a magazine for NEUMANN UNIVERSITY alumni, family and friends
Vol. 49, No. 1 • Winter 2021 The professors prepare you for critical thinking. ALUMNI SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS: Survey results inside
I went to get a degree, and I found a family. I love Franciscan teaching and values.
Neumann helped me gain leadership skills.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS! Save these Dates
To view the most current event details and registration information, especially during this semester when every event format is tentative because of coronavirus, visit the Alumni Online Community at www.alumni.neumann.edu.
CHARTER DAY CELEBRATIONS (Most locations are tentative) March 18: Day of Giving Online opportunities all day • Look for a call during our Phonathon Visit www.givecampus.com/schools/NeumannUniversity/day-of-giving-2021
March 18: Rocco A. ’79 and Mary F. Abessinio Management and Entrepreneurship Lecture 1:00 p.m. — Online (check www.alumni.neumann.edu for access) Manjit Minhas, owner of Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Winery and a celebrity judge on Dragons’ Den, Canada’s version of Shark Tank
March 19: Charter Day 12:00 noon — Mass, Tent in the Rose Garden • 6:00 p.m. — Alumni Awards, Meagher Theatre
COMMENCEMENT May 15: Class of 2021 10 a.m. — Graduate and Adult Degrees • 2:30 p.m. — Undergraduate Degrees The Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development
May 16: Class of 2020 10 a.m. — Graduate and Adult Degrees • 2:30 p.m. — Undergraduate Degrees The Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development
ATHLETICS GOLF OUTING June 15 Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, Lafayette Hill, PA
Stay Connected with us on social media for up-to-date event info and more! Follow NU Alumni:
Neumann University Alumni @neumannalum @neumannalum a magazine for NEUMANN UNIVERSITY alumni, family and friends
Vol. 49, No. 1 • Winter 2021
President Dr. Chris Everett Domes FEATURES Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing 8 Francesca Reed Editor, Accent Magazine Chiara Honors House Stephen T. Bell Welcomes Students Director of Publications ALUMNI SHARE Carol DiAntonio THEIR THOUGHTS: Survey results inside 12 Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Community Outreach Alumni Survey: Judi Stanaitis ’07 ’13 The Results Are In Contributors Danielle Friel ’09 Carolyn Seagraves ’84 ’19 19 Jill Weigel
A Socially Distanced Photography Homecoming Tony Hoffer Kelly & Massa Hunter Martin Jerry Millevoi On the Cover: Your Opinion Matters! Accent Magazine DEPARTMENTS is published two times annually by Neumann University, Office of Public Relations and Marketing, 3 One Neumann Drive, From the President Aston, PA 19014-1298 (610) 558-5549 Copyright by Neumann University. 4 Accent Magazine is distributed free of charge to alumni and Around Campus friends of Neumann University and is printed on recycled paper. 18 Information in this issue was received by 1/13/21. Alumni News Please send change-of-address correspondence to: 22 Office of University Advancement Class Notes Neumann University One Neumann Drive Aston, PA 19014-1298 or to [email protected]. Want to know how to help Neumann this year? We appreciate your continued support of Neumann University and want to thank you for your past generosity. You might want to help us again this year, but you may not know how. An idea you might consider is a charitable bequest — a gift you can make without using any of your current resources. It’s a simple commitment made in your will that leaves a future amount, asset or percentage of your estate to us.
Your gift is important because it will help us continue our future work.
If you have already included us in your estate plan, please let us know so that we can recognize and thank you.
To learn more about how to create a bequest in your will or to request a free guide to making your will or trust, please visit www.nuplannedgiving.org or call us today at 610-579-6288. From the President
To our alumni and friends,
People often have an emotional, spiritual connection to their alma mater.
The college years are a time for growth and maturing, a rite of passage to adulthood and citizenship. Many remember the college experience as the time when they encountered new ideas, developed their Want to know how to help values, and transformed into the person they are today. In the fall of 2020, Neumann University launched the first comprehensive alumni attitudinal survey in its history, and the results reflect the transformational memories that are so common among college graduates. Most of the questions asked our alumni to rate their experience as a student, their satisfaction Neumann this year? with their education, or their post-graduate loyalty to the university. We are thankful that those ratings are overwhelmingly positive — 95.3 percent rate their experience as a student as excellent (66.9%) or good (28.4%).
The real insight about the impact of a Catholic Franciscan education, however, is most apparent from the results of open-ended survey questions. At several points in the survey instrument, alumni were provided the opportunity to offer personal comments rather than simply selecting a rating on a five-point scale.
The comments made by our alumni capture the deep influence that our Franciscan mission, our RISES values, and our commitment to blend faith and reason have had during our 56-year history. Here are a few of the most moving: Neumann helped wake me up to the value I place on honesty, genuineness and spirituality. I have valued the words of Francis, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words,” since the first time I heard them. I admire and take to heart the Catholic Franciscan values that I learned at Neumann. I went to get a degree, and I found a family.
These sentiments, expressed by our alumni in their own words, underscore the abiding and essential value of a Catholic Franciscan education. The Catholic Intellectual tradition, framed by our Franciscan core values, requires us not simply to impart knowledge but to go beyond, by engaging with our students in meaningful dialogue, prayer, acts of service, and moments for critical reflection. In their survey comments, our alumni have provided evidence that we are doing just that.
Dr. Chris Everett Domes President
Winter 2021 3 campuscampus AroundAroundNew Online Program for K-12 Teachers In October, Neumann began offering a K-12 Online Instruction Diptee Pathak program to provide teachers with the knowledge, awareness, and Kate Jester and skills to effectively design, deliver, and assess K-12 academic learning content in hybrid and virtual settings. DPT Students Recycle Mobility Equipment Made up of four classes, the program is scheduled to run from October 2020 through June 2021 with one course last fall, two this Diptee Pathak, a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy spring, and one in the first summer session of 2021. All four will program, works as a home healthcare physical therapist assistant be delivered fully online. dealing with numerous patients who use mobility equipment on This program is designed to provide a daily basis. Through her work, she realized that many patients timely help for teachers, given the recent simply did not have enough durable medical equipment (DME). outbreak of COVID-19. “Emergency online Pathak knew that many former PT patients had mobility teaching is not teaching online,” said Dr. equipment not being used and taking up space in their attics and Stephanie Budhai, referencing the recent garages. Last September, she posted a request on social media to closing of schools due to the pandemic. A donate this equipment, and her recycling efforts took off. professor of graduate education at Neumann, Word spread through the DPT program and soon Kate Jester, Budhai designed the program and wants a first year DPT student, jumped in to help Pathak collect and teachers to be prepared if the virus continues distribute the equipment. Jester also started a GoFundMe page Dr. Stephanie Budhai or if there is an expansion of online learning. to collect monetary donations to purchase DME. Pennsylvania certified teachers can earn a teaching The recycling program grew so much that Pathak created endorsement from the PA Department of Education by a non-profit organization. The domain is DMEdonations.org. completing all four courses. “We are really excited to help so many people,” said Pathak, who not only collects and disinfects the DME but also delivers it to patients. 75% of Faculty Certified to Teach Online Seventy-five percent of Neumann’s full-time faculty have Neumann Receives $1.3 Million DOE Grant earned certification from Quality Matters (QM), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of online The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Neumann education and student learning. University a grant of $1.3 million to fund a Student Support According to Dr. Alfred Mueller, the dean Services (SSS) program, which will provide academic and other of Arts and Sciences, “Certification through support services to low-income, first-generation students and Quality Matters demonstrates a level of students with disabilities. expertise in online education. Faculty receive The purpose of the grant is to increase retention and training to improve the quality of their graduation rates and foster an institutional climate supportive online course design. This training is based of the success of these students. on current best practices in online teaching Neumann has received federal funding for this program in and rigorous, peer-reviewed research.” 2010 and 2015 and has used the grants to support 497 students in Of Neumann’s 97 full-time faculty, their pursuit of a college degree in the last decade. Dr. Alfred Mueller 73 have achieved QM certification. Such At Neumann, the SSS services include one-on-one academic expertise is especially critical during a pandemic, which has coaching; assistance with course selection; the possibility of caused many students to learn in an online or hybrid format. earning grant aid; financial literacy and financial aid counseling; Mueller, who has worked with QM since 2013, is a certified individual tutoring in math; career and internship counseling; facilitator of the basic training course, a program reviewer, and a assistance with resumes and all related career documents; and master reviewer. He was one of the first 40 people to be certified graduate/professional school counseling. as program reviewers and one of the first four people to chair a The grant began on September 1, 2020, and will be distributed program review in the United States. during the next five years (approximately $261,888 per year).
