshfield, Co. Mass., has been promoted to a Danielle DeMatteo '00, Reston, Kathleen McNamee '87 has two research scientist for Genome Va., is teaching third-grade children: Brianna, born April 30, Therapeutic in Waltham, Mass. emotional support at Fairfax 1993, and Ricky, born Oct. 18, County Public Schools. Births 1997. Elizabeth Jubeck '99, Pittsburgh, Pa., is a management associate Kimberly Falvo '00, Pittsburgh, Lynn Niederlander Weiss '76, a Christopher Renouf '87 and his for National City Bank. Pa., is a sales associate with the daughter, Gretchen, born June 12, wife, Maureen (Casey) '86, are University of Pittsburgh Medical 1999. the parents of 5-year-old Shawn Brian Lanahan '99, North East, Center Health Plan. and 3-year-old Haylee. Pa., is the basketball manager for Bernadine Borinski Vojtko '80 and Family First Sports Park in Erie. Amy Fridrich '00, Bay Village, her husband, Lawrence, are the Richard Dyer '88 and his wife, Ohio, is an art teacher at proud parents of Michael Patricia (Dunlavey), a son, Ryan Loveland '99, Chicago, 111., Renwood Elementary School in Lawrence, born June 8, 1989, and Matthew Stephen, born July 6, works for the sales department of Parma, Ohio. Jonathan Matthew, born May 29, 1996. the Hyatt Regency at O'Hare 1993. Airport. Danielle Greenburg '00, Renee Hamilton Finnecy '88 and Hermitage, Pa., is attending Ernest Zmyslinski '81 and his wife, her husband, William, a son, Robert Merski '99, Erie, is graduate school at the University Rose Marie (Forget) '82, are the Liam, born July 29, 1999. His 2- teaching theology at Cathedral of Pittsburgh for library science. proud parents of Angela Rose, year-old brother, Logan, also wel Prep while working on a master's born April 30, 1993, and comes him. degree in special education at Jeremy Hartung '00, El Paso, Michelle Marie, born Oct. 28, Mercyhurst. Texas, is serving as a second 1995. Catherine Wlodek Erickson '89 and lieutenant in a Patriot Missile her husband, Erick, a daughter, Robert Plutto, Jr. '99, Alexandria, battalion. Air Defense Artillery, Jane Cassano Culmer '83 and her Catelynn Ashley, born April 7, Va., was promoted to front desk at Ft. Bliss. husband, Todd, a daughter, Halle, 2000. manager at the Crystal City born April 5, 1999. She joins big Gateway Marriott in Washington, Scott Koskoski '00, Moon brothers Garrett, 15, and Ben, 12. Lisa Dumi Fahrenholz '89 and her D.C. Township, Pa., is the assistant husband, Thomas, a daughter, director of sports information and Debra Conley Brown '83 and her Allison Ella, born April 7, 2000. Kimberly Seaman Creese '99, marketing at Robert Morris husband, Dean, are the proud par She joins big sister Victoria Anne, Erie, is a substitute teacher in the College, Pittsburgh, where he is ents of Garrett Dean, born June 2, born April 13, 1998. Millcreek School District. pursuing a master's degree in 1993, and Gabriel Alan, born sports management. Nov. 13, 1997. Chris Mindach '89 and his wife, Jessica Stout '99, Corfu, N.Y., has Kerry (Vietmeier) '90, a son, been hired as the public relations Michelle Moser '00, Alexandria, Lisa Costello Heckman '83 and Mitchell Christopher, born April assistant at Six Flags Darien Lake Va., is a clinical dietitian for The her husband, John, a son, John 5, 2000. Theme Park. Washington House, a long-term Ronald, born Aug. 28, 2000. care