THE MAGAZINE OF MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY » FALL 2019

PATRICK F. LEAHY Monmouth’s new president takes the reins and our questions. page 20

SMOKE SIGNALS What parents need to know about teen vaping. Page 04

SCIENCE OF SUPERHEROES A biological breakdown of Marvel and DC characters. Page 08

SERIOUSLY SPOOKY Alumna studies history through the lens of the paranormal. Page 28 “Together, we have the power to make an impact.”

—Pooja Shah ’19, new alumna and future physician assistant

A few short months ago, I joined over 400 members of the Class of 2019 who made a commitment to supporting Monmouth by donating to our class giving campaign.

When I was a student, it took many people to help me soar, including my family, faculty, peers, and especially, the generous donors who made my Monmouth experience possible through student scholarships.

Thanks to the philanthropic support from alumni and friends, I graduated in May with a degree in biology and am currently studying to become a physician assistant. My student experience proves that every gift, no matter the size, enhances the value of a Monmouth degree.

Together, we have the power to make an impact. Won’t you join me and make your gift today?

For more ways to show your support and make an impact, visit fly.monmouth.edu. [email protected] 866-4MU-1933 ALUMNI monmouth.edu/give

MU Fall 2019 Giving Ad V4.indd 1 9/16/19 4:54 PM Contents Features | Fall 2019

BACKSTORY » Gavin Kane and his dad, Christian, share a tender moment during one of Gavin’s physical therapy sessions. Story, page 40.

20 28 34 40 PRESCIENT SCARY BUT CUBA: A TROPICAL A FAIR FIELD PRESIDENT TRUE SYMPHONY AND NO FAVOR New President Kathy Kelly examines Sixty years after the Christian Kane turned Patrick F. Leahy takes the past through the revolution, Cuban voices a family tragedy into a our questions. lens of the paranormal. tell their stories. greater good.

photo JOHN EMERSON Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 01 Contents Departments | Fall 2019

MONMOUTH » VOL. 39. NO. 1 10 16 44 Monmouth magazine is published thrice annually by the Monmouth University Division of Enrollment Management.

Vice President for Enrollment Management Robert D. McCaig, Ed.D.

Associate Vice President, The Front Marketing & Communications Tara Peters ’94, ’99M currents » RESEARCH & REFLECTION Editor O4 07 08 Tony Marchetti NEED TO KNOW EXPLAIN THIS CONCEPTS Assistant Editor Addiction expert Douglas How to recover from five A biological breakdown of Breanne McCarthy S. Collier discusses the common injuries. your favorite comic book Design & Layout dangers of teen vaping. characters. Dog Ear Consultants

Contributing Writers TIDES » CULTURE & COMMUNITY Pete Croatto Nick DiUlio Kelley Freund 10 12 14 Priscilla C. Gac-Artigas, Ph.D. MEET MEHDI HUSAINI HOW MONMOUTH A DAY AT Leslie Garisto Pfaff Mark Gola From the SGA offices to the WAS MADE THE BEACH Ryan Jones bio labs, the senior is making How exotic birds led to a Sailing still waters and the Melissa Kvidahl Reilly his mark on campus. chapel in Wilson Hall. halcyon days of summer. Molly Petrilla

Photographers PLAY » SPORTS & FITNESS Anthony DePrimo John Emerson Matt Furman 16 18 19 Barbara Johnston Tom Lozinski THE FIELD GENERAL HEAD IN THE GAME ALL THE BEST Peter Murphy Kenji Bahar is perfecting his Senior co-captain Anna Lazur The top five achievements management skills in the class- talks soccer and more. from coach Joe Compagni’s Illustrators room and on the gridiron. storied career. Davide Bonazzi Jeff Carpenter Dan Williams

On the Cover Monmouth’s new president, Patrick F. Leahy, photographed for The Back The Rest the magazine by Matt Furman. Class notes » ALUMNI LIFE Letters, 03. Campus Briefs, 13. Alumni Roundup, 46. 44 56 In Memoriam, 55. THE THE CHANGEMAKER RECOMMENDER 400 Cedar Ave. Gillian Shaw’s app takes pre- Bary Sherman explains how West Long Branch, NJ 07764 natal care into the digital age. anyone can seize the day. 732-571-3489 • monmouth.edu

02 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 letters

Sage Advice Editor’s note: Readers responded in droves to our question about the advice they would share with their college self. Read more replies at monmouth.edu/ magazine.

I have six words of advice that are carved in stone—literally. If you follow the path behind Wilson Hall, you’ll come across a brick with my name on it that reads, “Pay Attention. Someday You’ll Be Tested.” Taken at face value, the message simply means listen in class and pass your exams. The broader intent extends much further. Pay attention to everything you encounter. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Get outside yourself. See the bigger picture. You’ll be sur- prised how much you can absorb Re: Summer 2019 in a single day. Inevitably, life is I loved the issue, especially the going to challenge you in ways “Day at the Beach” photo of you never expected and for which Belmar Beach. This was my beach there is never enough preparation. and always will be. My family and I That’s when you’ll need to draw Let’s lived on E Street for 14 years—ac- upon not just your education and Connect TELL US experience, but all the emotional tually on the hallowed grounds of For more content strength, fortitude, integrity, moral Bruce Springsteen. Our house was and photos, follow WHAT a subdivision of David Sancious’ fiber, and stamina you can muster. Arnold Simon ’72 us on Twitter and family’s property, which also held Instagram: YOU the garage where the band prac- @monmouthumag ticed. I once met Clarence, who Don’t resist change. As the cliché told me, “Your house was bless- goes: The things that scare and THINK ed.” My husband, Jerry, and I are challenge you the most are the retired schoolteachers. Five years things you’ll grow from the most. Email us at magazine@ ago, we moved to New Orleans; Lauren Niesz ’17, ’19M monmouth.edu, or write Jerry is a jazz trumpet player, and this is where he belongs. But what If you’re not from Monmouth us at Monmouth County, give the locals all the waves great memories that photo brought magazine, Monmouth back. they want. Then watch and learn. Susan (Shincarick) Pashin ’70 Ryan Gallagher ’17 University, Alumni House, 400 Cedar Ave., West Don’t take one minute for granted. I was a student when Dr. King Long Branch, NJ 07764. spoke at Monmouth (“Exhibit —@runninggirlkait via Instagram honors MLK’s visit to Monmouth”). Submissions for the At the time, I was surprised he Letters page are subject would speak at a small liberal arts Corrections to editing for clarity and college, but it’s a day I never will We mistakenly listed Sharon (Pitt) forget. I’ve told my daughter and Campagnola ’79 as deceased in length and must include grandson about his speech. Thank our Summer 2019 issue. In July, the writer’s name, address, you, Monmouth, for making that Campagnola wrote us to say that and phone number for happen. she is alive and well. We sincerely Leslie (Stern) Castellucci ’68 regret the error. confirmation.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 03 Currents RESEARCH & REFLECTION

NEED TO KNOW » Topics & trends Behind the smoke screen TEEN VAPING IS ON THE RISE. HERE’S WHAT 1. According to Monitoring the Future, between 2017 EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW. and 2018, vaping increased by 17.6% among eighth INTERVIEW BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF graders, 32.3% among tenth graders, and 37.3% among twelfth graders. ntroduced to the U.S. market in 2007, electronic one very close to them has ever 2. In a 2018 study, re- vaped, 98% of the hands go up. cigarettes were designed to help smokers kick searchers at the Centers the habit by gradually reducing their intake of for Disease Control and I Prevention concluded Is it accurate to say that e-cig- that Juul was largely arettes today are marketed nicotine. But a few years ago, addiction experts like responsible for the steep mainly to young people? Douglas S. Collier ’99M began to notice an alarming rise in teen vaping, stat- ing, “Juul’s high nicotine Absolutely. Flavors like man- trend. While the number of middle and high schoolers concentration, discreet go, orange, and bubblegum are shape, and flavors could smoking traditional cigarettes continued to plunge, the be particularly appealing deliberately aimed at teens, and to, and problematic for, vaping is promoted as “cool.” 2 percentage of teens smoking e-cigarettes (or “vaping”) youths.” It’s also being sold as safer than was increasing rapidly, and there was evidence that the 3. Most so-called “vapes” cigarettes. consist of a mouthpiece, a new cigarettes weren’t as benign as many believed. container for the e-liquid (usually comprising, What are some of the common among other things, fla- misconceptions people have Collier, who worked as a spe- How prevalent is vaping vors; synthetic substances about vaping? like propylene glycol, or cial agent and, later, as a drug among teenagers? the oil derivative known I call my program “The demand reduction coordinator In my field, we use an educa- as vegetable glycerin and Smoke Screen” because those diacetyl; plus nicotine), 3 and public information officer tional tool called Monitoring and a battery-powered e-devices produce a lot of for the U.S. Drug Enforcement the Future, an ongoing study heating element that smoke, metaphorically. A cou- Administration, is an adjunct of adolescent behavior, includ- turns the liquid into inhal- ple of years ago, when we able vapor. “Open-con- professor and director of pro- ing drug use. The jump in va- tainer” vapes must be saw the uptick in use, vap- fessional outreach and engage- ping it recorded from 2017 to filled manually with ing was completely unregulat- ment in Monmouth’s Depart- 2018 was the single biggest an- e-liquid; “closed-contain- ed with regard to adolescents. er” vapes, like Juul, are ment of Criminal Justice. To nual increase in the use of any sold with prefilled (and There was no age requirement help stem the tide of teen va- drug by teens since 1975, when closed) pods. because, back then, the Food 1 ping, he’s spent the past three the study began. I can tell you 4. As of August 2019, nine and Drug Administration (FDA) years educating parents and anecdotally that when I talk states, including New didn’t consider the e-cigarette adolescents about its potential to kids in high school and mid- Jersey, have passed laws a smoking product.4 And even restricting the sale of dangers in a program he calls dle school and ask them to raise e-cigarettes to those 21 though the FDA recently re- “The Smoke Screen.” their hands if they or some- and older. quired vaping products to