4 Accent Magazine
Senior Led Voter Awareness Campaign Kaitlyn Tracey, a senior, made it her mission to get classmates to register and vote in the campuscampus 24/7 Telehealth for Students November 3 election. Tracey was named a AroundAround Neumann has partnered with TimelyMD, a medical telehealth Democracy Fellow by the service, to provide free, on-demand, 24/7 health care for students. Campus Vote Project, an TimelyMD provides support for physical and mental health issues organization that works with and allows students to get advice on these topics at any time. universities and election officials Students will be able to use two services offered by the to reduce barriers to student Kaitlyn Tracey company: the medical platform, which is staffed by doctors and voting. The paid fellowship nurse practitioners, and “Talk Now,” which is staffed by mental required Tracey to work 10-15 hours a week, organizing voting healthcare providers. awareness events and outreach programs. The telehealth service is available 52 weeks a year in all 50 She arranged post-debate discussions for students, staffed voter states for Neumann’s undergraduate and graduate students, registration tables at various locations on campus, and posted who can access these services through an app or a website information about voting on social media platforms. She also hosted on a computer with video capability. Student records will be an Instagram Live Q&A session with students in late October and confidentially shared between the telehealth company and worked with the campus safety office to coordinate rides to polling university staff in the Counseling Center for Wellness and places for those who had registered locally. Student Health Services to provide continuity of care for each She was encouraged to apply for the fellowship by Bridget student. Haines-Frank, the university’s dean of students. Tracey is one “This service gives more flexibility for our students when they of only 300 Democracy Fellows in the country and one of 50 in are sick,” said Dr. Chris Haug, vice president for student affairs. Pennsylvania. “It just makes sense for our community, particularly during this The experience has enabled Tracey to see beyond the 2020 pandemic.” presidential election and realize the importance of all elections. “It’s Neumann was the first college in Pennsylvania and first in the about educating students on voting, not just presidential but also tri-state area to partner with TimelyMD. local elections, so they understand why their votes matter,” she says.
Padre Pio House For years, the white house situated at little five-points intersection was known as the “4040 house” because of the street address — 4040 Concord Road. Neumann students have often rented this property, which is owned by the Buoni family. This year, the building was named the “Padre Pio House” because of its affiliation with Campus Ministry. The five residents have made a commitment to live in a vibrant faith community that celebrates God’s love for all and promotes Neumann’s core values of reverence, integrity, service, excellence and stewardship. The Padre Pio living community is the brainchild of Sister Linda DeCero, director of pastoral ministry, who suggested the name because St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin Franciscan, is the patron saint of volunteers and adolescents. The five female students who reside in the house are all involved with Campus Ministry. Bridget Coulter, Megan Donohue, Kaci Spicer, Carli Trice and Julia Violi share the same faith beliefs and have fully embraced the living experience. Julia Violi, Kaci Spicer, Megan Donohue, and Carli Trice in front of Padre Pio House
Winter 2021 5 Around campus continued New Master’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science With coronavirus still dominating the headlines and affecting daily life across the country, Neumann University has launched a master’s degree program in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) to train students to identify infectious diseases and prevent their spread. Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF, ’70 The graduate program, which started in January 2021, provides on her porch instruction in infectious disease processes, surveillance, and Prayers from the Porch epidemiologic investigation. It also offers advanced course work Coronavirus has caused most of the Sisters of St. Francis on in infection prevention. The 40-credit program can be completed campus to maintain a healthy social distance from the students in two years or less in an online, in-person, or hybrid format. there. Despite this hurdle, Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF, ’70 “Clinical laboratory scientists play a vital role in patient care Neumann’s vice president for mission and ministry, and Sr. Linda while making use of leading-edge technology,” says Dr. Sandra DeCero, OSF, director of pastoral ministry, aren’t letting the virus Weiss, director of Neumann’s undergraduate and graduate CLS interfere with their roles on campus. programs. “In fact, 70 percent of all physician decisions are Every day, the two Sisters spend hours on the screened-in based on laboratory test results provided by clinical laboratory porch of the campus Ministry House, offering students on their scientists.” way to class a creative version of PPE — prayer, presence and According to Weiss, there is a critical shortage in the field. encouragement. “Graduates of Neumann’s undergraduate Biology/CLS program The Ministry House is perfectly positioned for both women to often receive multiple job offers prior to graduation,” she notes. engage students from their self-described “perch on the porch.” Graduates are prepared to perform the full range of clinical The home is located between the residence halls and the athletic laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, center and is directly across the street from academic buildings immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, and and the dining hall. The foot traffic is steady. other emerging diagnostics with accuracy. They are trained to “It’s too dangerous for us at this stage in our lives to be mingling verify and execute quality-control procedures. with the students,” Sr. Marguerite says, referring to the virus. “However, we can speak to them from the porch as they go back and forth to the gym.” U.S. News Ranks Neumann among Best in the North Pena Selected for NCAA Neumann University has been ranked among the Best Regional Universities Advisory Committe in the North by U.S. News & World Volleyball player Ariana Pena has been Report in its Best Colleges 2021 issue. selected to serve on the NCAA Division U.S. News also ranked Neumann among the Best in the III National Student-Athlete Advisory North for social mobility. This ranking identifies colleges Committee (SAAC), representing the Atlantic that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling East Conference. She is one of 24 students in and graduating significant proportions of economically the country chosen for this committee. Ariana Pena disadvantaged students who are eligible for Pell Grants. At the national level, the SAAC provides Neumann was ranked #8 among regional universities in student-athletes with opportunities to review and vote on Pennsylvania for social mobility. legislation (NCAA bylaws) and gives them a voice on student- The magazine’s overall rankings are based on academic athlete issues. The committee meets four times each year in quality. According to the publication’s website, the statistical January, April, July and November in Indianapolis, IN. indicators that U.S. News uses to measure academic quality Pena hopes to address issues such as social and racial injustice, fall into nine broad areas: social mobility; first-year student inclusion, and mental health on behalf of the Atlantic East retention and graduation of students; graduate indebtedness; Conference, which includes Cabrini University, Gwynedd Mercy expert opinion; faculty resources; student excellence; financial University, Immaculata University, Marymount University, resources; alumni giving; and graduation rate performance. Marywood University, Neumann University, and Wesley College. “These rankings reflect the positive reality of the Neumann The junior was named to the Atlantic East Second Team experience — career-oriented and high-quality higher All-Conference for the 2019 season and earned All-Academic education,” said Dr. Chris Domes, Neumann’s president. “We are honors for two seasons as a pre-physical therapy and athletic especially proud of our social mobility ranking because of the training major. large number of first-generation college students that we serve.” Pena’s term on the committee began on January 17, 2021, and continues through January 31, 2023. 