CONTACTFALL 2018 VOL. 21

STU’s First Ever Football and Marching Band Programs stu.edu CONTACT is published by the Office of Message from President Philanthropy & Communications

St. Thomas University David A. Armstrong, J.D. 16401 NW 37th Avenue Gardens, FL 33054 [email protected] Dear St. Thomas University Alumni and Friends, President This will be an exciting academic year at St. Thomas David A. Armstrong, J.D. University! As the newest member of the Bobcat family, I am looking forward to a productive and exhilarating Vice President of Philanthropy year as we strive to make further headway in realizing & Communications our vision as Miami’s leading Catholic University. Gigi Laudisio I have been entrusted with continuing the Catholic intellectual tradition, and the academic excellence of Writer/Editor this University and enriching student life. In my short Marlen Lebish time, I have gained a deep respect for the university’s Director of Communications students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I have enjoyed the beauty of this campus and the city of Miami. Art Director/Graphic Designer At STU, we are more than a university, we are a close-knit Seven45,LLC community with a mission to provide a value-based education that prepares its students for a successful life and Contributors career. The St. Thomas graduate isn’t just an alumnus, they Marlen Lebish are leaders. We graduate leaders for life. Director of Communications From the knowledge I’ve gained at STU, I can say with the utmost confidence that STU is blessed to have such amazing and supportive alumni who are invested in the University and in its future. Lorena Hidalgo Together, we are raising STU’s profile in the local community, and in the hundreds of communities Alumni Relations Director that you call home. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can. Phil De Montmollin I’m excited about STU’s future, and what it holds for us as we partner to strengthen and grow our Athletics Information Officer University. I hope you know how important you, as alumni, friends, and supporters, are to STU. None of our accomplishments, past, future and present, would be possible without you. It is an extremely dynamic time to be involved with STU. This year, I am anticipating fresh challenges Kendra Parker and opportunities for us to grow and connect as a community. Law School Communications

God Bless and Go Bobcats!

David A. Armstrong, J.D. President FALL 2018 VOL. 21 STAY CONNECTED WITH STU ON:

CONTACT is also available online at: 2 stu.edu/CONTACTnewsletter SPOTLIGHT St. Thomas University Brings Football and Marching Band to Campus On Wednesday, Aug. 29, history was made at St. Thomas University as the school announced the launch of a football team and marching band for the first time ever.

South Florida’s newest football team, the St. Thomas Bobcats, will begin practice in Spring 2019, while building the capacity to play a full season beginning in Fall 2019. The addition of the football team will be the 15th sports program at the school, which competes in the NAIA.

“We are coming off a very successful season in STU Athletics history, and I feel the addition of football is the next natural step for our athletics program,” said STU President David A. Armstrong.

By adding football and marching band, STU hopes to add upwards of 20 students for football and 10 students for the marching band that would be connected with the programs in Spring 2019. In Fall 2019, the number is expected to grow to 100 football student-athletes and 30 marching band members. The location for an on-campus football facilities, training field, and game-day field are to be determined.

The Bobcats, full-time members of The Sun Conference, will compete in the Mid-South Conference in football in The Sun Division.

Eric Ward, commissioner of the Mid-South Conference, said he was honored and excited to have St. Thomas University join as the eighth football member in the Sun Division.

“Not only will we increase our number to 23 teams in 2019, but will also add to the overall quality of the schools in the conference,” said Ward. “We expect that the STU Bobcats will be competitive quickly in the Sun Division, adding to the overall strength of the schedule across the conference. Congratulations to President Armstrong and the university on their unanimous and enthusiastic acceptance by our Council of Presidents.”

At the momentous announcement, special guests included former players: , Jason Taylor, O.J. McDuffie, , , and . Also in attendance were: Mitch Morrall and Eric Poms of the Orange Bowl Committee; Dustin Wilke, commissioner of the Sun Conference; Eric Ward, commissioner of the Mid-South Conference; and the Mayor of Miami Gardens Oliver Gilbert III.

For more information about the STU Football program, visit: www.stu.edu/football; and for more information about the Marching Band program, visit: www.stu.edu/band. CONTACT is also available online at: stu.edu/CONTACTnewsletter 3 AROUND CAMPUS Q&A With New STU President David A. Armstrong, J.D.

Tell us about how some of your prior experiences, What attracted you to St. Thomas University? how do those uniquely prepare you for this role? The weather! I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and I’ve had enough winters to last a lifetime. But, more importantly, this is a coastal city The job that most prepared me for being a president was being a head where everything is happening. Miami has great diversity, and STU has football coach. As a head football coach everybody thinks they know a great foundation to build upon. As I learned about the mission, football better than you, they think they can make better calls. And accomplishments, and needs of the university, I believed I could make that is a great way to prepare you to be a president. Having that a difference as president. The prospect of making a difference within experience has been invaluable. And, as a former athlete, I learned an institution that has such a great community footprint is what attracted from my coaches that in order to be successful, you need three things: me to STU. hard work, discipline and a positive attitude. I use those three things every single day as a president.