04 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 illustration DAVIDE BONAZZI Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 05 CURRENTS carry a black box warning stat- For parents who are concerned “ ing that they contain nico- that their kids may be vaping, tine and that they’re addictive, are there any signs they should A lot of most adolescents remain un- be aware of? parents buy educated about vaping. There are many signs. One e-cigarettes The most common myths is scent: Because kids tend to for their among kids and many of their use the flavored vapes, they parents are that vaping is harm- may smell like mango, orange, kids, and less—it’s not, especially to young cherry, or bubblegum. Another when I ask people, whose brains and bod- involves the devices themselves: them why, ies are still growing—and that They often look like pens or e-cigarettes don’t contain nic- USB drives—you actually charge they say, ‘At otine—most of them do. A lot the Juul in your computer, so least it’s of parents buy e-cigarettes for keep in mind that a pen isn’t better than their kids, and when I ask them always a pen. Then there’s ex- why, they say, “At least it’s bet- cessive thirst. Propylene glycol smoking, ter than smoking, right?” What is hygroscopic, which means it right?’ they don’t understand is that attracts moisture; it dries out What they vaping is smoking. the mouth and the nasal pas- sages. If young people sudden- don’t What specific dangers does va- ly complain of dry mouth or understand ping pose to adolescents? start sipping water constant- is that As I said, most e-cigarettes ly, or if they suffer from nose- vaping Is contain nicotine. In fact, the va- bleeds, they could be vaping. ping system marketed as Juul Another sign is reduced con- smoking. comes with a pod that contains sumption of caffeine. Teens who the same amount of nicotine as normally drink coffee or energy ” a pack of cigarettes, and some of drinks like Red Bull may cut these kids are smoking three to back on them because caffeine five pods a day. Even when ado- can intensify the headaches lescents know that e-cigarettes and nausea caused by nico- contain nicotine, they don’t al- tine. Look out, too, for unrecog- ways understand that it can be nized charges on your Amazon toxic. A lot of vapes, for instance, or other internet account. A lot come with gauges that allow you of vapes and the e-liquids that 5. Propylene glycol (PG) is to regulate the amount of nic- a synthetic liquid used in go into them are sold over the otine they deliver, starting at a cosmetics, medicines, and internet, but the charges don’t higher number and going down food products and in the always identify the products manufacture of polyesters 6 to a lower number. Often, kids and deicers. The FDA has ordered. will say, “Give me the high- classified it as “generally recognized as safe” when er number—I can deal with it.” ingested, but there is no What should parents do if they Nicotine, of course, is addictive, FDA judgment as to its know or suspect that their but too much of it can also cause safety when inhaled. There child is vaping? are indications that inhala- headaches, nausea, increased tion of PG may contribute It’s important to have an open blood pressure, and tachycar- to “wet lung,” a serious conversation about the percep- Is there a role for schools in this? dia, a rapid heartbeat. inflammation that causes tion of vaping versus the reality. Unfortunately, the schools are scarring and symptoms It’s not just nicotine: E-cig- similar to those of chronic The perception among teens is being reactive right now be- arettes contain unregulated obstructive pulmonary that it’s not a big deal—they may cause vaping wasn’t on their ra- disease. Animal studies flavors and other substances— have found that inhalation tell you that lots of their friends dar screen—it came on so quick- usually either propylene glycol of diacetyl can damage are doing it and a few are even ly, especially in middle schools. or vegetable glycerin, which the airways, and the CDC getting it from their parents. So I’m doing a lot of outreach with notes that airborne dia- help disperse the vapor—and cetyl likely contributed to the job of a parent is to discuss the schools, including parent diacetyl, a chemical flavor en- lung disease in workers at a the perception and then the real- presentations and student pre- hancer, all of which may affect microwave popcorn manu- ity: that there’s nicotine in e-cig- sentations. The role of schools facturing facility (hence the 5 the lungs. Another danger name “popcorn lung”). arettes, that nicotine carries should be to facilitate this kind is that so-called “open-con- health risks and is addictive, and of education, so kids understand 6. None of these signs tainer” vapes can be custom- guarantees that a child that there are other substances the risks of vaping. When I’m ized with the addition of con- is vaping, says Collier. in e-cigarettes that can be toxic. done talking to these kids, I put traband like butane hash oil, Parents should be aware The idea is to arm teens with ac- up a slide that asks “E-cigarettes: of their child’s baseline flakka, and MDMA, all of which behavior and watch out for curate information so that they Safe?” The majority get it. They we’re now seeing. deviations. can make an informed decision. tell me: “I didn’t know.”

06 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 EXPLAIN THIS » Answering your burning questions Q: HOw can i recover from common injuries? BY MELISSA KVIDAHL REILLY ou don’t need to be an athlete to suffer from one of these common sports injuries, says Christina Merckx, Ph.D., director of Monmouth’s M.S. in Athletic Training program. Anyone who goes to the Ygym, plays with their children, or works at a physical job is susceptible. We asked Merckx how anyone can quickly and safely get back on their feet.

Ligament Muscle Strains Sprains Caused by overstretching a muscle, Pain at the joint is sign strains feel like a pulling sensation or of a sprain. “Sprains warm burn, sometimes discoloring to a happen when two bruise. Common in people who don’t bones are forcefully warm up enough (think hopping off the separated and the connec- bench at a weekend softball Plantar Fasciitis game without stretching). tive tissues holding the joint together Pain in the heel after sitting or first thing tear,” says Merckx. “Twisting the ankle, in the morning is the hallmark of plantar How to recover: Ice in falling, or overstretching at a joint can all fasciitis, caused by inflexibility in the arch the first 48 hours, lead to sprains.” of the foot. and stretch with slow, purposeful How to recover: Ice in the first 48 hours, How to recover: Fill a bottle of water, movement.* and get some easy movement in.* freeze it, and roll under the feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the injury at bay with *Caution! See a doctor if you lose feeling or function in the joints below the sprain or strain, lose blood flow (if a body part gets tingly or very pale), or stretching, like rolling a golf ball under have excessive swelling. the foot each day.

Shin Splints Characterized by pain in the front part of the shin, shin splints are caused by Tennis Elbow Pain on the outside of the elbow and weak- muscle overuse, inflexibility, and lack of ness when rotating the hand are signs of muscular endurance. “If you’re not wear- tennis elbow. “Holding objects steady, and ing proper shoes, or if you’re running on moving from side to side, causes this,” says hard or slanted surfaces, you may get Merckx. “It gets its name from tennis, but it’s them,” says Merckx. also common in industrial settings where you’re moving a lever, for example.” How to recover: Ice after running. Stretch the calves and warm up with a five-minute How to recover: Take a hot shower and massage the area, but end walk before jogging. See a doctor if the the day with ice. See a doctor if it doesn’t resolve in two weeks, or if pain becomes localized or there is a loss there’s numbness or discoloration in the fingers. of feeling or function. the 10-second ICE OR HEAT? bonus In the first 48 hours, it’s all about ice, which reduces swelling and pain, says Merckx. question Keep it on for 20 minutes, and then wait an hour before icing again. After two days, heat can be helpful for minimizing soreness. illustrations SHOO-ARTS/ISTOCK Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 07 CURRENTS

CONCEPTS » Data, visualized

The Science of Superheroes A BIOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF YOUR FAVORITE COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS.

BY BREANNE MCCARTHY

o wolverines have supernatural healing abilities? Can poison ivy really kill you? These are the types Dof questions that Associate Professor Pedram Daneshgar and Kelly Zimmerman ’09 answer in their panel talk, “Wolverines Don’t Howl: What Comics Get Wrong (And Right) about Animal and Plant Abilities.” Since bonding over their shared interests in the natural world and comics, the ecologists have become a popular attraction at comic conventions, where they discuss what is biologically accurate and inaccurate about some of the world’s most beloved superheroes (and villains). Here, they share the science behind five plant- and animal-inspired characters.

08 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 illustrations JEFF CARPENTER, ADAPTED FROM HIS BOOK, FIELD NOTES: AN ECOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF NATURE'S MARVELS Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 09 tides CULTURE & COMMUNITY

“ Doing cancer research as an under- grad has been a highlight of my time at Monmouth. Meet Mehdi ” Husaini FROM THE SGA OFFICES TO THE BIO LABS, THE SENIOR IS MAKING HIS MARK WHILE LOOKING TOWARD TO THE FUTURE. AS TOLD TO MOLLY PETRILLA

’m a senior majoring in biology with a concentration food pantry for Monmouth stu- in molecular cell physiology. I’m also minoring in dents. The effect on campus has been palpable, and I think Spanish and physics. Keeping up with a major and I we’ve created something that two minors definitely keeps me busy, but I enjoy it— will continue to influence the even if it’s already given me a few gray hairs. culture at Monmouth for a long time to come. As a student researcher with rience has opened my eyes to The walls of the SGA office Assistant Professor Cathryn the things we take for granted— are covered with inspiration- Kubera since my freshman year, and the work that has to be done al quotes by everyone from I’ve been investigating the im- by my generation. Shakespeare to Dolly Parton. portance of a protein called fas- I have already taken the Each president and vice presi- cin in the aggressiveness and MCATs, and I’m currently ap- dent gets to pick something to motility of certain brain can- plying to medical schools. I put up there when they leave. cers. Doing cancer research as don’t know what specialty I Former Vice President Les- an undergrad has been a high- want to pursue yet, but I know lie Valdez and I haven’t decid- light of my time at Monmouth. that I want to balance clinical ed exactly what we’ll write yet, I’ve even presented my research work with a role in health care but we’re leaning toward “Be at the National Collegiate Hon- policy or administration. With the change you wish to see in ors Council, where I won sec- the way things are today, the the world.” ond place in natural sciences at medical field needs good, vo- I’m from East Windsor, New their national conference. cal representatives who are also Jersey, and at first I wasn’t sure From the time I was a child, my physicians. about going to Monmouth—a parents have told me that we’re I’ve been involved in Mon- small school that’s so close to here to help other people. That’s mouth’s Student Government home. Now I tell everyone that part of the reason I work as a Association since my first year, I’ve never been more proud to volunteer interpreter for Span- and last year served as pres- be wrong about something in ish-speaking patients at the ident. When I found out that my life. I’ve found people at Parker Family Health Center roughly 30% of college stu- Monmouth who have become in Red Bank, New Jersey. The dents nationally struggle my mentors, I’ve met friends patients are uninsured, most- with food insecurity, I want- who have changed my world- ly from the Latino community, ed to help Monmouth take ac- OPPOSITE: Husaini is view, and I’ve had countless ex- serving as president pro and some have made it through tion. So last year, SGA started tempore of SGA this periences that made me who I incredible hardships. The expe- The Nest—a University-owned academic year. am today.

10 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo MATT FURMAN Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 11 TIDES

HOW MONMOUTH WAS MADE » Landmarks & stories

sie, Parson had parts of an English chapel—including wooden panel- Withey Chapel ing, four original church stalls fit- A DIVINE RESTORATION CENTURIES IN THE MAKING. ted with seats, and original stained- glass windows set in Gothic arched COMPILED BY BREANNE MCCARTHY frames—disassembled and shipped larence “Walt” Withey first came to Shadow Lawn, the to the States. palatial estate that Monmouth now calls home, in 1933 When the estate was sold and later purchased by the college, the pan- Cwhen then-owner Hubert T. Parson was having trouble eling had been removed and the with his brood of exotic birds. forgotten lounge had mostly func- tioned as a storage unit until Withey Parson’s collection of poultry and At the time, MJC was located at stepped in. game birds included 350 turkeys suf- Long Branch Senior High School, Withey had the paneling reinstalled, fering from a life-threatening dis- but within two years of Withey’s added in new paneling of similar style ease, so he called upon Withey— appointment, MJC gained full col- and color, and purchased nine pews considered an authority on poultry lege status and moved its headquar- from the Methodist Church, in Bay pathology—to help. ters to its current location, on the Head. The pulpit was donated by the After successfully curing the flock, grounds of the former Shadow Lawn Long Branch Presbyterian Church Withey continued to work for Parson estate. and the pulpit chairs came from the through the height of the Great De- It was then that Withey took up Methodist Church in Navesink, a pression. He was only forced to leave restoring the room that the Par- section of Middletown. in 1938, when the estate was hand- sons had designated as “the English On Nov. 22, 1969, the chapel was ed over to the borough of West Long lounge.” Located on the lower level dedicated as the C.W. Withey Chapel Branch for nonpayment of taxes. of Wilson Hall, the lounge had been in honor of the man who restored it More than a decade later, in 1954, incorporated into the original build- to its original use. Withey was asked by the founder and ing plans next to the bowling alley. Today the chapel is used for inti- president of Monmouth Junior Col- A portion of the room’s contents mate gatherings, from poetry read- lege (MJC), Edward G. Schlaefer, to reportedly had origins as part of an ings to small wedding ceremonies, accept the position of bursar at the early-16th-century Tudor abbey. On and for those in need, it provides a junior college. a trip to Europe with his wife May- place of quiet contemplation.