facility and retirement Paul Mocho '89 and his wife, Georges van den Eshof '99, The community. Kristine Kowalski Kobella '83 and Kathleen, a daughter, Anna, born Hague, the Netherlands, is an her husband, Douglas, a daughter, July 25, 2000. She joins big intelligence analyst for Divisie Cara Paglia '00, Rockville, Md., Danielle, born Jan. 26, 1996rShe brother Peter, born Aug. 30, Recherche. works in interior design with the joins older sisters Kara and 1998. architectural firm Maleady & Mariah. Rosenburg in Montgomery Ronald Blum Jr. '90 a daughter, Village, Md. Elaine Zasada Flick '83 and her Gabrielle, born Dec. 1, 1999. She husband, Richard, a son, Adam, joins big sister, Olivia, born Jan. Michelle Pcsolyar '00, Pittsburgh, born June 14, 1996. He joins 11, 1995. Pa., is working toward her older sister Adrienne, born July master's degree in sportsmedicine 21, 1986. Karen Cascio Chow '90 and her and has a graduate assistantship husband, Henry, a son, at the University of Pittsburgh. John Berchtold '84 and his wife, Christopher, born Oct. 4, 1999. Patrice, are the proud parents of Gregory Snell '00, Camillus, NY, Logan, born March 18, 1992, and Christopher Adams, DO '91 and his is the assistant banquet manager Amanda, born Sept. 15, 1993. wife, Wendy (Morrison) 491, a for the Philadelphia Marriott West. son, Cameron Michael, born Robert Nies '85 and his wife, Jan.2, 2000. He joins big sisters, Two Thousand Rebecca Spena '00, Erie, is a social Maureen (O'Hara) '85, are the Casey Meghan, born Oct. 3, worker with Lakeshope, proud parents of Lindsey, born 1996, and Caleigh Mckenzie, Kevin Brubaker '00, Toledo, Ohio, counseling individuals with Sept. 8, 1990, and Bob Jr., born born Oct. 18, 1997. is pursuing an MBA at the mental illness. June 26, 1992. University of Toledo, and working Colleen Coneglio Danko '91 and as a staff accountant at Gilmore, Lynn Fisher Anderson '86 and her her husband, Mark, a daughter, Jasion & Mahler, LTD. husband, Kirk, a daughter, Hanna Bridget Rose, born Dec. 14, Grace, born Sept. 26, 1999. 1999.
7 5 H N N I R R D I T I O N 2 0 0 1 39 Anita Farak Jares '91 and her Sean Hennessy '92 married Kathleen Kelley '95 married Students husband, John, a daughter, Leighanne Renninger. Edward Kelley Jr. "96 on Oct. 16, Brigitte Sauers Sydney Elizabeth, born Jan. 20, 1999, in Rochester, N.Y. Jennifer Fatica 2000. Michael Goodill '92 married Julie Buczynski on May 15, 1999- Norma Telega '95 married Toby Husband of Anthony Sartini '91 and his wife, Johnson '95 on July 10, 1999, in Giovina Musi Bradley '42 Tracey, a son, Anthony Michael Ann Salandra '92 married Donald Sharon, Pa. (Bernard O. Bradley) Jr., born Aug. 21, 1999. Boyd on Oct. 3, 1998. Margaret O'Connor Foster '45 Karen Universal '95 married Philip (Ruel Foster) Wendy Smith Wood '91 and her Robert VanderWounde '92 married Schrader on Aug. 21, 1999. Marilyn Genck Newsham '56 husband, Derek Wood '92, a son, Jennifer Ochalek '96 in August, (William G. Newsham) Wyatt Sterling, born Feb. 29, 1996. Nina Napoleone '96 married Louis Christine Kaczmarek Beegan '69 2000. Cantoni on Aug. 16, 1997, at Our Amy M. Byrne '93 married Stephen Lady of Fatima Church. Mother of Maria Stahon Perkins '91 and her D. Kovacs Jr. '93 on June 19, Ann McGinnis Minnium '57 husband, Matthew, a daughter, 1999. Fellow graduates Katie Mary Zelenka '96 married Eric (Hazel McGinnis) Olivia Ann, born Jan. 16, 2000. Byrne Kelley '95, Shelli Skehan Dudenhoefer on July 10, 1999, at Rita Cappello '64 Hunter '93, Kristen Kastelic St. Marys Catholic Church in (Angeline Cappello) Joseph Devoy '92 and his wife, Nelson '93, Gina Giachetti '93, Berea, Ohio. Barbara Kosciolek '67 Karen (Eckert) '93, a son, and Patty Suk Hall '93 were (Mary Kosciolek) Eoin, born Oct. 15, 1998. part of the wedding party. Michael Baldzicki '97 married Mary Sroka Kollin '69 Leslie N. Dukes on April 29, 2000. (Ruth Sroka) Kristin Graff Graham '92 and her Mark Korcinsky '93 married Nancy Allan Belovarac '73 husband, Bryan, a son, Evan Reynolds on June 10, 2000. Celine DeBruyne '97 married (Eleanor Belovarac) Patrick, born Aug. 23, 1999. He Classmates Doug Melvin '93 and Brendon Field on June 26, 1999. Patricia Jurewicz Flynn '73 joins his sister, Megan Elizabeth, Paul Reynolds '93 were members (Rose Jurewicz) born Dec. 14, 1997. of the wedding party. Shannon Hagan '97 married Mark Karen Kolpien-Bugaj '92 Glennon on June 17, 2000, at St. (Mary Lou Kolpien) Robert VanderWoude '92 and his Erin Strucker '93 married Thomas Luke Catholic Church in Erie. Marge Wheeler Dimperio '97, sec wife, Jennifer (Ochalek) '96, a Craig '93 on July 24, 1999, in retary of law enforcement training, son, Greyson Hunter, born April Delray Beach, Fla. Wedding Thomas Kitchen '97 married Holly (Hilma Ruth Wheeler) 21, 1999. party members included Elizabeth Gettemy '98 on June 26, 1998, in Beth Koskoski '98 Strucker '94 and Kevin Schultz the Mercyhurst Grotto. (Helen B. Nagel) Pamela Jonischek Chodubski '93 '93; and Virginia Fohiot Strucker Thomas Billingsley, executive vice and her husband, Michael, a '60 is mother of the bride. Renee Masters '97 married Michael president at Mercyhurst College daughter, Emma Dawn, born R. Doody on Oct. 2, 1999. in (Kathryn Billingsley) Jan. 7, 2000. Liesl Cramer '94 married Robert Webster, N.Y. Karen Carpenedo, administrative Valone Jr. on June 10, 2000, at St. assistant, D'Angelo School of Kelly Koziarski Becker '93 and her Patrick Church in Erie. Gretchen Storm '97 married Music husband, Brian, a son, Cameron Kenneth Mohoney in November (Thelma Backels) Douglas, born May 10, 1999. He Jodi Marie Dresel '94 married Jody 1999. Kenneth Mattern, head of motorpool joins older brother, Austin Paul, David Sucharski on May 13, at Mercyhurst born Oct. 29, 1996. 2000, at St. Luke's Church in Nikki Milano '98 married Dan (Margaret Mattern) Erie. Members of the wedding Crouch on June 18,2000. Deborah Lang Redlin '93 and her party included Janell Dresel '96, Father of husband, Keith, a son, Austin Jennifer Kraus '94, David Tara Piekanski '98 married Ronald Marilyn Fregelette Detzel '50 Taylor, born Aug. 23, 2000. McQuillen '94 and Daniel Maras on Aug. 18, 2000, at St. (Raymond F. Detzel) McQuillen '95. Patrick Catholic Church in Erie. Eleanore Hertel Gamble '61 Catherine Zicarelli DeVore '94 and (John Hertel) her husband, Brian, a son, Gabriel Joy Girard '94 married Dr. Kevin Jeffrey Scott '98 married Rebecca Maureen Schedlin Nickel '61 Brian, born Sept. 16, 1999. Sullivan on Aug. 16, 1999. Sandleon June 12, 1999, in (Leo J. Schedlin) Christ the King Chapel at Sister Mary Felice Duska '64 Angela Deutsch-Plonski '95 and her Amy Kindling '94 married Frank Mercyhurst