What is it about small, Catholic universities I’ve worked in higher education for more than 30 years, and I’ve been that appeals to you? able to either work in or supervise every single aspect of a college campus, and I’ve had phenomenal mentors and supervisors. Being I am a first generation college student, and a product of a small liberal a second-time president is very interesting because I don’t question arts Catholic college, which is where I met my wife of 27 years and myself as much as I did the first time around. I know what works, and made life-long friends. My parents taught me that education is the I know how to do it. The tough part is convincing everyone else to great equalizer and because of their hard work, I believe I received the believe in what you’re doing. best education that I could possibly get. My goal in life is to make sure that small, Catholic universities not only survive, but thrive. What are your proudest moments in your Coming to STU, what are you impressed by? career thus far? Commencement. Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing students First off, the wonderful people that work here, they are doing God’s walk across the stage and receive their hard-earned diploma. Second work in educating a very diverse student population, which is a proudest moment is the first day of school when I see students coming reflection of the real world. And I want STU to grow so that we are a onto campus. Thirdly, setting enrollment records at every school that bigger part of Miami. We have an excellent undergraduate program I’ve worked in—that’s pretty special. But in the end, the best moment that really supports students and prepares them for success and is when I see a student whose life the university has transformed leadership roles, and we’re a mission-centric institution. because they received an education. 4 AROUND CAMPUS

St. Thomas Law Delegation Aid Separated Migrant Families in Texas The humanitarian crisis caused by the separation of migrant children from their asylum-seeking parents has had an effect on everyone that has heard the heartbreaking stories.

The St. Thomas Law family answered the call, and headed to Texas to lend their much-needed expertise to assist detained and separated families. This time the effort was launched by the Immigration Law Students Association (ILSA) at St. Thomas Uni- versity, its president, Andrea Valencia, and immediate past president, Diego Sanchez ‘13. The ILSA raised their own funds with the help of generous contributions from our law school faculty members.

The group was led by St. Thomas Law professor Lauren Gilbert, who teaches constitutional law, family law, immigration law, and an immigration seminar, the team was comprised of law students, professors and mental health professionals including professor Dr. Judith Bachay ’76, program director of the St. Thomas University graduate counseling programs. In the Aftermath of Maria, Caribbean Students Create Short Story Collection STU students unveiled a rich and diverse short story collection “Stories of Resilience, Courage and Spiritual Transformation” written by Caribbean students displaced by Hurricane Maria. Nineteen students, mostly from Puerto Rico and one from the Dominican Republic, came together to share their stories of resilience and courage before, during, and after the hurricane devastated their homeland.

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, STU acted quickly to make sure students in the Caribbean could continue their studies uninterrupted and regain a sense of normalcy. Not only were the Islands left without power or infrastructure, but all businesses and institutions were closed. By taking in these displaced students, immediately in October 2017, they were able to continue their academic careers and find a safe, supportive environment to live in.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon!

Making an ‘Impact’ on Teens The third annual STU Impact summer program, funded by a $500,000 Lilly Endowment Grant, took place June 23-30. Sixteen teenagers, from South Florida high schools, talked to farmworkers and cleaned up a beach. They also learned about the en- vironment, Catholic social teachings and the Bi- ble -- all with the theme of finding connections. And they discussed how to live their faith through their own service projects.

Photo courtesy of Jim Davis 5 AROUND CAMPUS

Summer Grilling with Biochar STU Wins Ashoka Award for Innovation in Higher Education

The St. Thomas University/Café Cocano Project has won an award from Ashoka U for its innovative educational approach to social entrepreneurship in higher education.

The Innovation Award is Ashoka U’s top honor for premiere higher education programs in social innovation education. It recognizes high impact and highly replicable education innovations, includ- ing pioneering teaching models, co-curricular programming, community partnerships, and research.

“We engage our students in collaborative efforts to understand and address complex local and global problems,” said Anthony Vinciguerra, former coordinator for STU’s Center for Community Engagement. “This partnership has enhanced student research, internships, and courses in a variety of disciplines; has developed students’ global civic consciousness; and has developed strong St. Thomas University’s science students were grilling every day this relationships between the University and its partner coffee farm- summer, but it’s not steak and burgers they were serving. They were ers – all while supporting Haitian-led, long-term social entrepre- grilling with a purpose. neurial development in Haiti.” During this year’s Summer Research Institute, a program now in its The Café COCANO Coffee Project is a partnership with St. Thomas seventh year, STU students explored how to turn organic trash (leftover University and the Cafeiere et Cacouyere du Nord’Ouest (COCANO) sugar cane, tree branches, coconut husks, wood, etc.) into a water coffee cooperative, an organic heirloom Arabica raw coffee bean purifying treasure called biochar. Biochar is a solid, charcoal-like that is imported in a fair-trade relationship. The arrangement material formed by heating biomass (the organic trash mentioned invigorates rural Haitian farmers, helps reforest their land and above) via a process known as pyrolysis, a slow burning process supports a sustainable socio-economic infrastructure. deficient of oxygen.

Students were making biochar outside next to the science building. The process involves heating biomass encased in metal containers on barbecue grills. Biochar is very porous, and as a result, can be used to filter contaminants like antibiotics, pesticide and hormones from drinking water.