12 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo ANTHONY DEPRIMO THIS IS MONMOUTH » The scene at West Long Branch Campus Briefs

Surpassing and that the film’s director, Gurinder ABOVE: Monmouth Green is good Chadha, visited the archives prior to University ambassador the mark and current senior Angelo filming. Some of the production and Napoli (holding flag) The University is now recognized Together We Can: The Campaign promotional items will eventually be shepherds members of the as a New Jersey Sustainable Class of 2023 between for Scholarship, which concluded donated to the archives, says Chap- events during July's New Business, joining small businesses on July 31, raised $19,644,297 in gifts man, who attended the film’s Asbury Student Orientation. across the state on the New and pledges, including planned gifts, Park, New Jersey, premiere along Jersey Sustainable Business surpassing the initial target by more with President Leahy and several Registry. The University achieved than 30%. “The success of this cam- University faculty members. this recognition through pursuing paign will support our ongoing ef- green initiatives on campus, forts to attract exceptional students such as the development of the from economically, geographically, Monmouth on Sustainability Advisory Council and culturally diverse backgrounds,” (SAC), environmentally friendly said President Patrick F. Leahy. the small screen purchasing, waste reduction, In July, the National Geographic reuse, recycling, energy efficiency, Channel aired an episode of “When and air quality improvements, Monmouth on Sharks Attack” that was partially among other accomplishments. filmed aboard Monmouth Univer- the big screen sity’s R/V Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe. Blinded by the Light, the based- The episode, titled “Jersey Gore,” on-real-life movie about a Pakistani looked at the infamous Jersey Shore A fab win immigrant living in England who shark attacks of 1916 that inspired A Beatles-inspired illustration that finds solace in the music of Bruce Jaws, and examined theories about was commissioned for the fall 2018 Springsteen, includes a shout-out the causes. During the filming, issue of this magazine was honored to Monmouth College (the movie which took place last year, the crew with a bronze Circle of Excellence is set in 1987). Eileen Chapman, interviewed Assistant Professor of Award from the Washington, D.C.– director of the Bruce Springsteen Biology Keith Dunton aboard the based Council for Advancement Archives and Center for American vessel and observed as he and stu- and Support of Education. The Music at Monmouth, says filming dent researchers caught and tagged illustration was created by artist took place in and around campus, sharks off Sandy Hook. Julie McLaughlin. photo ANTHONY DEPRIMO Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 13 TIDES

photo TOM LOZINSKI photo NAME NAME A DAY AT THE BEACH » Coastal moments, captured GOLDEN SILENCE Sailing still waters and the halcyon days of summer off the coast of Manasquan, New Jersey.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 15 PLAy SPORTS & FITNESS

CAREER YEAR Bahar is looking to top his 2018 stats, all personal bests.

ference championship. If you 2,626 do that, other things may come The field passing yards as a result.” A clear strength of Bahar’s is his ability to slow things down general in a hyper-paced environment. KENJI BAHAR IS PERFECTING HIS He is a master of managing his 20 emotions, a skill that he’s been MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN THE CLASSROOM touchdowns developing since Pop Warner AND ON THE GRIDIRON. football. Bahar believes compo- sure is essential to being an ef- BY MARK GOLA fective leader, and he credits Hawks’ offensive coordinator hile earning his undergraduate degree 207 Jeff Gallo with refining his in- in business administration, budding completions nate talents. entrepreneur Kenji Bahar ’19 loaded up “As the quarterback, every- W one is looking at you, so you on as many management classes as he could take: have to showcase confidence Operations Management, Principals of Management and control, especially in the and Organizational Behavior, Logistics and Supply 139.6 most stressful situations,” says passing efficiency Bahar. “I have a responsibility Management, to name just a few. to my teammates to stay calm whether we’re up by a lot or But the classroom isn’t the ing quarterback: Bahar has to down by a lot. It’s the only way sole source of training that manage relationships with the you can lead and to help your makes Bahar an appealing pros- coaching staff, players, and me- teammates manage their own pect should he decide to enter dia. He has to manage a med- emotions. the business world. He is also ley of personalities on the field, “Coach Gallo recruited me about to complete a five-year manage successes and failures, out of high school [Calvert Hall study through which he’s gained and manage emotions. And he in Maryland] and we’ve built a more hands-on managerial ex- has to do all of that with an in- great relationship. He’s given perience than any internship credibly hectic schedule. me a lot of advice on how to be a could offer. Bahar is a college Expectations are high for better leader and a better man.” quarterback—a really good one both the Hawks and Bahar this He’s also made him a bet- at that—and when it comes to year, and Bahar has also had ter player. And so before Bahar developing management skills, to manage those under an in- posts his resume to LinkedIn, he there may be no better training tense spotlight. He was named has unfinished business on the ground than standing behind the Big South Preseason Of- gridiron. His goal is to play pro- center and assuming the role of fensive Player of the Year and fessionally, and his success lead- field general. one of 40 Football Champion- ing the Monmouth offense has “At some point, I’d like to op- ship Subdivision players cited made him a legitimate prospect. erate my own business,” says for the College Football Perfor- “I’m going to work as hard as I Bahar, a fifth-year senior who mance Awards Performer of the can to play as long as I can,” says is now pursuing his Public Year Watch List. Monmouth is Bahar. Service Communication Spe- looking to return to the playoffs, The future is bright with pos- cialist certificate. “I think my a goal that Bahar had a major sibilities for Bahar. He’ll soon greatest strength is being an ef- hand in achieving in 2017. bid farewell to the West Long fective communicator. To be a “All of those preseason polls Branch campus with a compre- good leader, being personable, and watch lists don’t mean any- hensive education. And wheth- talking to people, and getting to thing,” says Bahar. “You have to er it’s between the lines, behind know them goes a long way.” keep your focus on preparation a desk, or in the front office, one Consider these syllabus re- and winning games. Our goal is thing is certain for him: He’ll quirements of being a start- to win games and win the con- manage.

16 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo MATT FURMAN Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 17 PLAY

Head in the GAme CO-CAPTAIN ANNA LAZUR TALKS TEAM BONDING, THE HILARITY OF DWIGHT SCHRUTE, AND LIFE LESSONS. BY PETE CROATTO Welcome to the bittersweet On what it takes to be a great nna Lazur, the reigning MVP of duality of senior year. defender. Monmouth’s women’s soccer team “It’s going to be really hard,” Defense is all about communi- and a MAAC All-Academic Team says Lazur about the prospect of cating, which I’d never been big A never taking the field with her on [laughs]. You have to really selectee for two years running, returned to Hawk teammates once the fi- talk to everyone around you. It’s campus in August excited for the start of the nal whistle blows later this fall. a lot more mental. You have to season and dreading its end. And though the inevitability of constantly have your head on a that moment weighed on her swivel. It’s a lot of keeping your- mind all summer, she entered self organized and making sure the 2019 campaign focused on everyone else is organized. three things: nabbing a fourth straight MAAC championship, On her favorite team hangout. finally winning an NCAA tour- Coach Kylee’s [Flynn] in-laws nament game, and enjoying her have a house on the lake in Den- good fortune one last time. ville, New Jersey. During pre-

18 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo ANTHONY DEPRIMO season, we all hang out there for a day: swim in the lake, pad- dleboard, kayak. That’s a lot of All the best fun. As much as we all love soc- THE TOP 5 ACHIEVEMENTS FROM COACH JOE cer, to not think about it for a COMPAGNI’S STORIED CAREER. couple hours and just hang out as normal people—I think it COMPILED BY MARK GOLA just helps. ow do you approach selecting the top five moments in the On the joys of victory. illustrious career of cross-country and track and field coach There’s definitely no better HJoe Compagni, who retired last summer? You do the best you feeling than winning the way can. The Hawks captured 58 conference championships and produced we do, with our best friends right next to us and being able 25 All-Americans under Compagni’s reign, so the exercise is a bit like to celebrate. Everyone’s just picking the cutest newborn in a nursery. Nonetheless, here is our list happy for each other and for of the five most impactful achievements during Compagni’s 24-year the team. tenure at Monmouth. On the lessons to be learned from defeat. It’s a reminder that we all need 5. 1998 NEC Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Champions All great runs have a starting point, and when the men’s team won the 1998 NEC title, it laid the to try our best every single day. foundation for a Hawks dynasty. Monmouth was an underdog to two-time defending champion It’s hard and it’s tough, but I Mount Saint Mary’s and Rider University, but the scrappy group rose to the occasion. The cham- think it gives us a good reminder pionship came down to the 4x400 relay, and the Hawks raced to a two-point victory to register of what we’re there for and what the program’s first conference title. Monmouth defended their crown the following season and we need to do. won 11 of the next 16 NEC trophies. On how she achieves academic and athletic success. 4. 2000 NEC Women’s Outdoor Track I’m a lot more focused and and Field Champions structured during the sea- 5 Mount Saint Mary’s and Fairleigh Dickinson University had a stranglehold on the confer- son than out of season. Know- ence trophy for a decade. But the Monmouth women rallied to register 125 team points and ing, “OK, I have a game this day, win the first of three straight titles. The Hawks won 10 NEC championships by 2013, includ- we’re going to be away for this ing five consecutive titles from 2009–13. The women’s cross-country team followed with its many days, this is when we get first NEC title in the fall of 2000. back,” it forces you to do the work when you need to do the 3. 2019 MAAC Men’s Outdoor work. 4 Track and Field Champions On what she’s currently binge- The men’s track and field program put an exclamation point on Compagni’s prolific career watching. with arguably the greatest season in program history. Monmouth won its sixth straight The Office. My favorite episode MAAC title by shattering the conference record, amassing 339 team points. It was the high- is the one where Stanley has a est team point total in any conference championship across the nation. heart attack after Dwight cuts off the CPR dummy’s face. 2. Trio Competes at 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships On what success has taught Star power boosts program recognition, and Monmouth has featured its share. Three Hawks her. qualified for3 the national championship meet last spring, the highest number in program history. Coach always says we don’t Allie Wilson ’18, ’19M (800-meter), Corey Murphy ’19 (shot put), and sophomore Danielle Steff have to be here—that it’s a priv- (javelin) all competed at the outdoor championships in Austin, Texas. Murphy and Steff earned ilege to be where we are. I think national honors, while Wilson placed fifth to earn First Team All-American honors, the third that’s something I didn’t really national citation of her distinguished career. get until I got to college. There are so many girls who dream of playing college soccer who may- 1. 70-plus Citations for All-Academic be don’t get this opportunity. Team Honors I’ve just kind of been trying to For 20 straight seasons, the men’s and women’s track and2 field teams have been honored soak it all in and absorb it, and by the USTFCCCA as All-Academic Teams by accumulating a team GPA over a 3.0. The learn as much as I possibly can, women’s cross-country team has been named to the list for 18 straight seasons, and the because I was lucky enough to men’s cross-country team has made the list 13 out of the last 14 seasons. Those incredible make it here. numbers are a testament to placing academics at the top of the priority list. 1 Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 19 20 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 PrescienT President

CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD FOR AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. PRESIDENT PATRICK F. LEAHY EXPLAINS WHY MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO MEET THEM HEAD ON.

INTERVIEW BY TONY MARCHETTI

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 21 Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D., took office on Aug. 1 brimming with unbridled optimism about this University’s future and greeted by a meeting schedule so jam-packed it could make anyone’s head spin. Luckily, the latter could do nothing to subdue the former for Monmouth’s 10th president. Leahy came to Monmouth from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, where during a successful seven-year presidency he led an expansion of that university’s academic and extracurricular offerings that culminated in the one-time junior college achieving doctoral university status. No stranger to success, Leahy also spearheaded a nine-figure capital campaign while serving as vice president of university relations at the University of Scranton, and before that, cofounded and served as president of a 15,000-member distance learning community. When we met with Leahy, four days into his tenure at Monmouth, he expressed little interest in talking about his past accomplishments and was focused instead on the unparalleled potential he sees in Monmouth University.