6 Accent Magazine Mamba Mentality Fall Enrollment Jumps 4.8 Percent Neumann’s Caleb Mezzy, a professor of The fall numbers are in, and Neumann University bucked the sport management, launched a new course national trend, increasing total enrollment by 4.8 percent compared in the fall, “Embrace the Mamba Mentality.” to fall 2019. The overall headcount jumped from 2,391 to 2,506. Designed around the philosophy of former Undergraduate enrollment increased 2.1 percent, rising from NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, the three-credit 1,901 last year to 1,942 this fall. Graduate enrollment skyrocketed course focused on an analysis of the Mamba from 490 to 564, a leap of 15.1 percent. Mentality and its application beyond the This growth countered the national trend reported in September realm of sports. Caleb Mezzy by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center “with data Bryant, who died tragically on January 26, 2020, left behind showing a 4-percent dip in undergraduate attendance this fall” at a legacy filled with noteworthy basketball achievements and life all types of institutions and across all demographic groups. lessons. He coined the phrase “Mamba Mentality” (a nod to his Dr. Chris Domes, Neumann’s president, attributes the Black Mamba alter ego), which he said embodied his approach to university’s enrollment growth to a number of factors: a hybrid life on and off the court. model of academic instruction with an available all-online option; According to Bryant, the approach is all about focusing on interactive technology that features recorded lectures and science process and trusting in hard work when it matters most. Now, labs with multiple cameras; the creation of dozens of virtual thanks to Mezzy, Neumann students can learn how to embrace admissions events; and an aggressive communication strategy to this philosophy. students and parents, explaining the university’s safety measures. He plans to challenge his students to tap into their curiosity and creativity, and to reflect on the impact they want to make in the world. The class required students to do a “Dear Basketball” Math Meets Karate project, which mirrors the short film written by Bryant, celebrating at Sports Analytics the importance of big dreams, hard work, and perseverance. Conference Mezzy hopes his students will come to understand this concept and find ways to use Bryant’s philosophy in their own lives. Olivia DiDonato, a sophomore mathematics major who is a black belt New Diversity-Focused in karate, combined her Business Course two interests to create a predictive model for karate Dr. Nathan Hardy is teaching Neumann’s matches and presented her first diversity-focused business course this research at the Midwest spring, Black Americans in Business and Sports Analytics Meeting Society (BUS 220). on November 21. “Students will study Black history, leaders, The conference, which Olivia DiDonato culture, social justice, ethics, civil rights, and was hosted by Central Dr. Nathan Hardy the resilience and creativity of business leaders College in Iowa, promotes faculty, graduate, and undergraduate to succeed against the odds,” Hardy explains. “Students will learn research in sports analytics. DiDonato’s poster presentation was about positive race relations, how to promote them, and how to advocate for a cause.” one of just eight accepted by the national conference. Hardy has been working on this course since June. “In the wake Entitled “Predicting the Outcome of Shotokan Karate of the social justice protests of the time and the resultant Neumann Matches,” the DiDonato research proposes a predictive model University town hall on racism held on June 8, students of multiple that uses various skills performed by the competitors. With races expressed interest in having a course or program that covers … faculty mentor Ryan Savitz, she collected data on a large set of diversity and safe discussions on related current events,” he notes. karate skills from 30 matches and used stepwise logistic regression He has found relatively few business courses about Blacks at other to determine the subset of these variables that best predicted the colleges across the nation. “Yet students of all races and majors can matches’ outcomes. learn from the perseverance and ingenuity of Black business leaders Her final model predicted match outcomes with nearly 92% to succeed despite the obstacles they had to manage and societal accuracy. policies that made doing business difficult.” DiDonato conducted her research during the summer after she Neumann’s Core curriculum requires that all students take qualified for a $5,000 Clare Boothe Luce Undergraduate Research one three-credit, diversity-certified course before they graduate. Scholar Award to investigate how mathematics might identify According to Sr. Pat Hutchison, director of the Neumann Institute martial arts skill. The grant stipulated that she devote 150 hours to for Franciscan Studies, a focus on diversity and cultural awareness research, collect data and write the findings in a paper on a topic “directly supports Neumann’s RISES values, especially Reverence.” of her choice.
Winter 2021 7 1892 Victorian Mansion Welcomes Students
Chiara Honors House
The Rhodes mansion is a home once again. Now known as Chiara Honors House, the stately 1892 Victorian structure Staircase opened its doors to 14 Neumann University students, one graduate assistant and a resident assistant on Saturday, August 29, 2020. The first six students to move in during the early morning hours were Tammi Jacobs, Marissa Lallone, Makayla Love, Kaitlyn Madron, Sophia Parrish, and Melinda Woo. The young ladies were all very happy with their new accommodations. “I love the parlor. I cannot wait to have my 8 a.m. lecture and sit out there with a coffee,” said Madron, a Nursing major. Love, a Biology and Pre-Med student, agreed. “I love it. It’s really unique on the outside and on the inside as well, especially the window seats. There’s more of a homey feeling here.” Students had to apply for the 14 spots in Chiara House. Common space Criteria included enrollment in the university honors program, a GPA of 3.0 or above, and adherence to the student code of conduct. Neumann purchased the home in February 2019 and spent a year renovating the three-story house. After serving as a bed-and-breakfast and an apartment building from 1992 to 2019, it was a handyman’s special, aching to be Charter Day refurbished. The renovated version boasts wood floors, high ceilings, an impressive wooden staircase, a vintage oval window, and two pairs of sliding pocket doors. Some of the rooms on the second and third floors have unique designs that provide the Celebrations “character” that is so appealing in homes of that era. The home was built by John B. Rhodes, who purchased a large tract of land at the corner in 1885. The Rhodes brothers For up-to-date details, (John and Samuel) had been business owners in the area visit www.alumni.neumann.edu. since 1864 when they acquired a gristmill on the west branch Kitchen of Chester Creek, at the bottom of the steep hill behind the house, and converted it into a cotton and woolen factory.
8 Accent Magazine Charter Day: Meet a Celebrity Judge from Canada’s Shark Tank
Manjit Minhas has a history of brewing up Minhas is now a specialist in brand business success. She runs the 10th largest development, marketing, sales, and retail brewery in the world and is a celebrity judge negotiations. One of her successful, niche- on Dragons’ Den, Canada’s equivalent of marketed ventures is the Minhas Micro Shark Tank. Brewery, which makes world-class craft On Thursday, March 18, at 1 p.m. she will beers and specialty beers, such as a gluten- deliver an online presentation about how free options for people with Celiac disease. to become a successful entrepreneur. Yes, a Her background in engineering brewery owner discussing how to sell beer on has influenced her to minimize the the day after St. Patrick’s Day. To access the environmental impact of her company, lecture, check www.alumni.neumann.edu). producing beer using the least amount of An immigrant from India, Minhas cleaning and water treatment chemicals, is known as the “tough” Dragon on the gas, electricity, and water. Canadian show. In several interviews, she Minhas is the author of the book has reinforced her no-nonsense reputation Brewing Up a Damn Good Story and has with a succinct statement of her business received many awards, including Women philosophy: “There is no elevator to success. Executive Network’s Top 100 Women You have to take the stairs.” Entrepreneurs, Profitmagazine’s Top Minhas has been able to shatter a glass Growth Entrepreneur, and Chatelaine’s Top Manjit Minhas ceiling by breaking into the notoriously Entrepreneur Woman of The Year. She’s competitive and male-dominated beer been profiled in Maclean’s, The Globe and and spirits industry. Minhas Breweries, Mail, and The National, and was recently bringing to campus each year a recognized Distilleries and Winery, which she co- named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. professional with expertise in management founded with her brother, produces more Her appearance is part of the and entrepreneurship. than 90 brands of beer, spirits, liquor, and university’s Charter Day commemoration, Mr. Abessinio, a 1979 alumnus and wine. She is now the sole owner, president, an annual celebration of the founding of longtime friend of Neumann, is chief and CEO of the company, which is worth Neumann in 1965. executive officer of Roch Capital, Inc., a $187 million. Minhas’s presentation is Neumann’s privately-owned capital management firm, In her presentation, Minhas will share the fifth annual Rocco A. ’79 and Mary F. headquartered in Glen Mills, PA, and principles and entrepreneurial values that Abessinio Lecture in Management and focused on making investments in assets have led her company to rapid success — the Entrepreneurship. The inaugural lecture that will be he held for the long term. He necessity of embracing change, encouraging was delivered by Rocco Abessinio himself is also the founder of Applied Bank and innovation, and incentivizing disruption at on October 4, 2016. He and his wife Mary Applied Card System, which grew to be the every stage of the game. funded the Abessinio Lecture through their 10th largest issuer of Visa and MasterCard Originally trained as an engineer, family foundation with the intention of credit cards in the country.