“We’re basically researching how biochar made from different organ- ic material can be used to eliminate toxins such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, cleaning chemicals, etc., from water,” said STU volleyball player Courtney White, a senior majoring in biology.

Biochar Fun Fact: When applied to soil biochar boosts fertility by boosting water retention in the soil when it is dry, and promoting drainage when conditions are wet. It also helps capture greenhouse and odorous gases such as carbon dioxide and ammonia!

Last May was Msgr. Franklyn Casale’s last Commencement as President of STU. 6 Faculty news

Dr. Judith Bachay ‘76, professor, hosted the Scientific Supervisor for the Home Project, in Athens, Greece. Maria Kaldani collaborated with Dr. Bachay on vicarious trauma workshops, and educated participants in the STU Human Trafficking Academy, incorporating the European landscape and The Home Project’s pioneering solution for the protection of unaccompanied child refugees.

Dr. Kevin Brady, visiting professor of finance, coauthored “How Do Investors Determine Stock Prices after Large Price Shocks?” which was accepted in to the Journal of Behavioral Finance. And, this past September, he successfully defended his dissertation at Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Thomas Brezenski, associate professor, published the results of the 23rd District (FL) Congressional Gun Violence Task Force chaired by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Research.

Rev. Dr. Alfred Cioffi, associate professor, together with eight undergraduates researched how to clear disturbed sections of STU’s Slash Pine Forest, and reforesting a barren area. At STU we house the last Slash Fine Forest remaining in Miami-Dade County!

Raul Fernández-Calienes ‘17, professor, has been placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. As a candidate on the Fulbright Specialist Roster, he now is eligible for a tenure of three years to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in more than 150 countries globally.

Dr. Elisabeth Ferrero ‘87, professor, co-planned and attended the Spirituality & Sustainability Conference in Rome and Assisi. She was also invited to discuss the latest Papal Encyclical, Laudato Si’ with Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Dr. Claudia H. Herrera ’10 & ’17, director of Campus Ministry, was elected as Secretary of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. She also served as part of the faculty of the Summer Leadership Program in Hispanic Ministry organized by the US Bishops-Southeast Pastoral Institute for Hispanic Ministry. In addition, she represented STU as a participant and respondent panelist to the keynote speaker at Dominican University’s First National Conference in Chicago.

Steven Long, adjunct professor, had his photography featured in three publications: “A photographic journey of Florida’s rare and endangered flowering plants;” “Mydas Fly-Phyllomydas parvulus” in 2018 World of Insects Calendar; and in Peterson field guide to moths of southeastern North America.

Craig Markson, adjunct professor, published an article, “Sending Your Students to College: School District Climate Variables that Make a Difference,” in the New York Academy for Public Education’s Research Journal.

Dr. Michael Mulvey, associate professor of history, presented “Barbancourt Rum: Corporate History and Cultural Heritage in Haiti” at the Richard Robinson Business History Workshop in Portland State University. He also published “Real Estate and Urban History in Modern France: Paradoxes of Liberal Capitalism” in The Journal of Urban History.

Anthony Musto, adjunct law professor, received the John J. Copelan, Jr., Public Interest Award, for his contributions to the field of public interest law; and the John R. Hamilton Pro Bono Award, for his significant pro bono efforts in appellate matters. He also became a member of the Board of Directors of The Florida Bar Foundation, and achieved board certification in juvenile law.

Michael Vastine, law professor, has begun his term as President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), South Florida Chapter. 7 Blueprint For Leadership updates Breaking Ground on New Baseball Grandstands St. Thomas University will soon have new seating for STU Bobcat fans, courtesy of long-time university partner, The Boras Sports Training In- stitute. Designed to accommodate 336 spectators in tiered seating, the new Boras Sports Training Institute Grandstands will also offer a press box, and a picnic area near the third base entrance with standing room only seating.

These renovations to the Paul Demie Mainieri Field give Bobcat Baseball a championship edge. Not many collegiate baseball teams can say they train at the same facilities as elite Major League Baseball players! The new grandstands will offer a better experience for our players and spectators, and will give STU student-athletes a stadium worthy of national champions!

University Receives $1 Million Honors College Raises $2.2 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. of $5 Million Goal STU received a grant of $1 million to establish the unique The Msgr. Franklyn Casale Honors College is halfway toward program “Investing in Pastors: Thriving in Ministry in South reaching its goal of $5 million! From the beginning, an Honors Florida.” It is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry College has been a cornerstone of the University’s strategic plan, Initiative, which seeks to support organizations developing as it will drive the University to the next level by attracting and new or strengthening existing programs that help pastors retaining academically gifted and ambitious students. It will create a build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve more academically rigorous environment and influence high-caliber as role models and exemplars and guide them through key research and scholarship while allowing our students access to a leadership challenges at critical moments in their wide array of post-graduate opportunities. For more information ministerial careers. The primary aim is to help pastors thrive on how you can make a gift to the Honors College, please contact in congregational leadership and, in doing so, enhance the Gigi Laudisio, 305.628.6796, or [email protected]. vitality of the congregations they serve.