What have your first few days in office The second was the untapped poten- academic institution. And there is also been like? tial I saw here—from the broad program the Urban Coast Institute and the Kis- It’s been a whirlwind, but one that I mix, which I feel positions Monmouth lak Real Estate Institute, two academic welcome and I’m enjoying immensely. to serve student interests going forward, enterprises that are making real contri- PI’ve been introducing myself to peo- to the University’s location, to the many butions in terms of research and com- ple whom I didn’t have the chance to different assets the University supports munity outreach. And, of course, there meet during the transition, and with that, I feel, can bring increased recogni- is The Bruce Springsteen Archives and those whom I had met before, we’re tion to Monmouth in the future. Center for American Music, which ob- starting to take the conversations viously brings significant exposure to to the next level. So it’s been won- You’ve worked in higher education for Monmouth. My point in saying all of derful. a number of years. I’m wondering if that is that most colleges and universi- there was anything you noticed about ties around the country would give any- Thinking back to last year at this Monmouth that struck you as unique? thing for one of these opportunities— time, before you were selected as What I found so interesting is you take and we have all of them and more. Monmouth’s 10th president, what what is a really fine academic institu- And let me say just one thing about was it that excited you about the op- tion—and I’ll say more about that in a the underlying institution. I have a say- portunity to lead this University? moment—and then you add to it the Di- ing, which people will probably hear re- It was a combination of two things. vision I sports program, which gives us peatedly from me: Great people make One was the rich history of this insti- a chance to compete with universities great universities. That’s because this is tution, which as you know started in across the country and bring exposure such a human-service enterprise. And the throes of the Great Depression as to what we’re doing. Add to that the what was most attractive to me about a junior college to provide academic Polling Institute, where—and I’ve said Monmouth was the quality of the peo- opportunity to students from this this to others before—I’d be sitting in ple I met throughout the search and region who could not otherwise my living room in Wilkes-Barre, Penn- the transition period—people who are access it, and has evolved into a uni- sylvania, and hearing repeatedly on ca- deeply committed to student success. versity committed to making a first- ble news the latest polling coming out of class, private education accessible to Monmouth University. That’s a unique How will you be spending your first students who are deserving. opportunity to shine a light on this fine semester?

22 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 FAMILY MATTERS: President Leahy and his wife, Amy, at home in Doherty House with their children (left to right) Brian, 12; Molly, 18; Grace, 20; and Jack, 14.

Visiting with every constituency of board, faculty, staff, administrators, ate themselves among the 5,000 or so this University and asking them some students, alumni, donors, and members other higher education institutions in fundamental questions about their of the local community. We all have to the country. Monmouth experience, what they band together, and if we do that, then think makes Monmouth unique, and the future for this University is incred- What you said before about Mon- what they see as the challenges we need ibly bright. mouth’s “untapped potential”—does to face as an institution going forward. that give you a degree of confidence I’m going to be showing up everywhere, With regard to the changing demo- that Monmouth is prepared to face but I will be seen more than I’m heard graphics, what do institutions like these changes? in this first semester. Monmouth face? Yes. We need to shine a spotlight on This part of the country is going to see this place so that people across a much You mention challenges, and some of the greatest demographic decline in wider area will understand the marvel- the ones facing private institutions traditional high school graduates who ous things that happen here. We have such as Monmouth seem daunting: want to matriculate into college. So for opportunities to do that here that thou- changing demographics, public con- institutions like ours that right now sands of colleges and universities across cerns over the cost and value of a col- rely on enrolling X number of 18-year- the country just do not have. All those lege degree—are there others? olds, it’s going to get incredibly com- things we talked about that make Mon- Those are certainly the most signifi- petitive. The Northeast also happens mouth special and unique make me cant. Now I don’t say this to alarm any- to be the part of the country with the think we can break out of the pack. And one, but in the coming decade, Ameri- most high-quality, well-respected, and, it’s because my predecessors and the can higher education faces challenges in some cases, wealthy institutions. community made those investments in that I’m not sure this industry has ever So, you put those things together and the past to set us up for that. faced. And while I do have ideas from that’s a challenging market. You’ll have And one thing I’ll add—the demo- my experience on how this institution to try to get more students to travel to graphic changes we’re talking about can face them, one thing I know for sure your location, because if you just serve are high school graduates. There is still is that the only way we’re going to thrive those around you, the demographics a huge market for adults in this coun- is if we all work together. That includes are against you. And it will be hard for try who have some college credits and all constituencies of the University: the colleges and universities to differenti- would like to finish their degree. There photo PETER MURPHY | opening spread MATT FURMAN Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 23 24 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo NAME NAME CAMPUS CONNECTIONS: The president gets a visit from the is also a significant global demand for institution like ours needs, almost other big man on campus, 6' 11" Sam higher education. The question is, can as much as anything, is positive ex- Ibiezugbe, a center on the men’s basketball team. Monmouth reach out to those markets posure. Their willingness to mentor somehow? It’s an open question, and Monmouth students; to interview our until I’ve had a chance to dialogue with students for jobs; to talk about, in a all of my constituents, I’m not about to positive way, their Monmouth experi- say yes or no. But there are things to ence in the networks of which they’re think about if we’re willing to expand a part—that’s all an important part of our horizon a bit. getting the Monmouth story out and getting this institution the exposure Getting back to the other challenges, it deserves. It builds value in the Mon- do news reports of the public’s con- mouth degree and, in turn, adds value cern over the cost or perceived value to alumni degrees. of a college degree concern you? The ticket to a better life in Ameri- You mentioned Monmouth’s founding ca is still, by far, getting a quality bach- as an institution that gave area high elor’s degree, and maybe someday get- schoolers access to educational op- ting a quality graduate degree so that portunities they might not otherwise you can continue to enhance your cre- have had during the Great Depres- dentials and get a better job. So my wor- sion. Do you see the University con- ry is not that fewer people will choose to tinuing to play a role in the develop- go to college. It’s that people will choose ment of the local community? to trade off the value they get at a me- Absolutely. We have an obligation to dium-sized private university like ours continue to be a significant contribu- to go to a huge public institution simply tor to the economic, cultural, and so- because it’s less expensive. cial development of our host commu- When you make a buying decision, nity. By virtue of the fact that we do what you want is the highest value business here, we bring a ton of spend- option available. Some people equate ing into the area. We offer all of our art low cost with high value. But value is a shows and productions and other cul- function of two things: One is the cost, of tural events. And through our research course; the other is what you’re getting institutes and service learning initia- for your money. Every time you’ve pur- tives, we’ll continue to move the nee- chased something, whether you’re con- dle so that, in the process of educating scious of it or not, you’re making a value our students, we can figure out ways judgment. And I would argue that what to improve the social situation in our prospective students and their families community. need to look at with Monmouth is, though we may not be the lowest-cost You’ve spoken before about a commit- alternative, what we provide, through ment to the liberal arts being essen- a careful integration of investments in tial to a university’s success. Why is quality and being careful about price, is this so important for you? the highest value option in our market. You can’t be a true university without an That’s a very important distinction. enduring commitment to the arts. In my mind, the very nature of the term univer- You’ll be meeting with many alumni sity implies a commitment to the sciences as you settle in to your new role, but and the arts, to professional programs for those with whom you might not and liberal arts programs. There are com- yet have spoken, what message would munication and critical thinking skills you share with them? that you learn, and perspectives that That I hope they’ll be a team of am- you gain through your required human- bassadors that can help tell the Mon- ities courses that will make you a better mouth story more widely. What an nurse, scientist, business professional, or

photo MATT FURMAN Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 25 WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION: (Below) Leahy talks robots with Mon- mouth students Anthony Vives, at left, and Jimmy Duong at the School of Science Summer Research Program Symposium. (Right) The president takes our questions in Erlanger Me- morial Gardens. (Bottom) The Leahys pictured at home with the family’s dog, Sasha, and cat, Schmidt.

26 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photos TOM ZAPCIC (top left) | MATT FURMAN (top right) | PETER MURPHY (bottom) math teacher. I wouldn’t feel so confident We love this location. I have roots in in making that case if I wasn’t myself a New Jersey, because for the past 43 product of it. years, I’ve been spending every summer “ at the Jersey Shore. I read that your father, four brothers, and sister all worked in business. Was After What was the first thing you unpacked there an expectation you’d follow the finishing my in your office? same career path? undergraduate I’m not sure. [Looks around, then After finishing my undergraduate laughs.] I jumped in so eagerly I haven’t degree, I stayed at Georgetown and degree, I stayed unpacked anything yet. worked in development. But I had peo- at Georgetown ple encouraging me to pursue a career and worked in Do you have any hobbies? in business. So, I listened to others, and I love golf, but I don’t know if I can for eight years or so I followed a more development. refer to that as a hobby, because in traditional business path—working in But I had order to count it as one I’d have to finance and sales, getting my MBAs. I people do it some minimal number of times don’t regret it. In fact, I think now how encouraging a year, and I don’t get many chances fortunate I was to have those experi- to play. ences because I use them every day in me to pursue my work. But what I really always want- a career in What’s your strategy for balancing ed to do was work in higher education. business. So, the demands of a 24-7, 365-days-a- I always tell students I took a circu- year job with the responsibilities that itous route to landing in the career of I listened to come with being a husband and father my choice, and one of the lessons there others, and of four? is I shouldn’t have let other people in- for eight One of the great privileges of being a fluence me. There’s only one voice that university president is I have the op- students should listen to, and it’s that years or so portunity to integrate my work life voice deep inside each one of them. I followed and personal life. My wife gets invit- That’s the most authentic voice, and it a more ed to a lot of University functions. I took me a few years to listen to mine. can take my kids to athletics and arts traditional events, or walk my dog on campus, When you were announced as Mon- business path— and in a way cover both my commit- mouth’s president, you thanked Uni- working in ments to my family and my job. Not versity of Scranton President Scott finance and every organization head is afforded Pilarz for his role in helping you re- that opportunity. turn to your career of choice. What sales, getting Another one of my mentors, a highly has his mentorship meant to you? my MBAs. I successful business executive, once I think what mentors do for their pu- don’t regret told me you can do two things in life pils, if you will, is they believe in you in really well, but it’s hard to sometimes a way that you don’t believe in yourself. it. In fact, I fit that third thing in. His point was, They give you opportunities that, in a think now how you can be totally engaged in your job funny kind of way, you may or may not fortunate I was and be a great father and husband. But think you deserve or have not yet earned. if you commit to those two, it might But because they believe in you so much, to have those crowd out that third—let alone a fourth they give you opportunities to perform. experiences or fifth. So, if I never push my golf That’s what Scott Pilarz did for me. I because I use handicap any lower, I’ve made peace don’t have the chance to be a university with that. president without him. them every day in my work. But Last question: If you bumped into a What personal accomplishment are what I really prospective student right now, what you most proud of? always wanted would you say to convince them to Probably earning my doctorate from come to Monmouth? the University of Pennsylvania while to do was We have a program mix that allows you working full time and having four chil- work in higher to explore whatever your interests are. dren, ages 1 to 7, at home. Frankly, it education. We have a physical plant that is second makes me think they should have given to none. And we have a culture of dedi- my doctorate to my wife, Amy. ” cation to student success that is not eas- ily replicated at other institutions. Do How is your family adjusting to the yourself a favor and take a close look at move? Monmouth.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 27 28 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 FOR KATHY KELLY, THE PARANORMAL IS A FACET THROUGH WHICH TO EXPLORE THE UNCANNY AND UNEXPLAINED ASPECTS OF OUR SHARED HISTORY.