March 18: Day of Giving — Online opportunities all day. Support scholarships, Charter Day athletics, faculty, or your major with a gift of any amount. Visit www.givecampus.com/schools/NeumannUniversity/day-of-giving-2021 Rocco A. ’79 and Mary F. Abessinio Management and Entrepreneurship Lecture Celebrations 1 p.m. — Online (check www.alumni.neumann.edu for access) Manjit Minhas, celebrity judge on Dragons’ Den, Canada’s version of Shark Tank
For up-to-date details, March 19: Charter Day 12 noon — Mass, Tent in the Rose Garden visit www.alumni.neumann.edu. 6 p.m. — Alumni Awards, Meagher Theatre
Winter 2021 9 Five
Join the Shelly Buck Dominic DeMarco Shelly Buck joined Main Line Health Dominic DeMarco is the managing as president of Riddle Hospital in director and co-chief investment Board of September 2019. officer at Stadium Capital With almost 20 years of executive Management, LLC, in New Canaan, Trustees experience in health care, Buck provides Connecticut. He has worked at the leadership and operational oversight at private equity firm for the past 21 Riddle Hospital and collaborates with years. the senior leadership team, medical staff DeMarco was previously employed leadership, Riddle Hospital Foundation Neumann University as an independent director by Big 5 Board, and her executive colleagues Sporting Goods Corp., an associate welcomes five across Main Line Health to identify by Goldman Sachs & Co., and an new board members strategies for success and to ensure that analyst by Goldman Sachs & Co. the effective execution of those strategies In 2019, DeMarco was to its Board of are in line with Main Line Health’s instrumental in assisting the Trustees this year. mission, vision, values and strategic Neumann Investment Committee plan. select a new investment manager. Buck’s other key responsibilities DeMarco and his wife Kathleen They bring include serving as system executive of have three children who are in high senior services; leadership and execution school and college. He now finds expertise from in the system strategic planning process himself with more time to volunteer the health care, and related goals and outcomes; and for other causes that are not related aligning her team and resources around to his family. Neumann University is project management Main Line Health’s strategic vision. fortunate to be reaping the benefits of and construction, Buck will also lead the execution of his newfound free time. Riddle Hospital’s master facility plan. and finance arenas. DeMarco, who received his Prior to her role at Main Line Health, undergraduate degree in Economics Buck served as chief operating officer and MBA from Stanford University, and chief nursing officer at Wellspan sees his strengths in finance and will York Hospital, where she focused on bring these skills to the BOT. In his aligning the team to implement a professional life, he is involved with shared governance structure to apply for investment managing and will lend Magnet designation. Before that, Buck this knowledge to the university. As held a series of roles with increasing a parent of college students, he is well responsibility at Bon Secours Health aware of the needs and concerns of System, ranging from nursing leadership this population. to chief operating officer. Buck received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership degree from Old Dominion University.
10 Accent Magazine Brian DiSabatino Pierce Keating Michele Szkolnicki ’86 Brian DiSabatino is president and CEO As president, CEO, and Michele Szkolnicki ’86 RN, FACHE, CMPE, of the 108-year-old EDiS Company, chairman of Daniel J. Keating is the vice president of Nursing Acute and which offers facility planning, design, Company, Pierce Keating is Ambulatory Care at the Milton S. Hershey construction and facility management actively responsible for the Medical Center. Szkolnicki has more than to the Southeastern PA and DE areas. overall management of the 25 years of experience that spans for-profit, DiSabatino has overseen the facilities and construction not-for-profit, private equity and academic planning and implementation of the firm. He represents the third settings in hospital, ambulatory and medical company’s plans for sales, revenue, and generation of the Keating family practice environments in both adult and geographic growth. In the past ten to steer the company as it pediatric medicine. She joined Penn State years, EDiS Company has increased continues to grow and prosper Health from Crozer Keystone Health Access sales from $80M to a high of $175M in the marketplace. Network in Springfield, PA, where she was the while maintaining a repeat business Keating began his career chief operating officer. ration of over 93%. in 1979 as an assistant project She has served as a volunteer faculty For the past ten years, DiSabatino manager, became president member with Drexel University’s Executive and EDiS have joined forces with of the company in 1993, and Leadership in Academic Medicine for the Welfare Foundation and Eastern has led the firm as chairman the past six years and was named one of States Development to form The Town and CEO since 2006. He has the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2011 of Whitehall, a major mixed-use strong expertise in the areas Healthcare Innovation Awards recipients, community of 10,000 residents that of facilities, construction receiving the Nurse Administrator of the began in 2014 and is to be completed management, and campus Year award. Szkolnicki received Neumann in 2044. expansion. University’s John Neumann Alumni Award He is vice chairman of the Grand He is a long-time friend in 2012 and the Nursing and Health Sciences Opera House Board of Directors, a of Neumann University. He Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. director for the Delaware State Chamber has been a generous donor Szkolnicki launched a blog, of Commerce, past chairman of the over the years, and he was the healthleaderlab.com, a site for healthcare Chester County Chamber of Commerce recipient of the Presidential leaders to exchange and discuss ideas with in Malvern, PA and is a member of the Humanitarian Award in the goal of enriching all involved in the Board of Directors of the Delaware 2006 at the Scholarship Gala. conversation. Contractors Association. He is also Attending his first Gala in 2001, She serves on several advisory committees, a trustee of the American College in he has supported the event including the Neumann University Dublin, Ireland. and made a gift to the Grow to Advancement and Visibility Committee of DiSabatino was the 2014 DelMarVa Inspire Capital Campaign. He the Board of Trustees and Strayer University Boy Scouts Citizen of the Year, the is passionate about Catholic Pennsylvania Education Program Advisory 2009 recipient of the Bank of America education. Board. Szkolnicki is board-certified as a Outstanding Community Builders Keating holds a Bachelor Fellow in the American College of Healthcare award, the 2009 Governor’s Outstanding of Science in Finance from Executives and is a Certified Medical Volunteer Award for Healthcare, and Georgetown University. He also Practice Executive with the Medical Group the 2009 recipient of Catholic Charities serves on the board for the Boys Management Association. She is also a past Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award for & Girls Club of Philadelphia and president of the Neumann University Alumni Outstanding Community Service. has served Malvern Prep as a Executive Board. DiSabatino graduated from James former member of the Board of Szkolnicki’s education includes a Bachelor Madison University with a Bachelor Trustees where he is an alumnus. of Science in nursing from Neumann of Science, majoring in Management University and a master’s degree in education Information Systems with a minor in from St. Joseph’s University. Economics.
Winter 2021 11 Alumni Give Neumann a Big Thumbs-Up
After months of planning by University Advancement, the results The broad analysis is of the first comprehensive alumni survey are in, and the results are VERY POSITIVE! as expected — Neumann alumni love their alma mater. The online alumni attitude survey, which took about 20-25 minutes to fill out, was completed by 893 alumni. The 9.26 percent Of course, PEG will provide Neumann with more granular response rate was significantly higher than the national average detail about the various eras of Neumann alumni from 1967 of 7 percent according to PEG Ltd, the firm that worked with Judi to 2020: the university topics of interest, preferred methods of Stanaitis ’07 ’13, assistant vice president for alumni and community communication, popular alumni events, and more. outreach, to create and administer the survey instrument and Information on the next few pages explains the demographics analyze the results. of those who responded and presents the results of some key
questions about the student and alumni experience.
DEMOGRAPHICS: Who answered the survey? Gender
Male Female 26.3% 72.6%
Graduate Degree 17.6% Level Both 7.9% No answer 1.1% Undergraduate Ethnicity 74.5% White 82.9% Black 10.1% Hispanic 2.0% Asian/Pacific Era of Graduation Islander 1.1% Native American/ 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990-99 2000-09 2010-20 Alaskan 0.2% 0.4% 5.4% 7.1% 6.9% 27.2% 53% Other 1.6% No answer 2.1%
12 Accent Magazine GREAT 69.2% Rate your DECISION STUDENT to attend NEUMANN EXPERIENCE Bad 1.7%
GOOD Fair 7.3% 21.8% Rate your EXPERIENCE In which of the following as a ORGANIZATIONS/ACTIVITIES STUDENT did you participate as a STUDENT?
Intercollegiate athletics Residence halls Poor 1.5% Academic clubs Fair 3.2%
24% 21% 20% 10% 29% 14% 18% 20% 15% 5% 10% Student media (newspaper, radio, Music/ Campus TV, or yearbook) Honor Society theater/art Ministry Ethnic and/or Professional cultural groups Intramural, Community or career-related club, or service organizations recreational athletics
How important was each of the following to your EXPERIENCE as a STUDENT?