STU Names Institute for Data Science and Analytics The University has established and named its Institute for Data Science and Analytics in honor of Lisa and Victor Mendelson. This significant gift helps propel the University’s data analytics and data science programs forward as a leading tech hub for Latin America and Europe.

The Mendelson Family gift will name the Institute for Data Science and Analytics; fund the building of two state-of-the art computer laboratories within the new Gus Machado School of Business Building; underwrite the salary of an Assistant Professor in Data Science; expand the University’s STEM community outreach; and provide student scholarships.

“We’re proud to support this leading and high quality STU program,” said Lisa and Victor Mendelson. “STU’s commitment to outstanding and practical educational outcomes for its students give us great excitement for this university’s excellent future.”

8 points of pride

#1 Law School in the Nation for Hispanics

STU Law School was ranked the top law school in the nation for granting law degrees to Hispanics. This is the second year that STU Law has achieved the top ranking by Hispanic Outlook Magazine.

STU ranked in two u.s. news and news report rankings

U.S. News & News Report ranked STU #3 for “Most International Students,” and #7 for “Campus Ethnic Diversity” in the South!

NUrsing program earns accreditation

After a rigorous review of the program, St. Thomas University’s Nursing Program has received full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, a national nursing accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

STU Law Graduates Bar Passage: Top 5 in the State

STU School of Law graduates earned a passage rate of 70.2 percent, ranking them fifth in the state. The statewide average passage rate is 67.2 percent points.

President Armstrong Joins Orange Bowl Committee

President Armstrong has been named as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee. Armstrong was formally introduced as a committee member at the September monthly meeting of the OBC on Sept. 11.

STU Athletics Accolades

• Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year St. Thomas University Director of Athletics Laura Courtley-Todd ’95 was named The Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

• Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year The Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year Award also went to an STU Bobcat, Phil de Montmollin ’96. It marked the first time an STU Sports Information Director has won the award.

• Bobcats Picked First in Preseason TSC Coaches’ Poll STU Bobcats, the defending Sun Conference champions, have been picked to finish first in the 2018 Sun Conference Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The poll was voted on by each of the conference’s 10 head coaches.

• Coach Perez ‘12: Sun Conference Coach of the Year Head Baseball Coach Jorge Perez was named the 2018 Sun Conference Baseball Coach of the Year. Perez led the Bobcats to a school record 49 regular season wins and the best regular-season winning percentage in school history. The 49 wins breaks the previous record of 45 regular-season wins by the 1998 Bobcats. 9 ANNUAL FUND HONOR ROLL

St. Thomas University is grateful to those who have donated to the university’s 2017-2018 Annual Giving Campaign. Your generosity is providing student scholarships, opportunities for research, access to internships, and improvements to our campus, among many other important initiatives. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, THANK YOU! MAIN UNIVERSITY roll