BY NICK DIULIO PHOTOS BY MATT FURMAN

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 29 hree years had passed since Kathy Kelly first opened Paranormal Books & Curiosities in Asbury Park, New Jersey, when she stumbled upon something extremely offensive in the summer of 2011. To be sure, the shop was doing very well. Drafting off the burgeoning revival of the formerly beleaguered shore town, Kelly had managed to coalesce her lifelong passion for folklore and paranormal phenomena into an experience that catered to a diverse demographic that included die-hard believers, incredulous skeptics, and everyone in between. Not only did she specialize in selling an extremely varied collection of more than 4,000 books concerning all manner of supernatural experiences, but she also curated a second-story Paranormal Museum comprising dozens of haunted and historic artifacts from around the world, and hosted regular ghost tours of downtown Asbury and its storied boardwalk. “Asbury Park was just such a unique place back then. Such a Wild West of a town,” recalls Kelly from the cozy confines of her dimly lit shop on Cookman Avenue, which feels like an ancient, whimsical village library from a fantasy novel. “If I hadn’t stumbled upon Asbury Park at the time, I don’t know that I would have been inspired to open this anywhere else. Because back then, you could still see all of Asbury Park’s scars, and no one thought twice about a paranormal shop opening downtown.”

Life, in short, was good. But then Kel- ral. Sure, she’s been aesthetically drawn ly came across an article written by to hauntings, Gothic literature, ghost Missy, a haunted doll that giggles someone from the Monmouth County stories, and paranormal artifacts for as and moves, and artist Tony Historical Society wherein the author long as she can remember, but her fas- DeBartolis’ interpretation of H.P. Lovecraft’s monster Cthulhu claimed ghost tours were “the prosti- cination with these things is less about (above) are two of the oddities tution of history.” And that was some- reaching beyond the veil of the physi- housed in Kelly’s museum. thing Kelly simply could not abide. cal world and more about exploring the “I was just so offended by that,” says Kel- uncanny and unexplained in an effort to ly, leaning into the sentiment with sig- better understand this strange, shared nature animation and impassioned ar- aspect of our humanity. ticulation. “Look, I don’t care if you’re a “Ultimately, I always saw myself as an believer or not. That isn’t the point. Ghost historian. A folklorist. It’s just another tours are storytelling tours where you facet through which we can look at histo- are trying to inspire people to think be- ry,” says Kelly. “It’s no different than the yond dates and facts and this notion that way you might look at art or religious or history is some kind of linear movement military history. It’s just one more way through time—because it’s not. I thought that people link different times together.” they were a good thing, and that’s what And Kelly opened her shop and muse- made the article so profoundly insulting.” um as an attempt to share that philoso- And in the context of Kelly’s ethos as a phy with the rest of the world. So when lifelong student of paranormal history, she stumbled upon the disparaging her ire makes perfect sense. As one who quote about ghost tours, she immedi- admittedly “sits more closely with the ately took action and enrolled as a grad- skeptics than the believers,” Kelly has uate student in Monmouth University’s never been interested in professing or history department in 2013, eventually proselytizing a belief in the supernatu- earning her master’s in 2017.

30 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 “Part of it was to legitimize myself, sure. But getting my master’s degree also afforded me a certain confidence in how I communicate this subject mat- ter,” says Kelly, who also hosts a week- ly podcast called Paranormal Tales from the Tower. “I do think there’s a certain amount of bullying or intellectual elit- ism when it comes to the paranormal. There’s this idea that you’re some kind of hillbilly if you believe in this. But just because you have an interest in some- thing that other people aren’t interest- ed in is not an indication of your intelli- gence or value. And I want to make that clear to as many people as possible.”

FROM POE TO POLTERGEISTS henever Kelly is asked to pin- dren, Kelly could often be found with her “I wound up winning the scholarship point the moment she fell in face buried in a book of Edgar Allan Poe but hadn’t even applied to the school,” Wlove with the paranormal, she stories or writing her own works of fic- says Kelly, whose parents were both often winds up saying, “I was born this tion, which included a play written when first-generation Irish immigrants who way. But growing up across the street she was seven about a little boy who be- hadn’t given their daughter’s college ed- from a graveyard certainly didn’t hurt.” friends a spooky gang of ghouls living in ucation a second thought. “So I kind of When Kelly was 6, she and her fami- his attic. It was simply called Monsters. had to work backward, which is sort of ly moved from a modest apartment in “I still say that’s the best thing I’ve ever indicative of how so much of my life has Jersey City to a sprawling farmhouse written,” says Kelly with a laugh. “I just progressed.” in Glen Ridge. As the sixth of eight chil- had a really wild imagination, which After earning an undergraduate degree was kind of a necessity when you have in literature in 1991, Kelly went on to seven brothers and sisters. But I also work for her father, who had launched had this constant sense that there was a satellite company out of East Orange so much more to this world than what that rebroadcast news and sports for we see, and those possibilities were so U.S. immigrants living in New York and amazing to me.” New Jersey. For nearly 20 years, Kelly The family’s move to Glen Ridge was was in charge of market development, foundational to this budding sense of specializing in the sport of cricket. But expansive awe. During her early child- by 2007, the company had been sold to hood in Jersey City, Kelly recalls that a larger corporation, and Kelly felt as her “whole world was a single city though she’d reached the pinnacle of block,” which couldn’t have contrast- her broadcast experience. ed more starkly with the rural sprawl “So I decided to leave,” says Kelly. “And of her new farmhouse and its property, I didn’t have a plan. I was kind of adrift. which included countless trees, a Revo- But it was a friend of mine who said, lutionary War–era cemetery across the ‘Whatever you do, you have to do some- street, and a yawning backyard over- thing with the paranormal.’ And that grown with tall weeds and grass, under made sense. It really was the only thing which, Kelly dreamed, forgotten grave- since my childhood that was a lasting stones were hidden from the world. passion for me.” Interestingly enough, Kelly never Taking a page from her broadcast considered making any sort of career marketing experience, Kelly pulled from her paranormal passions. She ratings data on basic cable shows hadn’t even considered attending college that year and discovered that there until she found out her Glen Ridge were more hours of original program- High School guidance counselor had ming devoted to the paranormal than submitted her name for a four-year anything else except Major League scholarship to Ramapo College. Baseball.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 31 32 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 “I realized that there were a lot of peo- shred from the flag that was draped over ple out there consuming the paranormal his coffin. And indeed, the cumulative like me, so I decided to give them a des- effect of it all can bring a chill to one’s tination that would appeal to their pas- spine. But for Kelly, it’s all just a con- sions,” says Kelly, adding that she orig- duit for those who want to experience inally wanted to call her shop House of the past in unique and oftentimes per- Spirits. “But the marketer in me was nev- plexing ways. er happy with that. It felt like too much of “She really is like an historian, but a statement or a belief. So at the very last she’s also an entertainer and she tells minute, I changed it to Paranormal Books such captivating ghost stories with a re- & Curiosities, and this place was pretty ally good sense of humor,” says Mon- much the first of its kind.” mouth lecturer Brooke Nappi, who teaches a course called Magic, Witch- craft, and Religion. “I particularly love supernatural, that during her ghost tours of the board- walk and downtown she talks about the Super serious way places can sometimes hold mem- t may come as a surprise to most, ories if they’re important to people. It but Kathy Kelly has only ever seen feels very magical, but at the same time I one ghost in her lifetime. Kathy works very hard to avoid any kind It was the summer of 2010, and Kelly of ‘new age’ label.” was visiting the historically haunted To be sure, Kelly doesn’t shy away Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadel- from deep dives into heady conversa- phia as a member of a small paranormal tions about the broader existential im- research group. As midnight approached, plications of supernatural phenomena. Kelly and her colleagues gathered their For instance, she’s fond of saying that equipment and prepared to leave. Just everyone, to one degree or another, then, with the moon shining bright- is drawn to the paranormal because ly through an enormous skylight, Kelly “there’s an inevitability to our experi- looked up to a second-story catwalk and ence as humans. We will know whether saw an immaculately dressed female we exist after death or not, but we’re figure duck under a doorway to stand on just biding our time. It’s literally the the walkway for a few seconds before she only question that matters, individual- disappeared. ly, and it’s the only question that we will “It’s very difficult for me to even tell 100% eventually get an answer to.” this story as a skeptic, but at the end In a world where popular culture of the day…I think I saw a ghost,” says seems increasingly intent on construct- Kelly, whose remarkable talent for sto- ing binary boxes into which one must fit rytelling is as integral to her success as his or her identity, Kelly’s elusiveness of her exhaustive knowledge of all things classification is an exceedingly refresh- paranormal. “I don’t like to even say it ing and stimulating quality. Because for out loud because it moves me from one her, whether or not someone holds su- category to another, but I would be a pernatural convictions isn’t nearly as liar and a coward if I didn’t.” important as the fact that the entirety This is the essence of the fascinating of human history has been undeniably space Kelly occupies with her work—a shaped by countless encounters with delicate balance between competing the uncanny, the creepy, and the unex- forces of rational skepticism and ag- plained. nostic wonder about the possibilities “Don’t the actions of the past contin- of all we do not yet know. Sure, Kelly’s ue to haunt us in a certain way? Isn’t shop contains all the requisite tomes there something profoundly wonder- one might expect on topics like past ful about that?” says Kelly. “I’ve never life regression, hauntings, and com- seen Lincoln’s ghost, but I still feel his muning with the dead. And yes, the mu- presence in certain places. And to me, seum comprises all manner of creepy that’s history. It’s not dusty and old! It’s and unnerving artifacts—a shrunken that welling up of emotion you get head, unexplained ghost photos, a wall when you realize you’re just a drop in a of supposedly possessed Ouija boards, a stream. I think we need more of that. witch’s cauldron passed down through And to me, this shop and museum are several generations, and a piece of the perfect way to help others experi- Abraham Lincoln’s hair along with a ence it.”

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 33 a tropical

SIXTY YEARS AFTER THE REVOLUTION, CUBY PRISCILLA C. GAC-ARTIGAS, PH.D. BA

34 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 a tropical symphony

CUBAN VOICES TELL THEIR STORIES. CUBILLUSTRATIONS BY DAN WILLIAMS A

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 35 Upon my arrival at the José Martí

International Airport,

I was struck with a realization: I had been invited to Cuba to present my But the overwhelming committed love research on innovative ways of teaching for the word; for literature, culture, and Cuba lives and moves at a literature, and so when I arrived in the education; and for the construction different pace; it vibrates with island nation last June, the conference, of people’s cultural identities spread VII Taller Internacional de la Enseñan- harmony through the symphony of a singular rhythm. If you za de las Disciplinas Humanísticas: “Las voices. As a fellow researcher1 noted want to get a sense of the real humanidades y la identidad cultural en in her presentation on Cuban poet el siglo XXI” (Humanities and Cultur- and statesman José Martí, in Martí, Cuba, you have but to adapt al Identity in the 21st Century), was my “teaching and real education intertwine to those tempos and embrace first stop. There, the tongues of present- with the struggles for the improvement ers from Cuba and around the world, as of the human race.” Martí’s thoughts the flexibility, openness, and well as of those of the audience mem- indeed represent the continuation of a richness of the unexpected. And bers, were unleashed, and voices of sun- humanist heritage that considers edu- of course, you need to know dry colors and textures jumped from the cation as a basic human right, essential papers to the open space of the Améri- to progress and individual and political how to listen. The country is a cas Convention Center. Some of them— freedom; his voice could not be left out symphony of voices that assault sounding out the reactions—whispered, of a conference highlighting the impor- while others were more open to speak- tance of the humanities, education, and your senses at every level and ing out about the need for critical think- strategies on how to reach the goals of in every context, but you must ing, of a more creative and disruptive the adopted United Nations Global Ed- approach to teaching literature and the ucation 2030 Agenda of “ensuring in- enter the concert with ears wide humanities. The worn-out voices of clusive and equitable quality education open so you can distinguish those who advocated for the status quo, and promoting lifelong learning oppor- those who, fearing changes, sought shel- tunities for all.” Martí’s words would be the different instruments and ter in past rhythms and melodies, could foremost on my mind throughout my intertwined melodies. also be heard. journey through Cuba.