College. (Felix Duska) husband, Stephen, a son, William Basco'95 on May 1, 1999. Patricia Jurewicz Flynn '73 Stephen, born Feb. 8, 2000. Kimberly Seaman '99 married (Matthew Jurewicz) Michelle Ryan '94 married Drew Matthew Creese on June 30, Cynthia Belczyk '77 Amy Treadwell Weisensel '95 and Norris on Sept. 25, 1999. Alums 2000, at Church of the Cross (Raymond Belczyk) her husband, Stephen, a daughter, Denise Ryan '91, Heather Ryan Presbyterian Church in Erie. Julie Theiss '93 Sarah Eileen, born Aug. 24, 1999. '96 and Grace Bruno '94 were (Jack Theiss) members of the wedding party. Jamie Smith '00 married Brian Janice Hill, assistant registrar Greg Hischuck '96 and his wife, Henretta on June 24, 2000. (Edwin Kesselring) Karen (Weston) '96, a son, Blair Ruth Thompson '94 married Bryan Kurt Rader c04 William, born March 6, 1999. DeLio on March 18,2000. Jennifer Harwell '00 married (Jeffrey Rader) Classmates Erie Hauber '93 and Timothy Conway '99 on Sept. 16, John Piatko '96 and his wife, Renee Upperman '94 were 2000, in Christ the King Chapel Son of Rebecca (Dubisz) '97, a daughter, members of the wedding party. at Mercyhurst College. Frances Merry Preaux '74 Hannah Rose, born Feb. 19, 2000. (Robert Makrush) Marc Boeh '95 married Carmel Sarah Kosack, secretary, institutional Dougherty '97 on Aug. 26, 2000. advancement at Mercyhurst Deaths (Richard Ott) Weddings Ann Buziewicz '95 married Chris BurfordonSept.19, 1998. Alumni Friends of the College Lynn Fisher '86 married Kirk G. Marie M. Cieslinski Kowalik '32 Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Anderson on Sept. 26, 1998. Jacqueline Hinz '95 married Margaret Clark Filson '34 Herta Kilpatrick, Carpe Diem Douglas Shaw on Dec. 27, 1997. Helen M. Barry Heinlein '38 Society Member Jeremy Benson '88 married Vanessa Mary A. Massello Pirrello '38 Dr. Louis A. Mennini, founding Schepis on Aug. 21, 1999. Jeffrey Hutchinson '95 married Janet Eichenlaub Woodward '40 director of the D'Angelo School Leslee Gromacki on July 10, Grace Tarno Neithamer '47 of Music Robert Coneglio '90 married Beth 1999, at Mount Calvary Church LoisWhelanTylka'58 Howard Paul, former assistant Ward on June 12, 1999, at St. in Erie. Therese Taccone Wilson '62 professor of business-marketing Barnabas Church in Sagamore Kathleen Bindrim Olon '68 Hills, Ohio. Melissa Irwin '95 married Michael Stanton Myers '78 Terhart on June 3, 2000, at St. Marvin A. Walker'83 Colleen Coneglio '91 married Mark Andrew Catholic Church in Erie. Ann C. Boyle '88 Danko on May 25, 1996, at St. John A. DeDad Jr. '99 Patrick's Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
40 M H U R S M I N MERCYHURST COLLEGE PROFILE
Founded: 1926 Library holdings: 172,500. to Miller Hall. Expanded and relocated Online serials searching and public access the bookstore. Cost $1 million. Purchased Type of college: Catholic liberal arts. catalog through Web-based system. the Scouller Pool on North Lake Street. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Computer resources include 112 Cost $25,000. Purchased the 10,000- Coeducational since Feb. 3,1969. computers (Pentium and Macintosh) for square-foot National City Bank building student research; 90 can also be used for at 17 W. Main St. for the Municipal Police School colors: Blue/Green/White word processing. Training Academy. Cost: $75,000.