South Florida Golf Foundation, Inc. St Thomas of Villanova Society ($10,000 & $100 to 249 SunTrust Banks, Inc. Above) Stanley G. Tate Diana Aliko ‘03 Lisa and Victor Mendelson The de Moya Group Inc. AmazonSmile Foundation Ryder System Charitable Foundation The Miami Foundation for A Greater Miami T.W. Anderson Robert E. Sanchez Hortensia B. Ullivarri ‘00 Peter Anderson SunTrust Foundation Dr. Orlando R. Barreto Texas Instruments Foundation $250 to $999 Nelson D. Bell ‘91 Vivant Skin Care, Sara Fulton Chief William B. Berger, Sr. ‘78 Academic Partnerships Edward C. Beyer ‘68 Michael J. Adrian ‘68 St. Augustine Society ($5,000 to $9,999) Cecilia M. Branas ‘84 Kevin Allen ‘81 Thomas R. Bresnahan ‘80 Paul A. Garcia, C.P.A. DeAnna Arana Tom W. Brown Jr. ‘87 Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc. Jorge Azor Dr. Mary Carter Waren ‘85 Anita Britt Julio Barrionuevo Robert S. Castner ‘68 Donald E. Dresback ‘69 Drew J. Bauman Esq. Deanna M. Christensen ‘89 Carol A. Ellis-Cutler ‘84 Eugene E. 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Garcia ‘17 Anne D. Gibson Bermello Ajamil & Partners Emilio T. Gonzalez John E. Gilger ‘94 Gary T. Blandino ‘77 Dr. Brian F. Groden, M.D. ‘82 John T. Glennon ‘70 Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale Ray Guzman Sr. ‘96 Robert M. Golson Jr. ‘98 Kevin P. Cassidy ‘09 Chris J. Haenn ‘87 John M. Guertin ‘79 Emily and Rudy Cecchi Jr. Lorena M. Hidalgo Richard ‘84 and Maria Hare ‘84 Albert P. Childress ‘77 Timothy L. Hoegler ‘81 Dennis J. Hartnett ‘79 Dade County Association of Fire Fighters Charities, Ron D. Hultquist Dr. Leslee N. Higgins Inc. N. Abraham Issa Gary Jackson ‘16 and Dawn Henry ‘99 Eric T. Davidson ‘95 Jeffrey Allen, Inc. Patrick R. Kalahar ‘93 Barbara C. Del Castillo, Esq. Jerry Jimenez Edward Kelly ‘92 Marilyn J. DeVoe George J. Karr Benjamin Kudary ‘92 Bob H. Dickinson Janine R. Laudisio Edna H. Kyles ‘81 Andy M. Elisburg ‘89 Daniel J. Licciardi ‘95 Mrs. Suzy Lacher Margaret L. Elliston Pam L. Loconto ‘10 Mr. Gary Ladolcetta Florida Power & Light Company Mary Jo D. Macro ‘93 Salomon Levy ‘75 Follett Higher Education Group, Inc. John E. McCann ‘68 Antonio M. Lopez Jr. ‘02 G4S Secure Solutions USA, Inc. Robert A. McGoldrick ‘70 Paul A. Lueken ‘85 Gray Robinson, P.A. Dr. Sean P. Melvin, III ‘87 Orestes L. Lugo ‘79 Dr. H. Dennis Harrison ‘86 Julio C. Millan ‘87 Dr. Michael E. Madden, Ed.D. ‘70 Daniel W. Katz ‘93 Dr. Lloyd A. Mitchell Dr. Susan R. Massey Michael S. Kelly ‘94 Wanda Monroe ‘87 Mrs. Dorit B. Matthews KPMG Foundation Richard E. Murray ‘70 Richard J. McCarthy ‘77 Leon Medical Centers National Catholic Office for the Deaf Eugene J. McKeown ‘71 Ann P. Machado Leif G. Novie Isabel Medina Pascu ‘16 Paul D. Mainieri ‘82 Terry O’Connor Joseph V. Melchiorre Larry McKinney Earl G. Rubley James D. Murphy Jr. ‘78 Metz Culinary Management Stephen P. Sahli ‘72 Robert A. Newkirk ‘93 Rafael M. Olloqui ‘90 Rodney C. Shaw ‘88 Joseph T. Nicholas Jr. ‘71 Dr. Gloria M. Pelaez Dr. Merrett R. Stierheim Dr. Agueda Ogazon ‘97 Paul R. Philip Donn J. Taylor ‘85 Dave ‘80 and Helen Page ‘80 Marie and Guy Protano, Jr. Eugene F. Taylor ‘85 Lenore M. Prado ‘02 Publix Super Markets Charities Maria A. Tilson ‘06 Laureano J. Pujol ‘88 Julian J. Rodriguez, C.P.A. ‘73 Thomas F. Toscani ‘70 Ronald G. Radloff ‘68 Prof. Joanne Rodriguez and Ronald Rodriguez Brian T. Trymbiski ‘80 Gary L. Richter ‘86 Silvia and Jose Ramon Rodriguez Dorian Valdes Arthur J. Roberts ‘76 Maureen and Tom Shea Juan M. Zamora Mr. Miguel Rocha 10 Paul V. Roddy ‘72 Ana M. Houston ‘88 law school honor roll Dr. Cesar J. Sastre, Sr. Dr. Jorge Iber ‘84 Gerard S. Saulny ‘74 Rosario A. Infiesta ‘83 Francis J. Sicius† Tanya James-Foster ‘18 St. Augustine Society ($5,000 to $9,999) Bob Stamen Cherifils Jean-Francois ‘11 Patrick L. Cordero, Esq. ‘88 Michael H. Toomey ‘80 Paul J. Kane ‘73 Philip M. Gerson, Esq. Ann Y. Turk-Bryant Ira M. Katz ‘87 Marcos A. Vargas Sr. ‘85 Michael J. Kopcha ‘68 St. Anthony of Padua Society ($1,000 to James P. Whelan ‘68 Barbara W. 