Academics/classes 96.1% Skills/training for career 91.0% Relationships with faculty 89.6% Relationships with other students 80.3% Relationships with administration/staff 77.9% (Responses Traditions or values learned on campus 74.0% reflect ratings of critically Opportunity for community service activities 61.2% important and very important; Student leadership opportunities 57.6% other choices were somewhat Opportunity to interact with alumni 46.2% important and not important) Attending athletic events 37.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Winter 2021 13 It is critically or very important for ALUMNI TO DO the following:
ALUMNI Identify job opportunities for graduates 88.4% EXPERIENCE Mentor students 80.2% Serve as ambassadors to promote Neumann 77.4% Recruit students 76.5% On a scale of 0-10 Network with other alumni 71.7% with 0 being the lowest, how likely Provide leadership by serving on boards/committees 71.5% are to you Providing financial support 69.1% RECOMMEND Attend alumni and university events 65.6% NEUMANN Volunteer for Neumann 64.5% UNIVERSITY (Options: Critically important, to a prospective Participating in online activities/social media 60.1% very important, somewhat important, not important) student? Attend athletic events 46.2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
9 – 10 YOU are VERY LOYAL or LOYAL to:
(Options: Very loyal, loyal, somewhat loyal, not loyal) 7 – 8 85.1% 85.1% 81.3% 80.0% 71.3% 53.4%
Faculty member/ My division/school Athletics instructor The University My major/degree Organization/ in general program activity
5 – 6 You received EXCELLENT or GOOD preparation for: (Options: Excellent, Current Deepening my good, fair, poor) work status commitment Commitment to personal 86.5% to continuous development education Contributing 86.6% 84.4% to my community Getting a Further 84.9% job I wanted graduate 79.4% education Responding to new career 82.2% opportunities 80.4%
14 Accent Magazine I can wholeheartedly Neumann helped wake Rate your attest“ that Neumann had me up to the value I place CURRENT OPINION much to do with shaping on honesty, genuineness, of Neumann who I am as an adult and spirituality. and a professional. Excellent 67.8% Good ” 28.1% I admire and take to heart the Catholic Franciscan“ values that I learned at Neumann.” Poor 0.7% Fair 3.4% The culture is I have valued the words of “ like no other, Francis, “Preach the gospel at all and no times. If necessary, use words,” since other school Neumann the first time I heard them. provides that. “was the final puzzle piece to ” completing me as a person. I am grateful to the Sisters of ” St. Francis of Philadelphia for opening my Neumann helped eyes to the needs of the poor, oppressed, inspire me to help others neglected people of this world. in the community
Neumann made me realize that there is satisfaction I became a “ in helping those who may need a helping hand. “better person ” all around. ” My mind and way of Alumni Reflect thinking ALWAYS goes back to on Their Neumann “What would Sr. Suzanne do?” Experience
Some of my patients I loved the strong “ have told me I am sense of faith and different from the values Neumann instills other nurses. I learned in its students. how to look at the whole person.
” Winter 2021 15 Campus Ministry Offers Spiritual Resources and More During Pandemic by Patrick McKenzie, Director of Campus Ministry, and Maria Marx, Associate Director of Campus Ministry
When Neumann University pivoted to virtual learning on Friday, tools for as long as the quarantine continued — thus the weekly March 13, 2020, it was an adjustment for everyone. Students, faculty, Spiritual Resources were born and continue to this day! and staff alike were left to navigate a new normal and with it, new Those initial resources were sent during the season of Lent, the challenges. holiest season on the calendar of the Catholic Church, and a time for The Office of Mission and Ministry was no exception. We are sacrifice and repentance leading up to the joy and hope of the Easter a unit that prides itself on radical hospitality and community season. The messages of sacrifice, patience and gratitude scattered building. Our number one day-to-day responsibility is to care throughout the resources seemed particularly pertinent in this for, guide, and engage the students in front of us. Daily, the doors season, and at the time, none of us could fathom that we would be of Campus Ministry social distancing (a brand are revolving doors of new concept to us at the students who are looking time) well past Easter and for a conversation about into the year 2021. everything from academic The Spiritual Resources challenges, to Taylor Swift’s are not a groundbreaking latest album, to spiritual concept; they are a simple, tools for dealing with grief. weekly compilation of Even with an understanding articles, music, prayers, of creative technology games, social justice use, shifting these daily challenges, podcasts, interactions to a virtual virtual events and personal setting was no simple feat. reflections (many shared Additionally, like everyone across the globe who was thrust into by members of the Neumann University community). No amount work-from-home or school-from-home life, we were faced with our of faith-sharing resources can replace the comfort and fulfillment own personal challenges. Initially, Patrick, the director of Campus of in-person fellowship, especially during the turbulent times we’ve Ministry, was sharing a laptop with his wife who also needed it faced since last March, but it is our sincere hope that each week for work, while simultaneously caring for his 10-month-old son, at least one shared resource resonates with each member of our whose daycare had been shut down. Maria, the associate director community. of Campus Ministry, was trying to be patient with her old personal In addition to all of the good work of Campus Ministry, the laptop that up until quarantine had a very low bar of excellence, director of Service Learning and Community Engagement reached while sharing living space (now office space) with a roommate who out to faculty and connected students from various disciplines to was caring for COVID patients daily as an ICU nurse. opportunities for virtual service-learning projects. These service We would be less effective Campus Ministers if we could not projects benefitted the local community and Neumann’s service- acknowledge that our new daily challenges, though inconvenient, learning partners throughout the fall semester. were minimal compared to those who were suffering with this then The ongoing work of the Neumann Institute for Franciscan very unfamiliar disease, those who were on the medical frontlines, Studies continued uninterrupted in providing Spiritual Resources those who did not have the luxury of a living room turned office. virtually for faculty and staff. These programs and virtual prayer So, with gratitude for health and safety and an eagerness to bring services attended by over 160 faculty and staff included topics on the energy and spirit of Campus Ministry into the virtual world, we racism, peace-making, St. Clare of Assisi’s role in our Franciscan had a long meeting to brainstorm the ways in which we could offer heritage and Sr. Thea Bowman’s role as an African American saint spiritual support and community building from afar. for our time. Acknowledging the isolation, nervousness, and spiritual distance The Office of Pastoral Services found new and creative ways that students may begin to feel in quarantine, Maria suggested to virtually reach out to students in specific small group settings compiling a list of resources to send to the university community. throughout these past several months. In hopes of fostering personal reflection and prayer and inspiring Students were also greeted in person from the porch of the creative ways of connecting while apart, Campus Ministry Ministry House as they made their way across campus. Our distributed “God Does Not Need Social Distance: A Spiritual Ministry from the Porch was definitely one of the highlights of our Resource Guide” on Tuesday, March 17. With positive feedback work and we look forward to it continuing as we await the upcoming from our virtual campus, we decided to continue to compile such days of spring.
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Winter 2021 17 Tentative May Plans for Graduation 2020 and 2021 May 16, 2020.
The date was circled on hundreds of calendars, the day when the Class of 2020 would graduate. Families anticipated photos, videos, flowers, balloons, and parties. A mortarboard message flashback from 2019. Then coronavirus took center stage. Of course, the celebration was postponed. But until when? Until May 16, 2021. During September, Dr. Larry DiPaolo, vice president for academic affairs, conducted a survey of graduates from May and August 2020, asking them to choose one the following options: a live virtual ceremony; a collection of small, outdoor, socially distanced events with two guests; or a larger, full ceremony in the spring, virus permitting. “The results are in and over 62% of you have requested a full ceremony to be held in the Mirenda Center in the spring of 2021,” DiPaolo reported in an email to 2020 graduates. “Based upon your selection we are tentatively setting aside Sunday, May 16, 2021 for the ceremony which will honor all Neumann graduates who had their degrees conferred in 2020.” “As with all things,” he continued, “this date is contingent upon our ability to hold a large ceremony and accommodate whatever social distancing rules are in place come spring 2021.” If all goes according to plan, the Mirenda Center will be hopping in mid-May. The ceremony for 2021 graduates is scheduled — tentatively Hopes are high that Neumann — for Saturday, May 15. can recapture the joy of graduation on May 15 and 16.