36 MONMOUTH Fall 2019

Voices outside academia esides being heard, Cuba’s voic- es can also be seen. They scream Bfrom the wounded walls of an- cient palaces and exclusive buildings in old Havana, which today is home to the poorest of the poor in Cuba—those or- phans of relatives in foreign countries, hence without access to foreign mon- ey, or those who left the countryside in search of better opportunities, some- times three generations of families liv- ing in the same room. They scream, with dignity, for help, for the end of the suffer- ing, for the right to dream of a better life and the means to make it happen. The other buildings, the ones that have been renovated after the foreign invest- ment was approved, serve as lodging for tourists who go to Cuba not to get to know the people, but to witness “the end of a revolution”; those buildings ut- ter a different discourse. Cuban voices spoke to us from the bril- liant colors of the classic postcard cars of the ’50s, their drivers inviting you to take a trip back in time; from the old Havana; from the Vedado—the modern part of the city, its central business district and most affluent part; from the Hotel Nacional, which in the mid-’40s hosted Lucky Luciano and other mobsters; from the Plaza de la Revolución, or Rev- olution Square, where Fidel Castro used to address Cubans and political rallies still take place; from John Lennon Park, which in the ’60s sheltered the voices of young Cubans who dared to dream with him of a “life in peace,” disobeying their government’s prohibition on the Beatles’ music; and from the malecón, where Cubans of lesser means go to kill hot summer nights with families, or to fish, or to sell whatever they can to survive: cheap handicrafts, eggs, or raspados, a kind of slush with tropical syrups.

The people’s voices nd while showing the landmarks, the chauffeurs—sons or grandsons Aof original revolutionaries—add their notes to the symphony of voices. While thanking the revolution for what it gave them—free education and medical coverage—their voices become gloomy and sour recognizing that they earn more as taxi drivers than as engineers, doctors, or lawyers. And they fear the

38 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 effects of the embargo, and Donald only day she could meet with me. I was Trump’s latest measures prohibiting torn between meeting with her or going the entrance of cruise ships to Havana, to the discovery of a treasure. I opted for which decimated the number of tourists the second, and do not regret it. After all, visiting the island, but also the internal I can eventually meet with Nancy at any embargo imposed by the restrictions other professional meeting, but I will per- of the Cuban government. They love haps never have another opportunity to their country; they do not want to leave, visit the premises of Ediciones Vigía, an but they dream of a better life for their independent publishing house located in children and for more freedom to make Matanzas, Cuba. that happen. Ediciones Vigía specializes in hand- At the impressive and breathtaking made books. Its artisans use collaged Revolution Square, a mandatory stop in and repurposed materials such as recy- any visit to Cuba, we were surrounded by cled paper, buttons, yarn, fabric, dried voices coming from every corner of his- leaves and flowers, and pebbles to put to- tory. Presiding, the Cuba of the Indepen- gether a limited number of volumes—a dence was embodied in the monument maximum of 200 copies of each title are of Cuban national hero, José Martí. Fac- published. Today, these books are part of ing Martí, enclosing the area where peo- the collections at New York’s Museum of ple who make history stand for political Modern Art and the Beaubourg in Paris, rallies, images of revolutionary heroes to name but two. These books of unique were embroidered with one of their id- colors and textures make us hear the iosyncratic quotes: Camilo Cienfuegos voices of both Cuban and international with “Vas bien Fidel” (“You are going authors. Inside Ediciones Vigía, Martí’s down the right path, Fidel”) and el Che omnipresent voice was calling me, as it with “Hasta la victoria siempre” (“Until called me from the José Martí Interna- victory always”). To the right was the re- tional Airport, or the José Martí Nation- markable National Library José Martí, al Library, or the José Martí monument home to Cuba’s and the world’s literary in Revolution Square, from the voices of and intellectual heritage, where they the balseros, Cubans who lost their voic- gladly accepted copies of some of my es and their lives fleeing the country in books, a humble contribution. search of a better life for their children. The silent voices of Cubans absent I bought two bilingual books by Martí, from the Revolution Square, the ones of not only because he represents a pala- the geologists, pharmacists, attorneys, din of humanism, freedom, social jus- and so many other professionals with di- tice, and education as means to build a plomas from the Universidad de La Ha- more humane society, but because he bana, could be heard across the square. embodies many of the voices of Cuba There, people waited at the bus station and Latin America, including a literary to tend to their daily business as tenants, heritage that still informs us. waiters or waitresses, managers, or even On the plane home, while pondering my as owners of an apartment for rent or a experiences listening to the Cuban voices, paladar (small restaurant) after Raúl whether coming in words from the peo- Castro legally authorized the cuentapro- ple or in screams from the buildings, pistas (self-employed workers or literal- parks, and squares, I kept wondering: ly, “on your own-ists”). Voices that, like What will be the subsequent movement the taxi drivers’, expressed their sweet of this ever-changing symphony? Where and sour feelings for life in Cuba, their are all those voices heading to? satisfactions and disappointments, their expectations and lack of hope. Voices in- terrogating Cienfuegos: When did we ABOUT THE AUTHOR Priscilla C. Gac-Artigas, Ph.D., is a professor of lose the path? Which is the right path? Spanish and Latin American literature at Monmouth University, a Fulbright scholar, and a correspondent member of the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española. Her attendance at the International Arts and Literature Conference Humanísticas in Varadero, Cuba, and her further research in Havana, was made possible in part through a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning couple of days before I arrived mini-grant from Monmouth University’s Center for in Cuba, the national poet Nan- Excellence in Teaching and Learning. A cy Morejón, a longtime friend, NOTES was leaving for Ecuador, returning only 1 Lourdes Díaz Domínguez, professor of literature at on the last day of the conference, the the University of Matanzas.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 39 A fair field and no favo r

ABOVE: Christian Kane stands on the future site of the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams at the Ocean Orthopedic Associates Complex.

40 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 A fairWHEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT LEFT HIS SON SEVERELY DISABLED, CHRISTIAN KANE SET OUT TO CREATE A FACILITY WHERE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN EXPERIENCE THE SIMPLE JOYS OF CHILDHOOD. HIS VISION IS field FINALLY BECOMING A REALITY. and no

BY RYAN JONES PHOTOS BY JOHN EMERSON

favohere have been constant r reminders since the accident of what Mary and Christian Kane ’94 are up against— of the relentless series of challenges that come with parenting a child with a severe disability—but some T are more memorable than others. Perhaps the most impactful reminder ground with little more than, as Christian came on a spring day two and a half years puts it, “some rubber flooring and a big ago when Mary brought her then-6-year- red chair swing in a corner.” They talked, old son Gavin to an “all-inclusive” play- and they realized that what they needed ground not far from their home. Trying to was a facility that would let children and lift Gavin into the accessible swing seat, families thrive—a place, Christian says, she became aware that other children and “where caretakers can network, and feel parents were watching her struggle. “And typical, and see their loved ones do things she looks up,” Christian says now, paint- they never thought they could do.” And ing the scene, “and everyone puts their somehow, despite having no experience heads down.” It wasn’t only the play- or training in such things, they decided ground equipment that was insufficient; they’d do it themselves. it was an environment that ensured they Themselves, yes, but hardly alone. were outcasts. That decision, to create an oasis for It was around that time the Kanes de- children like Gavin and families like cided that they, and Gavin, and every theirs, evolved into a mission that is other family facing similar obstacles de- now becoming a reality. This fall, the served better than an all-inclusive play- first phase of the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams at the Ocean Orthope- built an accessible playground next to dic Associates Complex is set to open in their home, and Gavin loved it; he rec- Toms River, New Jersey, the culmina- ognized his parents, he began to sit up, tion of countless hours of dreaming and he smiled. There were trips to an all-in- planning by the Kanes, and their almost clusive community playground, and as compulsive insistence on getting help he got older, the Kanes became aware of from everywhere and everyone they the ticking clock: Mary, now with a baby could. And this is how Christian has daughter in tow, wouldn’t be able to lift spent every spare moment since, ask- Gavin into that swing forever. And then ing and pleading and cajoling to get the it happened—that frustrating, unfor- land, time, and money needed to make gettable moment in the spring of 2017, the dream come true. and the Kanes’ mission came into focus. It’s for Gavin. Doing less was never an At first, it was going to be an all-inclusive option. baseball field—hence the name—but the idea quickly evolved and expanded into an entire complex with a ballfield; an ac- he beer delivery truck was ful- cessible playground; a walking path with ly loaded when it smashed rehabilitative stations; courts for basket- Tinto the back of Christian’s ball, bocce, and shuffleboard; a snack bar; car on that July day in 2012. Gavin, and a pavilion. There will be accessible 19 months old, was in the back seat; sports leagues, concerts and other spe- when Christian got to his son, he was cial events, and volunteer opportunities bleeding heavily and not making a for local students. And running through sound. An ambulance arrived quickly, it all is a sense, intangible but invalu- taking Gavin to Community Medical able, that this is a place where, as Chris- Center, where Christian called Mary, tian puts it, “Caregivers can go and sit on who was then four months pregnant a bench and know that the person on the with their sixth child. Gavin’s skull left or right of them is in the same boat. was completely fractured; he’d suf- Nobody’s going to be staring at you.” fered traumatic brain injury. Doc- To the best of the Kanes’ knowledge, tors told Christian they needed to fly there is no other complex like it in Gavin north to Jersey Shore Univer- the country. sity Medical Center for emergency There was no doubting the beau- surgery to reduce the swelling on his ty of the concept, no questioning the brain and, they hoped, save his life. need. The only question was how to They did, and Gavin began a slow re- accomplish it. A lifetime of teaching In retrospect, that was the easy part. covery, but it wasn’t clear what kind of and coaching had taught Christian Raising a little more than $2 million life he would ever be able to have. He how to pull the best out of people, but would require a bit more effort. spent the next two months in the hos- not how to pull money and resources And so, even as he maintained his pital, during which time his progno- from companies and municipal gov- full-time teaching gig, Christian dove sis became clear: His mind was healthy, ernments. He knew he had one thing into the task, eventually finding three but the accident had severed the neural going for him: a story. He would tell it engineering and construction firms connections that enabled him to con- to whomever would listen. that were willing to take on the job— trol his body. He faced massive limita- He started with Toms River Town- in the end, donating nearly $1 million tions. Doctors told Christian and Mary ship, banking on that story, and on worth of time, labor, and equipment. to look into a facility where Gavin could his reputation as a well-known edu- The rest of the money has come in live. Mary said no. They would bring cator in town. Before anything else, chunks both small and large, drummed their son home. he needed land, and he says the town up through Christian’s tireless speak- While Christian continued work- was “open to it right away—when I ing gigs in front of whoever will have ing at Toms River High School North, told them it was going to cost zero dol- him—“every Rotary and Kiwanis, ev- where he’s been a math teacher for the lars,” he says with a laugh. “They were ery 55-and-over community,” he says. last 13 years, Mary quit her job to be- very receptive to that.” The township There have been fundraising events come Gavin’s full-time caregiver. They promised 3.1 acres at Bey Lea Park. and a GoFundMe page. He’s sold nam-