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O’Gilvie ‘06 Lawrence S. Forman, Esq. Esther B. Cintron ‘82 Nancy J. Olson ‘81 Joshua B. Forman, Esq. ‘13 James F. Claffey Jr. ‘71 Louis B. Panza ‘68 Prof. Robert E. Gregg Mary M. Cline ‘80 Albertha W. Patterson ‘05 Prof. Kathleen Mahoney, Esq. Jay R. Coleman ‘88 Frances Peake Seth J. Marks, Esq. ‘07 James M. Condon Jr. ‘73 Coach Jorge Perez ‘12 Prof. Keith W. Rizzardi Paul J. Cornely ‘77 Miriam R. Perez ‘76 Nicholas W. Romanello, Esq. ‘93 Pedro De La Horra Nadly Pierre-Louis ‘14 Bryan J. Sinclair, Esq. ‘93 Phil E. de Montmollin III ‘96 Yunior Pineiro ‘15 Suzanne A. Singer, Esq. ‘92 Dolores A. de Montmollin ‘91 Doris Y. Pitts ‘79 The National Christian Foundation Donato Di Trolio Michael P. Plummer ‘97 Paul J. Walsh, Esq. ‘09 Hope E. Dietsch ‘78 Manuel J. Ramirez ‘79 Prof. Siegfried Wiessner Arlynda B. Difton ‘11 John L. Rich ‘69 Erica L. Dixon-Billups ‘16 Ana Gloria Rivas-Vazquez $50 to $199: Mary L. Dondero Indiana C. Rivera ‘17 Tamatha S. Alvarez, Esq. ‘98 Coach Kera M. Dukic Henry L. Robinson ‘77 Walter F. Benenati, Esq. ‘06 Nora Duran Society of the Sacred Heart, Sr. Helen E. Rosenthal Helen ‘06 and Justin Bennett, Esq. ‘05 Jeffrey M. Eisen ‘87 Jose V. Salcedo ‘13 Vincent R. Capasso Jr., Esq. ‘11 Richard J. Elliston ‘80 Edward F. Sallie Jr. ‘71 Salvador J. Castaner Jr., Esq. ‘10 Raquel Espina ‘06 Marlene C. Sampson ‘95 Ingrid A. Castro Esq. ‘11 Silvia Espinosa J. Michael Samway Mr. Leonard Feldman Lorraine M. Fenton ‘96 Steven D. Saxon ‘85 Michele M. Girard, Esq. ‘06 Sergio L. Fernandez Joseph J. Shantz Sr. ‘71 Scott Gow, Esq. ‘99 Hilda M. Fernandez Constance S. Shearer ‘08 Kelly David Hancock, Esq. ‘13 George L. Fernandez Coach Michelle L. Smith ‘00 Robert W. Hawley, Esq. ‘03 Gladys Ferrer de Rua Ofelia L. Sosa-Bada ‘82 Neal B. Lechtner, Esq. ‘93 Hans T. Fjellman ‘71 Gloria Suarez-Sanchez ‘88 Jonathan W. McConnell, Esq. ‘10 Stanley Flax Ayda R. Talavera ‘85 Christopher J. Metcalfe, Esq. ‘95 Wilnick V. Florvil ‘06 Dennis P. Temme ‘74 Prof. Patricia W. Moore Maria Galiano ‘76 Dr. Wendy Y. Thomson ‘95 Roberto J. Ortiz, Esq. ‘98 Dr. Jose M. Gallego ‘85 Arturo R. Tigera ‘80 Christopher M. Pardo, Esq. ‘07 Elena and Aurelio Garcia, Sr. Rev. Kevin L. Tisdol ‘17 Isaura M. Pino, Esq. ‘02 Sayli Garcia Ceballo ‘17 Pedro M. Toro ‘03 Jose F. Rohaidy, Esq. ‘17 James E. Gelbert Jr. ‘81 Carla L. Valeriani ‘10 Orin S. Shakerdge, Esq. ‘96 Louis F. Gesualdi ‘97 Nilo Ventura Jr. ‘88 The Honorable Ronald G. Sonom Elda D. Gonzalez ‘80 Dr. Adrienne Vynne Wei Su, Esq. ‘12 Thomas A. Grey ‘86 Coach Candace M. Walker ‘11 Alex B. Vanicek, Esq. ‘13 Roddy Z. Guerra ‘14 Laury G. Walter ‘87 Jason I. Warshofsky, Esq. ‘95 Edward K. Halsey III ‘90 Christopher E. Williams ‘08 Ryan C. Zagare, Esq. ‘06 Albertha Harris Kimberly A. Williams ‘16 Ms. Laurie B. Zimet Maury Hernandez ‘01 Sherri M. Hicks ‘93 $49 & Below: Robert B. Higgins ‘97 Carol S. Daisey, Esq. ‘97 Lilia P. Hogges ‘76 Deceased † Jason S. Vida, Esq. ‘00 11 ALUMNI NEWS CLASS OF ’68 reunion