18 Accent Magazine HOMECOMING 2020: There’s no place like home! Neumann’s Homecoming and Family Isolation, 7 Cups Listener, Hannah R. Saturday night, over 40 cars parked in Weekend is a campus staple, and the Hartwell, Exceptional Care for Children, the parking lot of the Rocco A. Abessinio Alumni Office had no plans of removing Cradles to Crayons, Chester County Building to enjoy a drive-in showing of that staple this year, COVID-19 or not. Food Bank and Birthday Bundles. The Wizard of Oz. Again, thanks to the help While homecoming usually revolves The designer bag bingo event had of the Presidential Ambassadors, each car around connecting in-person with fellow over 155 participants, including Dr. and received a goodie bag filled with a t-shirt knights and family members, this year, Mrs. Domes. Ten games were played and snacks to enjoy during the movie. alumni greeted each other 2020 style, and over ten bags were won, and an “I was so happy with the way everything through masks and computer screens! additional 20 raffle prizes were given went! I think the weekend lifted people’s Activities over the weekend included out. The lucky first winner called out spirits in a time when people are a service project, designer bag bingo, a “BINGO” after only six numbers were experiencing lows,” said Graf. virtual 5K, Homecoming Mass, a low-key called. From the screening of The Wizard of Oz, book club discussion, and Neumann’s first The Presidential Ambassadors helped to alumni taking home designer purses, the ever drive-in movie. to run the event and were “phenomenal,” tradition of homecoming has remained, The Franciscan spirit was high as said Collen Graf ’15, assistant director of and will continue! While being virtual and hundreds of alumni participated in events Alumni Relations and Special Programs. socially distanced proved to bring the fun, over the weekend and showed that, while The virtual 5K was held on Saturday, Neumann is excited to welcome alumni being together was missed, the bond and October 17, and 45 alumni and students back to campus in the future and provide loyalty to their alma mater remains high. participated, including Neumann’s own another homecoming to remember. Charities that were recipients of the Dr. Christopher Haug, vice president for service projects were Letters Against Student Affairs.
Always remember, s no place like home! there’
Families filled the Abessinio lot to watch The Wizard of Oz, drive-in style. Masked Presidential Ambassadors were on hand to help alumni find the best viewing location for the movie.
Winter 2021 19 Nader Muaddi ’05: Award-Winning Distilled Spirits Entrepreneur
A Neumann alumnus from Prospect Park, PA, returns to his own distillery. In modern years, the process of making arak parents’ homeland, Palestine, and opens his own distillery. Creating had been modified to meet the demand for mass production. a spirit native to this land sounds like the premise for a great movie According to Muaddi, the quality of this form of arak suffered. — and one day it just may be. Nader Muaddi’s story is one Disappointed with the state of arak, Muaddi embarked on a of tradition, dedication, determination, and success. mission to kick-start an arak renaissance in Palestine. He started Muaddi, who graduated with a BS in international business, to research the making of arak and made a few small batches to is the owner of Muaddi Craft Distillery, which he opened in 2017. see if people would like it — and they did! His distillery hand crafts a product called “Arak Muaddi.” Arak, a “In 2017, I launched Muaddi Craft Distillery, a boutique milky-white anise-flavored drink, is Palestine’s national spirit and operation that specializes in genuine, handcrafted, small-batch the oldest spirit in the world. arak, under the name Arak Muaddi. My goal was to create arak Muaddi’s desire to major in international business was what that is made with passion, artistry, and respect for heritage,” brought him to Neumann University. He graduated from Interboro Muaddi explained. High School and wanted to attend a university with a strong His first vintage debuted in November 2018 and was made in business school. He had a plan from a young age that he would the basement of his house in Beit Jali, Area C of the West Bank. It return to his parents’ homeland and open a business. In addition consisted of only 480 bottles, but it was a big hit. In fact, it earned to the strong international business skills he learned while at NU, Muaddi also formed close relationships with two of his professors who also had ties to the Middle East — Dr. Arde Shahmaei and Mehdi Hojjat. “I have very fond memories of being at Neumann. The business school was very small, and I liked that because everybody knew everybody,” Muaddi explained. “I loved what Neumann offered me.” Muaddi was introduced to arak by his parents, who were forced to leave Palestine in 1971. His family was fortunate to return in 1991 for a vacation. “That trip really instilled a desire in me to go back,” Muaddi said of Palestine. “It was very euphoric for me and I made the decision when I was 10 years old to go back.” When Muaddi first returned to Palestine, he began working for a human rights organization called the Norwegian Refugee Council, a non-governmental organization that protects the rights of people affected by displacement. “I wanted to help my people. A lot of them suffer from violence, being arrested, tortured and having their homes demolished,” he said. After working for the NRC for a few years, Muaddi realized he wanted to have his own business and turned his attention back to arak. Arak has a storied history in the Middle East starting with its unique distilling heritage. In the Dark Ages, many Arabs of Western Asia and Mesopotamia began to consume the spirit for enjoyment. It wasn’t long before Arab merchants shipped arak to countries throughout the Mediterranean Basin. Nowhere in the world was arak more popular than in its birthplace — Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. “Our beverage of choice was always arak,” Muaddi explained. “I developed a love for arak early on and I really enjoyed drinking it. I came back here (Palestine), and I realized I couldn’t find arak as good as I could back home (years ago).” Through his research, Muaddi discovered that his family had been making the drink for years which inspired him to create his Nader Muaddi ’05 dilutes concentrated arak with Jordan Valley spring water.
20 Accent Magazine Nader Muaddi ’05: Award-Winning Distilled Spirits Entrepreneur Alumni Executive Board Plans
a gold medal at the Berlin International to Expand Engagement Spirits Competition (as well as the title The Neumann University Alumni Association Executive “Arak of the Year”), a silver medal at the Board has joined the Advancement team in accomplishing the New York International Spirits Competition, goals set forth in the University three-year strategic plan. Led and a bronze medal at the London Spirits by Lori (Pellegrino) Smith ’99 ’05, the board will look for ways Competition. to expand alumni engagement through networking and social “I participated in these competitions in events and help interested alumni develop affinity groups. an effort to restore arak’s glory and show my This plan aligns with the mission of the alumni association, people that we have something special that which serves to foster and maintain a loyal and active we should revive and take pride in. Arak is a relationship between alumni and the university. key component of our culinary heritage and Lori (Pellegrino) Smith “I am so honored to serve on the Alumni Executive Board hence an integral element of our national for Neumann University and be a voice for my fellow alumni. It has provided me identity,” Muaddi explained. “It’s just as the opportunity to give back to Neumann while also working to continue the Palestinian as hummus. Yet, arak drinkers mission for our current and future students,” said Smith. are an aging crowd, and I am often fearful In addition to goals and agenda items set in motion by the strategic plan, the that arak may remain nothing but a part of alumni executive board will also use the recent alumni survey results as a compass our past.” for future programming to support, promote and advance alumni success. Muaddi does all of the production of Current members of the alumni executive board are: his arak. He harvests, crushes and presses Michael Criscuolo ’00, Executive Director of Development for Bryn Mawr Hospital Dabouki grapes. Next, he adds local aniseed Joan Curtis ’08, Executive and Communications Assistant at Garnet Valley and then, after a third distillation, he places School District the arak in clay pots to age. “The arak we produce is made according Lashay Davis ’05, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner at Phoenixville Hospital to a traditional recipe and process that has Bryan DeFoney, Jr. ’13, Program Manager at College Possible been fine-tuned over a thousand years by Joseph A. German ’04 ’16, Executive Director at Family Promise of Delaware our ancestors, and those who’ve tried it are County, PA shocked because it’s so different from the Beth Gibney ’04, Financial and Database Analyst at Atlanticare industrial arak they are accustomed to,” Sr. Patricia Hutchison, OSF, EdD ’70, Director of the Neumann Institute for Muaddi said. Franciscan Studies and the Undergraduate Core Program at Neumann University For his first nine years of making arak, Kimberly Masterson ’12, Catering Sales Manager at Intercontinental Hotel Group Muaddi worked out of his home. Now he has Matthew O’Keefe ’17, Account Manager at Curexa Pharmacy moved his production to an old fabric dyeing factory, which he had to renovate. Stephen Pritchard ’19, Cast Member at Disney World Muaddi lives in a section of Palestine Jaclyn Ritter ’01, Director of the Out of School Program at Catholic Social called Area C. Over 60 percent of the West Services Bank is considered Area C, where Israel Lori Smith ’99, ’05, self-employed retains near exclusive control, including over Judith Stanaitis ’07 ’13, Assistant Vice President of Alumni and Community law enforcement, planning and construction. Outreach at Neumann University Most of Area C has been allocated for the Bonnie Stufflet ’73, retired Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at benefit of Israeli settlements or the Israeli Crozer-Chester Medical Center military, at the expense of Palestinian Andrew Wilbraham ’19, Admissions Counselor at Neumann University communities. He lives with his wife, Roula, Sharon Williams ’91, English Language Arts Educator for the Rose Tree Media and their two young daughters Susan and School District Sophia. “I have a very strong connection to this “It is an honor for me to be a part of the Alumni Executive Board at Neumann. place. The fact that my parents were driven I began my journey at Neumann in the late ’80s. While a student here, I learned not out makes me want to stay,” Muaddi said. “I only the skills to help me thrive in my professional endeavors, but I also learned just hope we can live here in peace one day.” valuable life skills that I still hold on to today. I am excited to be a part of this For more information about Muaddi wonderful team of alumni and give back to the place where I learned to be the best Craft Distillery visit www.muaddi.com. version of me,” said Sharon Williams ’91 when asked why she joined the AEB. “I joined the Alumni Executive Board at Neumann University in order to give back to the school that gave me the skills, network, and real-world experiences needed to be successful in my field,” added Bryan DeFoney, Jr. ’13.