42 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 “I think you live on through your children, and in a way, this Field of Dreams is a part of me that will never die,” says Christian Kane, pictured here with his son, Gavin. ing rights to nearly everything in the For Mary, it’s all been rather fasci- it would take five to seven years,” he park. (At press time, the Kanes were nating to watch. “I think this brought says. “I told them, ‘I don’t have time about $161,000 short of covering the something out in him,” she says of her for that.’” total cost of the project.) husband. “He’s always been a focused And Gavin? He knows what’s coming, Local corporations have stepped up, individual, but I don’t think there’s knows his own wait is almost over. too, with Jersey Mike’s among the ear- ever been anything like this I’ve seen He’s seen the site, seen the render- ly adopters. A funny story, that one. him chasing, something that he’s so ings, heard his parents talk about all “I just Googled what the CEO looked passionate about.” that’s gone into bringing this park to like and where his office was,” says She doesn’t need to wonder about life. His excitement fuels everything Christian. “Then one day I drive to his motivation. For that, there is a Christian and Mary have done. “He Manasquan, and no lie, as I’m about to lively, smiling, funny 8-year-old who knows he’s going to meet all these new walk into the building, he walks out. I wants nothing more than to be a nor- friends,” says Christian, “and that’s say, ‘You don’t know me, but you will mal kid. Gavin won’t be a kid forever, when you see the smile.” in five minutes.’ Well, five turns into and so Christian has pushed, and his 20…” A few days later, Christian had a persistence has helped the Field of commitment from the sandwich chain, Dreams come together more quick- Visit monmouth.edu/magazine to see renderings one of the early commitments that lent ly than anyone thought possible. “Our of the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams at the credibility to his efforts. foundation board members thought Ocean Orthopedic Associates Complex.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 43 Class notes ALUMNI LIFE

Just Go For it As a program direc- tor with enFocus, Shaw spends a lot of time with budding entrepreneurs, helping them to THE CHANGEMAKER » Alumni making waves write business plans en also experience other obsta- or secure funding for cles that can keep them from their projects. Her engaging in their own health, advice if you have socializing such as unstable home envi- your own project ronments, living in a food des- that you want to get ert, or lacking transportation. off the ground? Just medicine “If you put yourself in these go for it. “One of the women’s shoes,” says Shaw, GILLIAN SHAW’S APP TAKES PRENATAL things I’ve seen with “you can see how you might CARE INTO THE DIGITAL AGE. entrepreneurs is that make a decision to cancel your they’re scared to doctor’s appointment to pick BY KELLEY FREUND take that last step,” up an extra shift at work so you says Shaw. “But ou might say entrepreneurship runs in Gillian can make rent. Or maybe you’ve there’s never a case been evicted, so you place a pri- Shaw’s family. Her grandmother opened one of where you 100% ority on establishing a safe place know it’s going to Ythe first nail salons in New Jersey, and her father to sleep.” work. You’re always started his own company on Wall Street. Through Shaw’s app, health taking a little bit of a care providers can engage risk—entrepreneur- But it was science—not busi- Points, which she co-founded these women digitally, and the ship is risky. But my ness—that was on Shaw’s mind with colleague Andrew Wiand. women themselves can feel advice is to just take as an undergrad. After gradu- Healthy Points empowers at- empowered to make a healthy the chance. Failure ating from Monmouth in 2012 risk pregnant women to make change in their lives. During is a success in some with a degree in chemistry, she healthy decisions by utilizing a Healthy Points focus group, ways because you earned a master’s in chemis- HIPAA-secure technology that Shaw spoke with one wom- learn a lot. You’ll be try from the University of No- allows the women to commu- an who saw someone else post OK. I promise.” tre Dame. Realizing she didn’t nicate with each other as well about replacing soda with want to spend her life in a lab, as with health care providers. sparkling water. she then enrolled in the uni- Users can post photos of them- “And the woman thought, ‘I versity’s entrepreneurship in selves participating in healthy could do that!’ Seeing the oth- STEM program with a goal of behaviors—like drinking wa- er person’s post enabled her using her science background ter—and earn points that can to make a switch as well,” says in combination with new ideas be redeemed for items such as Shaw. “And when you’re talking in business to help others. diapers and clothing for new- about women who are diabetic That’s what she does now as a borns. As of late August, over while they’re pregnant, a soda to program director for enFocus, a 200 people—including patients a sparkling water is a huge shift. nonprofit organization in South and health professionals—have It really makes a big difference.” Bend, Indiana, that works to at- utilized the app. For now, Healthy Points has tract and develop entrepreneur- Shaw and Wiand saw a great been growing through intro- ial talent across two counties in need to address women’s health ductions from current cli- the state. during pregnancy, especially the ents. But Shaw hopes to even- “We want to spark innovation health of at-risk populations, tually integrate the app with and entrepreneurship by pair- who tend to have more compli- electronic medical records to ing young, talented people with cated deliveries. According to reduce the burden on physi- meaningful projects in the com- Shaw, these women—often from cians, and by doing so, great- munity,” says Shaw. low-income, low-education, and ly expand its reach to the lives While most of Shaw’s time is socially disadvantaged groups— of pregnant women across the spent working with budding en- have traditionally been hard to United States. “That’s the big trepreneurs on their business reach by health systems, in part OPPOSITE: While pur- vision,” she says. “That might plans, her role also gives her because they have felt margin- suing her master’s at the be five or 10 years down the time to work on other projects alized and underserved, which University of Notre Dame, road, but within the next year Shaw researched organic she’s passionate about. In Shaw’s leads to a mistrust of the medi- molecules that can poten- or two, I hope we can expand case, that’s an app called Healthy cal community. But these wom- tially detect cancer cells. our network to all of Indiana.”

44 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo BARBARA JOHNSTON Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 45 CLASS NOTES

and professional theater practi- tioners, and membership to the college is conferred on individ- uals of acknowledged national stature who have distinguished themselves during their careers for notable dedication, excep- tional service, and outstanding achievement. Fisher is also the recipient of the 2017 Mary Settle Sharpe Award for Teaching Excellence and the 2016 Out- standing Teacher Award from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at UNCG—now referred to as the UNCG’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Alumni Fisher previously spent 29 years teaching at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he roundup served as department chair for LISTED BY GRADUATION YEAR 13 years and was the McLain-Mc- Turnan-Arnold Research Scholar terstate Bank, and Manufacturers in 1987-1988 and 1999-2000, and 1970s Hanover Corp. Also, he has more LaFollette Lecturer in 1992-1993. than 10 years of experience with Fisher is also the recipient of the »»Richard E. Carmichael, Ph.D. the U.S. government as budget 2007 Betty Jean Jones Award ’70 recently published Economics manager for the U.S. Bankruptcy for excellence in the teaching of for Everyone Ninth Edition. “The Court in Maryland and as branch American theater from the Amer- book examines the evolution of chief for credit programs for the ican Theatre and Drama Society economic thought and the histor- U.S. Small Business Administration and in 1997 was named Indiana ical events that have affected the in Washington, D.C. He holds an Theatre Person of the Year by economic growth of the world’s MBA in financial management and the Indiana Theatre Association. industrialized countries,” Carmi- a Ph.D. in business administration. Fisher has directed and/or acted chael says. The book, available in over 200 theater productions, in paperback format on Amazon, »»Pauline Amos Clansy ’72 was has authored several books, Barnes & Noble, and in other lead- recognized as a Pinnacle Lifetime and has edited numerous essay ing bookstores, contains the most Achiever by Continental Who’s collections and six volumes of recent economic data available Who for her work as clinical The Puppetry Yearbook, part of from the federal government, in- director with Charis Psychologi- the Mellen Studies in Puppetry cluding information on the federal cal Associates, a Christian-based series. He is also the author of debt and deficit for fiscal year mental health care establishment two plays, The Bogus Bride and 2018, gross domestic product and located in Houston, Texas. The Braggart Soldier, the latter a employment data for 2018, and the free adaptation of Plautus’ Miles president’s 2020 budget. Carmi- »»The College of Fellows of Gloriosus. He served as book chael is a professor of business the American Theatre recently review editor for the Journal of administration in the Degree Com- inducted into its membership Dramatic Theory and Criticism pletion Program at Gardner-Webb James Fisher ’73, a professor for 15 years and Broadside, University in Boiling Springs, North of theater at the University of the publication of the Theatre Carolina. He previously served as North Carolina at Greensboro Library Association. He has been the Alex Lee professor of business (UNCG) since 2007. In a formal married to actress/artist Dana at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hicko- ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Warner Fisher for 42 years and is ry, North Carolina. He also served Center for the Performing Arts, the father of two children, Daniel as a visiting professor of finance in Washington, D.C., Fisher—one and Anna. at Washington College in Ches- of seven inductees this year—was tertown, Maryland, and a faculty presented with a medal and a »»John Greco ’74 is chair of the associate with the Johns Hopkins citation summarizing his con- Marketing IMPACT Council, a University Division of Business in tributions to American theater. company that brings together all Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, Founded in 1965, the College of leaders, including chief executive he has held executive positions Fellows is an honorary society of officers, chief operating officers, with BankAmerica Corp., First In- outstanding theater educators chief marketing officers, chief

46 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 information officers, chief tech- »»Susan Bulanda ’87M recently November 1995. He was named nology officers, chief financial had her 11th book, K9 Obedience detective in 2004 and detective officers, and all other stakeholders, Training: Teaching Pets and lieutenant in December 2014. He to maximize the overall impact of Working Dogs to Be Reliable and served as the department’s field marketing initiatives. Through a Free-Thinking, published with training officer, on the Bergen new partnership, Greco will serve Brush Education Inc. Bulanda County Prosecutor’s Office as senior executive advisor to is recognized worldwide as an hotel/motel unit and computer CommunicationsMatch, a group expert in animal behavior and crimes task force, and as a juve- that helps companies find, short- K9 search and rescue (SAR), nile officer. He holds a master’s list, and engage communications, and she has formed and run two degree in human resources marketing, digital, and branding K9 SAR units. She is a founding training and development from agencies, consultants, and free- member of the National Search Seton Hall University. lancers by industry sector, commu- Dog Alliance and a former vice nications expertise, location, size, president and dog chairperson of »»Susan Looney, Ph.D., ’92, ’93M, designation, keywords, and diversi- the International Association of the president of Reading Area ty. Greco is co-founder, chairman, Animal Behavior Consultants. An Community College (RACC) and CEO of Greco Enterprises, award-winning author, Bulanda in Reading, Pennsylvania, was LLC, which includes Greco has written hundreds of articles appointed to the Reading Hospital Associates and the Marketing IM- and 11 books. Board of Trustees. In her 20 years PACT Council. Greco Associates as a full-time community college is a strategic business advisor and educator, eight years as a faculty an integrated solutions provid- member, and 12 years as a senior er. Greco was previously CEO of administrator, Looney has worked the Direct Marketing Association in diverse roles, including assistant and the Yellow Pages Publishers 1990s to the campus director and direc- (now Local Search) Association. tor of corporate and community He also led AT&T Bell Laborato- »»Detective Lt. Guido Bussinel- programs at Delaware Technical ries’ Consumer Lab/Marketing li ’90 was promoted to captain Community College in Delaware, Sciences Center of Excellence and of the Mahwah Police Depart- and interim assistant vice presi- held various other executive posi- ment. Bussinelli joined the dent of academic affairs, arts, and tions at AT&T, RR Donnelley, and department as a patrol officer in sciences at Colorado Mountain the Radio Corporation of America. Greco served on the boards of the Ad Council, Advertising Week, the Council of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) National Advertising GET INVOLVED » Review Council (NARC), the U.S. Join the Chamber of Commerce Associa- 50th tion Committee of 100, and many other boards and advisory boards. reunion He has an MBA from Columbia committee University.