Class of ’73 Reunion

Over forty Bobcat alumni and their spouses flew into Miami From left to right: Jim Condon, Joe Hinderhofer, Rod McCarthy, from all over the country to attend the Class of 1968 50th Tom Mackiewicz, Jim McCloud and Bud Rafter Reunion in May 2018. The events included a welcome reception; golf tournament; a sunset cruise along the Hollywood The Biscayne College Class of 1973 celebrated their 45th Reunion intracoastal; campus tours; mass; and a reunion dinner, which aboard the NCL Norwegian Sky in May 2018. The former Bobcats Coach Ken Stibler attended. The group recounted anecdotes visited Havana, Cuba, where they spent hours touring and of their time at Biscayne College as the first residential class, exploring Old Havana, the legendary Tropicana Cabaret, the reminisced about their many adventures in and around South Universidad de Santa Tomas de Villanueva (the original home Florida, and reflected on their life-changing experiences of STU), the Malecon seafront, and more. Special thanks to Rod, that have forged enduring friendships. Special thanks to Joe Bud, and Tom for sharing the reunion picture and write-up. Cooney for leading the reunion planning. To view the reunion pictures, visit: http://bit.ly/STU68reunion

South Florida Alumni Reception In September 2018, alumni, friends, faculty and staff gathered on campus to meet President David A. Armstrong, J.D., reconnect with old friends, mingle with South Florida Bobcat alumni, and hear about the latest STU developments. In between wine and appetizers, President Armstrong encouraged alumni to get involved with their alma mater by connecting with the Career Services Office to facilitate student internship opportunities; attending athletic games, campus event and lectures; and supporting the Annual Fund. NYC Alumni Reception UPCOMING EVENTS

• January 2019 – Atlanta Alumni Reception • February 2019 – Philadelphia Alumni Reception • March 2019 – New York City Alumni Reception • April 2019 – “Fore the Love of Education” Golf Tournament (www.stu.edu/tournament) • May 2019 – Biscayne College ‘66-’83 Reunion Honoring Coach Stibler & the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1969

Please visit www.stu.edu/alumnievents for more event details. In April, alumni and friends gathered at Lea Wine Bar in New York City to mingle with new and old classmates, and network with fellow Bobcat alumni in the Tri-State area. 12 ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni Fridays Campus Tours Whether you’ve been gone five years or 50, we invite you to come back and take a tour and see what’s new! The STU Office of Alumni Relations invites alumni to come “home” for a personalized campus tour! This one-hour campus tour is a great way to revisit your past, learn about changes on campus, and explore the University’s progress. Alumni Fridays campus tours are conducted on the second and third Friday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m., or from 2 to 3 p.m. To request a tour, please send an email at least two weeks in advance with your name, phone number, and total number of tour attendees to Lorena Hidalgo, Director of Alumni Relations at [email protected].

Alumni Discount Highlight: GEICO Did you know that as a St. Thomas Alum you may qualify for special discounts with GEICO? The STU Alumni Association has partnered with GEICO to offer special discounts on auto insurance to qualifying alumni. Every quote helps support St. Thomas University Alumni Association programs and events. To learn more about this special discount offer and obtain your free insurance quote, visit www.geico.com/alum/stuaa or call 1-800-368-2734.

To learn more about other alumni services and discounts, please visit www.stu.edu/alumniservices.

Follow us! Stay in touch & share your news! Have you been promoted? Earned an advanced degree? Been honored for professional : /STUAlumniAssociation or personal achievements? Added to the family? We want to be in the know! Visit us at www.stu.edu/alumni/classnotes, email [email protected], or call us at 305-628-6601 to share your news! : @STU_Alumni Have you moved or changed your email recently? Please visit www.stu.edu/alumniupdate to ensure we have your most recent contact information, and be sure to tell a friend to update their contact information too! : @STU_Alumni

13 CLASS NOTES

1978 Frank Toro, B.A. Liberal Studies, is enrolled in the Spanish for 1993 Carolyn Guniss, B.A. English, has been the the Professions master’s program at Minnesota State University executive editor of The Miami Times newspaper with the intent of later pursuing a doctorate’s degree in Spanish. since September 2014.

Nicolae Boariu, B.A. Criminal Justice, is the National Staffing 1984 Employee of the Year All-Star, professional–managerial sector. This annual awards program honors U.S. temporary and contract employees with extraordinary success stories. Boariu became a 1994 Michael Kelly, M.S. Sports Administration, was contract substitute teacher at Kelly Educational Staffing after he named Vice President of Athletics for the retired from a 30-plus-year career in law enforcement. University of South Florida in June 2018. Kelly previously served as the chief operating officer for the Playoff, was the Howard Gauthier, M.S. Sports Administration, has associate athletic director for external affairs penned a new book exploring the link between at USF under former AD and Tampa Bay legend positive leadership and organizational success. . Kelly is the only person to ever Titled “The Positive Leader,” the book outlines serve as lead local executive for three different five leadership strategies designed to build Super Bowls in three different communities, successful teams in the workplace, on the playing having been president of the host field or in the boardroom. Gauthier is currently committees in Tampa Bay (Super Bowl XXXV), an associate professor of sports science at Idaho Jacksonville (Super Bowl XXXIX) and South State University-Meridian. Florida (Super Bowl XLI). 1986 Michael J. Marcil, M.S. Sports Administration, 1998 William P. Dillon, Esq., J.D. Law, joined Gunster, received the NCAA Division 2 Conference one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service Commissioners Association 2018 D2 CCA business law firms, as a shareholder to the Award of Merit for individuals who have firm’s Tallahassee office, and member of their made exceptional contributions to the entire health care law practice in May 2018. An active NCAA Division II membership and the member of his community, Dillon is involved Division II student-athlete experience. Marcil with Gulfwinds Triathletes and the Tallahassee served in numerous capacities on the na- Sports Council, a division of the Leon County tional level including on the NCAA Executive Division of Tourism. Committee, D2 CCA President, NCAA Division II Management Council Chair and on 16 NCAA 2005 Rogelio “Roy” Ramos, B.A. Communication Arts, Division II committees including the Championships joined the WLPG/Local 10 News team in 2018 Committee, Student-Athlete Reinstatement as a reporter. Roy started his career in news at Committee, Community Service Committee and WSVN, where he worked as a general assignment as chair of the Committee on Infractions and of reporter, but he has worked in several different the Compliance Blueprint Program Project Team. markets in Florida, most recently at WFTV in Marcil currently teaches sports law for the sports man- Orlando. He has covered a range of stories from agement program at Bellevue (Nebraska) University. the BP oil spill, countless hurricanes, and the 2016 president campaign and election to the 1989 Mitchell Coulton, M.Acc. Accounting, is the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, for which he was executive director at Women Veterans In nominated for an Emmy Award. Crisis at the Whispering Oaks Ranch campus, a first-in-the-country non-profit public charity 2007 Dr. George L. Salis, LLM ’07 has been promoted to Principal offering comprehensive intensive mental health Economist & Tax Policy Advisor at Vertex, Inc., one of the and social wrap-around life support services for leading global tax software & technology companies in the women veterans and their dependent children. world. He is now working in the Vertex’ Chief Tax Office, is a recent alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School Advanced Executive Certification Programs in trade policy and Dr. Everett Montgomery, M.Acc. Accounting, is currently an comparative tax policy and administration. 1990 Assistant Professor of Accounting and Business at Tallahassee Community College. He is also a Partner at ELM Management 2009 Rachel A. Canfield, J.D. Law, accepted a Staff Attorney Group/ELM Insurance and Financial Services. Dr. Montgomery position with the Third District Court of Appeal, Miami. is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Licensed Insurance Agent.