Motto: Carpe Diem - Seize the Opportunity Athletics: 2999 Main campus — Completed fourth • Team name: The Lakers floor of the Hammermill Library Enrollment: 3,225; 40% males; 60% females. renovation program. Spent $125,000 in 90% of freshmen live on campus; cafeteria improvements. Built a new soc • Sports: Basketball (M/W), Baseball (M), 483 adults. cer field west of the Tullio gridiron. Cross Country (M/ W), Golf (M/W), Purchased new blue, green and white Soccer (M/W), Softball (W), Tennis Freshman Class of 2004: Main campus: 586 bleachers for the Athletic Center. Installed (M/W), Volleyball (M/W), Rowing 600 additional seats on the home and visi students from 26 states and four foreign (M/W), Field'Hockey (W), Ice Hockey Countries. Mercyhurst-North East: 325 tors' sides of Tullio Field. Installed new (M/W), Lacrosse (M/W), Football (M), geothermal space HVAC system in Taylor first-year students from 11 states and one Wrestling (M) foreign country. Little Theatre. Built two additional com puter labs in Hammermill Library for Conference affiliations: NCAA Division II. Faculty: 115 full-time, of which 57% hold the teaching needs and student use. Replaced Division I in men's and women's ice all outdoor campus signage. highest degree possible in their fields. hockey Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, Eastern College Student/Faculty ratio: 17:1 Athletic Conference and the Midwest North East campus — Spent nearly Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. $1 million on improvements. Constructed Campuses: 75-acre main campus with 33 eight three-bedroom townhouses and new buildings in Erie, Pa.; 84-acre branch offices. Renovated the cafeteria. Retired • Team name for North East campus: The campus with eight buildings in North the debt on Mercyhurst-North East Nov. 5, East, Pa. Saints 1999, completing the purchase of the $1.5 million sale from the Redemptorist • Sports: BasketbaU (M/W), Baseball (M), Budget: $47 million Fathers 18 months ahead of schedule. Softball (W), Soccer (M/W), Volleyball (W) Endowment: $12 million Conference affiliations: Western New York 1998 — Installed $900,000 Astroturf on Athletic Conference and the National Tullio Field. Spent $288,000 on the Cost main campus: (Academic year 2000- Junior College Athletic Association. construction of a new Ice Center locker 2001) Tuition $12,660, Fees $819, Room and room for hockey and all field sport teams. Board $5,106. Yearly total for resident Spent $70,000 to expand the Fitness Special Recognition: students $18,585 Center and $45,000 to enhance its • Ranked among the top tier of liberal arts equipment. Added 110 parking spaces Number of 2000 graduates: 446 (Erie); 100 colleges in the North five consecutive costing $140,000 at the McAuley Lot. Mercyhurst-North East years by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Guide. 1997— Completed a $6.4 million program Number of Alumni: More than 11,000 of building and renovation. Included an • Second largest of the Mercy colleges in the automated library, a fourth floor and a Fund raising: July 1,1999, through June 30, country. gabled roof to bring the lines of 2000: $1.1 million Hammermill Library into architectural • One of a select number of colleges and harmony with the front campus. Accreditation: Middle States Association of universities across the country to receive Renovated McAuley Hall, freshman male Colleges and Secondary Schools. the prestigious Newcomen Society Award residence hall. Built two dance studios. presented for being an educational leader Created a seamless campus with fiber Undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, in the Erie community. optic connections to the computer net Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music work, giving every residence hall room Recent Developments: two connections to the Internet. Graduate degrees: Master of Science in Purchased $60,000 Steinway concert • 2000 Main campus — Constructed 9,500- grand for the Mary D'Angelo Performing Special Education, Administration of square-foot fitness center and renovated Justice and Organizational Leadership Arts Center. Installed a $35,000 35-mm the Rec Center. Cost $1.3 million. Built a projector and three-way, full-range stereo sportsmedicine addition to the athletic Two-year degree programs: Associate of speakers and surround sound in center. Cost $175,000. Purchased four performing arts center. Arts, Associate of Science through additional Baldwin Garden Apartments Mercyhurst's McAuley Division and signed agreement to buy the last four of the original apartments (Highland 2996 — Opened the $3.7 million Mary Adult programs: Comprehensive degrees, Square). Engineered the construction of a D'Angelo Performing Arts Center (825 post-baccalaureate certificates and traffic signal at the front gates. seats) to glowing reviews for its stunning graduate programs. Accelerated degree design, superb acoustics and cosmopolitan program. Teacher certification. North East campus — Built two new state- ambiance. of-the-art science labs and a new entrance 501 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16546 www. mercyhurst. edu
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