Winter 2021 21 Births and Adoptions John Fetsick ’05 is the new Director Class Notes of Finance at University Park Country Club in Sarasota, FL. Anastasia Lewis ’11 gave birth to daughter, Joseph Gabe ’18 was sworn in as Hazel Grace Lewis, Darby Borough’s first new police chief on August 2, 2019. in over 30 years in November 2020.
WHERE Joseph A. German ’04 ’16, has been are you appointed by the Board of Directors of Timothy Moyer ’14 Family Promise/IHN and welcomed daughter, of Delaware County, Mackenzie Rae Moyer, PA as Executive on May 24, 2020. Director in September WHAT 2019. Melissa Neri Kylene Goodman (Smith) ’05 has (Rozumalski) ’17 and husband, Robert Neri ’16 are you been working as a Special Education ’18, welcomed son, Maverick James, in October Teacher at Excel Academy North 2020. doing? since 2019. Nicole Strofe ’18 welcomed daughter, Natalie Stephen Moran ’14 has been Marie, on August 3, 2020. working as a Client Representative Let us know of at TransUnion since July 2019. Jessica Webster ’06 any changes Maria Sotomayor-Giacomucci ’13 and husband, Mike has taken on a new role as the in your life that Webster ’11, welcomed Practice Manager and Trauma their fourth child, Miles you would like Professional at the Phoenix Center Fionn, on June 24, 2020. to share at for Experiential Trauma Therapy in Media, PA. Careers Michele Szkolnicki www.alumni. Frank Altamuro III ’14 was recently ’86, RN, FACHE, CMPE, neumann.edu/ promoted to Chief Financial Officer for has accepted the the MCS Group, Inc. position of vice classnotes president of Nursing Amine Belahbib ’15 has taken a new role Acute and Ambulatory of Chief Executive Officer at Elite Sport Care at the Milton Construction. S. Hershey Medical Center. Keisha Deeds ’18 started a new job on August Regina Tracy ’88 has been appointed 19 at Jeffersonville Country as the Head of Communications Day School in Norristown for the Americas and Performance as a Toddler Teacher. She is Formulations at Nouryon. still continuing her studies at Cabrini College to Continued 0n page 24 become a teacher for PreK through 4th grade.
22 Accent Magazine Alumni Updates Nikolria Grant ’17
Nikolria Grant ’17 was accepted into the physician assistant program at Alderson Broaddus University in Philipi, West Virginia, and began her studies there in November 2020. During her undergraduate years at Neumann, she was a biology major, wellness educator and presidential ambassador. After graduation, she worked as an ophthalmic technician at Wills Eye Hospital for two years. Nikolria also does motivational speaking “to help people move into the purpose that God has for them.”
Mary Kratz ’13 When Mary (O’Malley) Kratz ’13 learned that her aunt was writing a children’s book and needed an illustrator, she jumped at the chance to combine her two loves — early education and art. The creative duo recently published Ella Bella Loves the Rain, the first book in what they hope will become a series.
The 20-page rhyming book follows the journey of Ella Bella as she turns a gloomy day into a day of pure joy. The main character is a sweet, adventurous girl who loves nature and is thrilled to go out into the rain. The book was published by Austin Macauley Publishers, London, England. It is available on Amazon. Kratz and Farrell are currently working on their second book where readers may find Ella Bella at the beach.
Winter 2021 23 Class Notescontinued
George Walley-Sephes ’17 is the Engagements founder of Survival to Success, Inc., and Marriages a non-profit organization committed Alexandra Casper ’18 Chris to breaking the cycle of survival and Dodgson ’16 within underserved, black and brown were married on communities. October 16, 2020. Jillian DeFina ’15 and Richard Jessica Zappasodi ’13 ’20 received her Master’s in Tutak ’15 were married in Early Childhood Education in May 2020. Jessica is now Neumann’s chapel in June 2020. teaching 5th grade special education at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. Alexandria Maurizzio ’14 celebrated her marriage to husband, Phil Thomas, Education on November 14, 2020. Dawn Carpenter ’07 earned her Master of Arts degree In the News in Teaching in August 2020. Elizabeth Alfonsi ’07 was recognized by Janet Henninger ’07 graduated Main Line Today magazine as a Woman with her Master of Education in School of Power in 2020. Beth is currently the Counseling from Millersville University executive director of advancement at Malvern in 2016. Janet is currently working as Preparatory School in Malvern, PA. a therapist in an urban high school in Lancaster with an ultimate goal of Stephanie Landmesser ’86 has been elementary school counseling. named the new president of Neumann University’s Nursing Alumni Chapter. Lisa Riley ’14 graduated from Villanova Charles Widger School of Law in May 2020.
Dr. Joseph P. Caruso ’05, ’08 ✦ Ms. Jennifer L. Drucker ’08 ✦ In Memoriam Margaret Milewski ✦ Rose J. Morris ’79 ✦ Amy Spencer
24 Accent Magazine NEUMANN does remarkable things to help every one of our students succeed.
And so do you — t hrough your gift to
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Winter 2021 25 Faculty Publications, Conferences and Awards
Stephanie Budhai, assistant professor of education, published Nathan Hardy, assistant professor of marketing, published the articles Online Student Support and Engagement: commentary on the best credit cards for groceries in Preparing for virtual programming beyond the pandemic response to a media inquiry for an expert opinion on the in the NASPA Leadership Exchange and Fourteen Simple subject from WalletHub.com, one of the leading outlets Strategies to Reduce Cheating on Online Examinations in that cover the personal finance industry and published Faculty Focus. She participated in the webinar presentation an article in the Hudson Valley Press, a suburban New Impact of Classroom Environment on Teaching and Learning York City newspaper about the job representation index Teamwork in October 2020 and recorded a video interview he developed that showed how Black Americans are titled How to Stop Cheating in Remote Learning. overrepresented in certain occupations, especially ones vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure. Janis Chakars, professor of communications digital media, participated in the following interviews: “Philly Musicians Christopher Haug, vice president of student affairs, Make New Kinds of Protest Songs for the Summer of 2020” presented Four Perspectives on Student Affairs Assessment a by Peter Crimmins, WHYY; “Philly Rising: Benefit Comp, webinar offered through a partnership between Macmillan 19 Notes on a Broken System, Slays and Heals” in Decibel Learning and the Council for the Advancement of Magazine; and “CORONACAST: Neumann’s WNUW Standards in Higher Education in August 2020. develops oral history of COVID-19 pandemic” in Philadelphia Weekly. Leanne Havis, professor of criminal justice, published the chapter called “Active learning strategies for promoting David DiMarco, professor of mathematics, along with intercultural competence development in students” in the Ryan Savitz, professor of mathematics, hosted a virtual book called International Perspectives on Multiculturalism mathematics colloquium in October 2020 and published and Leadership Development: Humanizing Higher “How a river’s length and discharge relate to the Education in September. She also presented twice, once precipitation in its basin” in Sustainable Water Resources on “Crafting racial justice questions within assignments” Management. Savitz presented with sophomore math as part of a panel for an AACU webinar in June 2020 and major, Olivia DiDonato, a poster on “Predicting the another called “Exam Autopsy 2.0: Adapting the post- Outcome of Shotokan Karate Matches” at the (virtual) exam assessment process to improve student writing Midwest Sports Analytics Meeting in November 2020. and promote efficacy for self-regulated learning” at Savitz also co-authored “Education, leadership, and team the Criminology Consortium First Annual Meeting in chaplaincy: why embracing ‘the middle’ is at the heart November 2020. of Catholic Franciscan higher education” in Franciscan Connections: The Cord — a Spiritual Review. Additionally, Etsuko Hoshino-Browne, associate professor of Savitz co-authored with Fred Savitz, professor emeritus of psychology, co-authored “Nature versus nurture of education, “College Athletes & Trash-talking on Twitter” warmongers and pacifists: How regal or kungic societies in the American Communication Journal. are made” a review essay on Warlike and Peaceful Societies: The Interaction of Genes and Culture by Agner Fog to be Devon Ferguson, assistant professor and program director published in December 2020. for social work and Rina Keller, assistant professor and director of field placement for social work, presented a Lecturer James Jordan’s book, Shad Roe, became available multi-session Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training to the in a hardcover edition for the first time.Shad Roe is a staff at the Philadelphia Union in Fall 2020. memoir exploring the concept of forgiveness when child abuse and neglect seem to make redemption and mercy Timothy Hanna, assistant professor of pastoral clinical impossible. mental health counseling, co-presented the presentation Exploring Social Justice and Religion/Spirituality in the Counselor’s Response to Systemic Inequity at the (virtual) Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) Conference.