14 CLASS NOTES

2009 Schuyler Smith, J.D. Law, Partner at Hamilton Miller & Birthisel, was elected as a Board of Director with the 2018- Tatiana Leon, B.A. Psychology ’13 and M.S. 2019 Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Guidance & Counseling ’16, is a Bilingual Court Women Lawyers. Advocate for domestic violence victims at Safe Alliance in Charlotte, NC. Jeffrey Reed, B.A. Sports Administration, joined the Emerge Capital Management team as a Compliance Manager. Most recently, Jeffrey was an AML Compliance Analyst with 2017 Anthony Cainion, M.S. Trade & Logistics Management, is currently Citi Group. After studying law at the Charlotte a Supply Chain Manager with the US Army and is stationed in Fort School of Law, Jeffrey decided to complement Drum, New York. compliance with business and then graduated with his M.B.A from Canisius College in Buffalo, Carolina Nuche, J.D. Law, accepted an Associate Attorney position New York. Jeffrey is the Executive Chairman with Baker McKenzie in Miami in its Tax Practice Group. for Business Graduate Review Committee for Canisius College MBA Alumni Association. 2018 Carolyn Johnson, M.S. Guidance & Counseling, is a Trust 2010 Chris Brown, J.D. Law, accepted a Trial Attorney position with Counselor for Northwestern Senior High School. Lydecker Diaz in Miami. Michael Lopez, B.B.A. Sports Administration, 2012 Harold Gomez, B.S. Biology, obtained his Medical Degree from was selected as one of the Will Hancock the University of Michigan Medical School and entered his Communications Assistants for the Big 12 residency training in Emergency Medicine at the Henry Ford Conference for the 2018-2019 term. Hospital in Detroit, MI in June 2017. Currently, he is transitioning to his second year of residency training as an Emergency Medicine Stephanie Ganges, J.D. Law, accepted an Associate position doctor. with Sioli Alexander Pino in Miami, specializing in Insurance Defense and Maritime Law. David Ernesto Perez, B.B.A. Sports Administration ’10 and M.B.A. Sports Administration ’12 got married to his sweetheart Antonio Pena, J.D. Law, accepted an Assistant State Attorney Michelle Perez in December 2017 and was promoted as position with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Assistant Director of Development for United Community Options of South Florida. Frank Vasconcelos, J.D. Law, accepted an Assistant Public Defender position with the Office of the Public Defender, in Joshua Roth, J.D. Law,accepted an Associate Attorney position West Palm Beach. with Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. in Orlando, specializing in Insurance and Medical Malpractice Defense. in Dr. Ofelia Tabares Fernandez passed away on August 4, 2018, in memoriam Plantation, Florida, at the age of 89. She will be fondly remembered 2015 Susana Rodriguez, Esq., J.D. Law, joined as a matriarch, economist, businesswoman, activist, and patriot. Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, Dr. Tabares Fernandez was born in Camaguey, Cuba, and earned a leading civil defense litigation law firm, as an degrees from St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic University and the associate in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office. University of Havana, both in Cuba, ultimately earning a Doctorate Ms. Rodriguez joins the firm’s Professional in Economics. Liability Department, focusing primarily on defending insurance carriers in first-party property litigation. 2016 Sonia Gonzalez, M.S. TESOL Education, is a teacher and online English tutor residing in Ocala, Florida.

Patrick Mourin, J.D. Law, was promoted to Second Lieutenant with the United States Army. Santino Ruiz, J.D. Law, opened his own firm this year (Law Group of South Florida, LLC) in Miami, specializing in First Party Claims, Real Estate Transactions, Personal Injury, and Estate Planning.

Christine Soto, J.D. Law, accepted an Associate position with Kelley Kronenberg in Miami.

15 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1259 Ft. Lauderdale 33310-9998 OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNICATIONS 16401 NW 37th Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33054

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