26 Accent Magazine Faculty Publications, Conferences and Awards Kudos
Christina M. LaVecchia, director of writing across Francesca Reed, vice president for enrollment management the curriculum and assistant professor of English, co- and marketing, was featured in Enrollment Management authored the following publications: “Writing groups as Report, August 2020 as well as several podcasts. feminist practice, Using shared decision-making tools and patient-clinician conversations about costs” from Sr. Linda Sariego, OSF, associate professor of Spanish, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & presented virtually the paper, “The risk of disclosure in Outcomes, “The versatility of a rhetoric and composition Los siete libros de la Diana by Jorge de Montemayor,” at the degree: Tales from former postdocs outside the field” from South Atlantic Modern Languages Association (SAMLA) in The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives November 2020. on Learning, and “Values informing the development of an indicator of appropriate diabetes therapy: Qualitative Barbara Selletti ’99 ’07, library staff, was one of four presenters study” in the BMJ Open. for the Heritage Commission of Delaware County’s Finding your DelCo Roots. Her presentation was entitled, “Genealogical Amy Luckowski, assistant professor of nursing, was part of Research in Delaware County (PA)” in which she discussed the series “Professors” of Faith at Grove United Methodist where to locate local resources for individuals researching their Church and gave a radio interview “Out of Darkness: historical roots in the County. Stories of Survivors” on suicide prevention at Neumann University. Christopher Thawley, assistant professor of biology, co- authored the paper, “Building Natural History Collections for Erica O’Mahony, director of the University Writing the Twenty-First Century and Beyond,” in the August issue of Center, was selected to co-chair the 2021 MAWCA BioScience. It was named Editor’s Choice. (Mid-Atlantic Writing Centers Association) conference this spring. Maria Traub, associate professor of French and Italian, presented a paper, titled, “Préjugés, visibilité et invisibilité” at a Sophia Park, associate professor of pastoral clinical virtual conference for the Southern Association of the Modern mental health counseling, authored “Power to Vote: Language Association (SAMLA) in November 2020. The No Power to Protect” in Women with 2020 Vision: conference presentation was delivered in French. Theologians on the Vote (1920), Voice and Vision of Women, “Navigating Choppy Cultural Waters: Formation Diane Walsh, assistant professor of pastoral clinical mental of Healthy Self-Identity for Korean American Youths” in health counseling, was a panel facilitator for Relationality and Pastoral Care in the Korean American Context, and she spirituality in elemental health at the 2020 Pastoral Clinical was a panelist for the annual meeting for the American Mental Health Counseling Annual Homecoming Lecture Academy of Religion in November 2020. Series.
Anne Ramirez, adjunct instructor and retired associate Karen A. Wientjes, professor of physical therapy, has professor of English, wrote one of nine reflections on been elected president of the American Board of Wound Emily Dickinson and this time of social isolation due to Management, beginning her two-year term at the conclusion the coronavirus pandemic, published collectively under of the November 12, 2020, ABWM board of directors meeting. the title “It will be Summer—Eventually” in the Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin, 32.1 (2020): Mary Beth Yount, associate professor of theological studies, 4-8. Her article “Subversive Spirits: Common Threads in published two encyclopedia articles in American Religious George MacDonald and Emily Dickinson” was published History: Belief and Society through Time titled “Reuther, in the Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin, Rosemary” and “Ryan, John A.” She published a book review November 2020. for the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and also delivered presentations at the AAR annual meeting.
Winter 2021 27 Neumann Save the Date Schedules First Athletics Golf Outing
Neumann University will launch its first Athletics Golf Outing this summer. The inaugural event will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, PA. This will be the first event the University Advancement team has been able to host since Tuesday, June 15, 2021 the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Whitemarsh Valley Country Club “We are looking forward to bringing our Lafayette Hill, PA Neumann community back together, to rally around athletics,” said Fran Walmsley ’06 ’09, director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving. Athletics has been a large part of the Neumann tradition. Currently athletes make up about 18% of the student body with 24 NCAA teams and eight club teams. Presenting Sponsor The funds raised at the golf outing will benefit all of the athletics teams on an as-needed basis. Proceeds will be used to provide uniforms and equipment, support transportation to road games during playoffs, etc. The hope is that this event will take the place of individual team fundraising to create a more strategic fundraising effort. “We want to keep our athletic program vibrant in an ever-changing world,” said Michael Webster ’11, director of Annual Giving. “Athletics create a strong student experience for our students,” he adds. Neumann welcomes golfers with all levels of experience to come out in June and help support Swing Neumann’s athletes. Sponsorship opportunities are your business or organization into available at a variety of levels, including the $500 Hole Sponsor. Already on board are Aerial Signs action with a Sponsorship! & Awnings as the $10,000 Presenting Sponsor and SEI as a $7,500 Golf Flag Sponsor. Visit www.neumann.edu/ Individuals are also encouraged to participate athletics/golfouting at the cost of $230 per golfer.
For additional information or questions, please contact Fran Walmsley ’06 ’09, director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving at 610-579-6288 or [email protected].
28 Accent Magazine Campus Master Plan: A Preview of Possibilities In the midst of a year when a pandemic has made it challenging the blueprint will double the campus footprint and enhance to plan even a few months ahead, the university administration is the university’s mission. looking to the future, creating a 15-year blueprint that will expand The plan includes three five-year segments, with adding space and strengthen all aspects of campus life. for 60-100 resident students, renovating Bachmann and Abessinio The Campus Master Plan, a document still in development to accommodate the university’s four academic schools, and as this issue of Accent goes to press, looks back to 1965 for building a stand-alone student center as the first priorities. inspiration and ahead to 2035 for visionary growth. The Later projects include the creation of a new main entrance to university’s inspiration, of course, is from the courageous Sisters campus, the expansion of event space and conference facilities, of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Their commitment to education, building town homes for students, the construction of an ice social justice, and service to others led to Neumann’s founding rink and all-weather track, and perhaps the addition of an on- in 1965 and continues to animate the campus today. campus hotel. That passion for Catholic education in the Franciscan The focus of this ambitious plan is, as always, to enhance a tradition is the centerpiece of the new plan, the goal of which is values-based Catholic education that transforms lives, celebrates to transform campus during a 15-year period. Based on potential the dignity and worth of each student, and inspires future leaders. partnerships with the Congregation, Aston Township and private Look to future issues of Accent for updates on the progress of organizations, and supported by an upcoming capital campaign, the Campus Master Plan. Non Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #129 19464 One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014-1298 www.neumann.edu
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
DAY OF GIVING Thursday, March 18, 2021
Celebrate Neumann’s Annual Charter Day (Our 56th Birthday)
● Participate in a 24-hour online fundraising event ● Help Neumann develop the next generation of leaders
● Support scholarships, athletics, faculty, or your major with a gift of any amount
Give by visiting www.givecampus.com/schools/NeumannUniversity/day-of-giving-2021