1980s »»John Gilligan ’81 graduated Calling all members of the Class from Georgian Court University, of 1970! Join the 50th Reunion in Lakewood, New Jersey, with an M.A. in theology. He is to be or- Committee to reconnect with dained a permanent deacon in the classmates and plan your reunion Trenton Catholic Diocese in 2020. celebration, set for June 12–15, 2020. »»In May, the Towle family, all four Those interested should contact of whom—Martin ’86, Vera ’13M, Laura MacDonald ’10, director for Allison ’15, and Stephanie ’18—are alumni, hiked into the Grand Alumni Engagement, at lmacdona@ Canyon. monmouth.edu or 732-571-7563.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 47 CLASS NOTES CELEBRATIONS 1 WEDDINGS: 1. There were many alumni there to celebrate the wedding of Kate Stevens Kane ’02 (center) and Michael Kane (far right) including (from left to right) Kalagh (Stice) Mendoza ’04, Billy Cerra ’98, ’01M, Erin Swetits ’04, Tom P. Stevens ’71, John VanBrunt ’02, Country VanBrunt ’04, Jon Butts ’04, Chris Morrisy, Erica Seigal Bach ’01, Justin Bach ’01, Tom J Stevens ’04, Jennifer Gradzki Harris 2 ’03, ’05M, Stephanie Racaniello Warlick ’03 and Jamie Malikie-Freda ’02, ’17M.

2. Jenna Case ’06 wed Steve Martino on April 27, 2019.

BIRTHS: 3. Angela Strain ’01 and her husband, Fielder Strain, welcomed a daughter, Meadow Margaret Strain, on Nov. 4, 2019.

4. Megan Dietrich ’10 and Matthew Dietrich ’09 welcomed son Ryan Matthew Dietrich on April 5, 2019.

5. Dee Colbert ’12 and her husband, Chris Colbert ’02, ’11M, welcomed a daughter, Piper 3 4 Ann, on May 23, 2019.

6. Kaitlyn Sisombath ’18 and her husband, Joshua Sisombath, welcomed a son, Hudson, on June 18, 2019.

ENGAGEMENTS: 7. Kristen Harz ’14 is engaged to wed Michael Parisi ’14.

8. Lauren Faria ’16 is engaged to wed Tom 5 6 Carroll ’16.

9. KerryAnn DeMeester ’18, ’19M is engaged to wed Daniel Kelly ’18.

ACHIEVEMENTS: 10. The Towle family— Vera ’13M, Martin ’86, Allison ’15, and Stephanie ’18 —recently hiked into the Grand Canyon.

48 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 College in Glenwood Springs, Col- for new and in-line products. Guzzi 7 orado. Looney was named dean of brings to Ferring nearly 20 years instruction at RACC in 2014 and of experience working in public named senior vice president of ac- relations in the pharmaceutical ademic affairs/provost at RACC in industry. She also received a 2015. She earned her doctorate in Master of Arts in corporate and higher education leadership from organizational communication Nova Southeastern University in from Fairleigh Dickinson University Fort Lauderdale, Florida. in 2005.

»»Judith Becker ’93M will judge »»John O’Donnell ’96M has been the seventh annual Eastern West named chief executive officer of Virginia Juried Exhibit, set for Safran Aerosystems and is now this October. Becker, who is an also a member of the of the Safran award-winning member of the Executive Committee. O’Donnell West Virginia Watercolor Society, started his career in 1987 at Air 8 is the creator of a unique art form Cruisers, successively holding the called Spritzilism, which involves positions of design engineer, man- using botanicals as templates for ufacturing engineering supervisor, sprayed watercolor paint. and vice president of engineering. In 2008, he was named president »»Heather Levis Guzzi ’96 was of Air Cruisers Company (now appointed director, brand commu- Safran Evacuation Systems), which nications at Ferring Pharmaceu- designs and builds inflatable air- ticals in Parsippany, New Jersey, craft safety equipment, including earlier this year. In this role, she is evacuation slides, rafts, life vests, responsible for driving core brand and helicopter floats. From 2015 marketing communication, includ- until this latest appointment, ing public relations and advocacy O’Donnell was CEO of Zodiac

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Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 49 CLASS NOTES

Aerosafety Systems (now Safran the brother of the bride, Tom engagement, previously served as Aerosafety). O’Donnell holds a J. Stevens ’04, and two of the CUR’s director of communications master’s degree and an engineer- bridesmaids, Stephanie Racaniello and membership. She received the ing degree from Stevens Institute Warlick ’03 and Jamie Malik- 2019 Changemaker Award from of Technology. ie-Freda ’02, ’17M. MeetingsNet, which recognizes unique contributions to the meet- »»Christina Blancone ’04 founded ings industry, and she was selected the Reign Group, a full-service per- by Association TRENDS magazine sonal and commercial insurance as one of its 2019 Young & Aspiring brokerage located in Fort Lee, Professionals. 2000s New Jersey. The Reign Group— serving New Jersey, New York, and »»Jameelah Stephens ’05 was »»Among Us, a debut audiobook Pennsylvania—is a one-stop shop hired as a police officer with the by Kristina Rienzi ’00M, was for insurance offering coverage Gastonia Police Department chosen as an Audible Editors for car, home, life, or business serving the City of Gastonia, Select Pick for April 2019 in the insurance. North Carolina, on June 4, 2018. thriller category. Among Us was She holds master’s degree from also spotlighted by Audible and »»Lucas Charleston ’04 has joined Walden University, located in ACX University in 2018 to help the firm Akin Gump Strauss Minneapolis, Minnesota, and educate authors on choosing the Hauer & Feld LLP as a partner completed basic law enforcement best narrator for their audiobook. in its corporate practice in New training at Gaston College, located The audience was given a glimpse, York. Charleston is a debt finance in Dallas, North Carolina, in De- directly from the control room lawyer with extensive experience cember 2018. with Audible Studios' director, of in private credit, special situa- the exciting process of choosing tions, and distressed financings »»Jenna Case ’06 wed Steve Mar- an audition script and building a and restructurings. Previously, he tino on April 27, 2019. profile to seek auditions on ACX, worked for the law firm Stroock & bringing the story to life. After the Stroock & Lavan, where he was a »»Bob Wankel ’08 covers the Phil- video was released, ACX held an partner in the firm’s corporate and adelphia Phillies, breaking news, open casting call for Among Us. restructuring practices. and sports gambling for the sports Narrator Lewis Arlt was chosen. blog Crossing Broad. He is also a A veteran actor for 35 years, per- »»As of June 2019, Lauren A. producer and co-host of Crossed forming on Broadway, in regional (Strina) Williams ’04 began Up: A Phillies Podcast. theater, and on television, as well working as a protocol manager as penning numerous scripts for with Bristol-Myers Squibb, working »»Michael Demarest ’09 has daytime soaps, Arlt has been both in Global Clinical Operations on joined The Hill in Washington, a Daytime Emmy and Writers the Innovative Medicine Devel- D.C., as the director of audience Guild Award winner. opment (IMD) team, with a focus development. Previously, Demar- on Crohn’s disease and other est worked at Fox News and Fox »»Angela Strain ’01 and her immunological diseases. Business in New York City, last husband Fielder Strain welcomed working as the manager of social a daughter, Meadow Margaret »»Jennifer Aviado-Langer ’05M, media. He lives in Aberdeen, Strain, on Nov. 4, 2019, weighing 5 ’14DNP was recognized by New Jersey, with his wife and pounds, 15 ounces. Continental Who’s Who for her two daughters. outstanding contributions in the »»After 16 years in higher educa- medical field as a doctor of nursing »»Matthew Dietrich ’09. See note tion, Joshua Waddell ’01M is now practice and family nurse practi- for Megan Dietrich ’10. an elementary school counselor at tioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering Jean Phillips Elementary School in Cancer Center, where she assists Oklahoma. oncology patients with pre-op evaluations and assists in the »»Chris Colbert ’02, ’11M. See note optimization of oncology patients for Dee Colbert ’12. undergoing anesthesia and surgery. 2010s »»ΩKate Stevens ’02 wed Michael »»The Council on Undergraduate »»Ellen Angelo ’10M is the chief Kane on Sept. 21, 2018. Their Research (CUR) has selected nursing officer at Hackensack Me- wedding took place in Spring Lindsay Currie ’05 as the orga- ridian Health Jersey Shore Univer- Lake, New Jersey, overlooking the nization’s new executive officer. sity Medical Center in Neptune, ocean. There were many alumni in Currie, who has more than a New Jersey. Angelo previously attendance, including the father decade of experience in nonprof- served as vice president, chief of the bride, Tom P. Stevens ’71, it management and community nursing officer at Ocean Medical

50 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 Center in Brick Township and has »»Dee Colbert ’12 and husband met through mutual friends during held a nursing leadership position Chris Colbert ’02, ’11M welcomed their freshman year at Monmouth with Hackensack Meridian Health a daughter, Piper Ann, on May in 2010. They have been together for nine years. Previously, Angelo 23, 2019, weighing 6 pounds, 14 ever since and moved to Char- served as senior manager, patient ounces. lotte, North Carolina, in 2016. They care at Ocean Medical Center were engaged in Asheville, North and also as director of medical »»Gillian Shaw ’12 co-founded Carolina, at a “beautiful house surgical nursing at both Monmouth Healthy Points, a private social in the mountains” during a Parisi Medical Center in Long Branch, networking app that allows family vacation in which Parisi New Jersey, and Union Hospital patients with like diseases or surprised Harz and her family, in, Union, New Jersey. A multiple conditions to communicate with says the bride-to-be. The couple is nursing award recipient, she has peers and medical staff around planning to wed on June 6, 2020. received the Elizabeth Kellogg the clock. Users are encouraged Nursing Excellence Award, Mon- to upload healthy posts, photos, »»Michael Parisi ’14. See note for signor Bradley Nursing Research and comments in the app to both Kristen Harz ’14. Award, and Critical Care Nurse promote and support a healthy of the Year award, among others. lifestyle. These uploads are grant- »»Emily Smith-Sangster ’14 has Angelo is an adjunct professor ed points by medical staff and, been awarded the New York Uni- for nursing and medical programs over time, can be redeemable for versity Graduate School of Arts & at Georgian Court University in rewards. See story on p. 44. Science Masters Award for Aca- Lakewood, New Jersey. She is a demic Achievement for her 2018 member of the Organization of »»Vera Towle ’13M. See note for thesis titled “Body Doubles: an Nurse Leaders and the American Martin Towle ’86. Examination of Artificial ‘Reserve Organization of Nurse Executives. Parts’ and the Conceptualization Angelo holds a nursing diploma »»Kristen Harz ’14 is engaged to of Post-Mortem Bodily Complete- from Elizabeth General Hospital wed Michael Parisi ’14. The couple ness in Ancient Egypt.” School of Nursing, located in Eliza- beth, New Jersey; an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Union County College, located in NOT TO MISS » Nov. 13 Cranford, New Jersey; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kean Hawks on University, located in Union, New the ROad in Jersey; a Six Sigma Certificate for green, lean, and black belt from New York Villanova University, located in Vil- City lanova, Pennsylvania; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

»»Megan Dietrich ’10 and Mat- thew Dietrich ’09 welcomed son Ryan Matthew Dietrich on April 5, 2019. Fellow alumni Carolyn Matassa ’10, ’16M and Michael Dietrich ’15 have been chosen as godparents.

»»The Philadelphia Union has signed Major League Soccer (MLS) veteran defender RJ Allen ’11. Allen, who kicked off his pro- fessional career with Skive IK in Join Monmouth alumni, parents, Denmark, made his MLS debut in 2015 with New York City Foot- and supporters for a Hawk family ball Club, where he spent three gathering in the Big Apple. Visit seasons. This October, Allen will be inducted into the Saint Joseph monmouth.edu/hotr for more info High School 2019 Athletics Hall and to register. of Fame.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 51 CLASS NOTES

»»Emily Barbieri ’15 is the head »»Former Monmouth women’s with the New Jersey Department women’s lacrosse coach at Wilson soccer defender Monique of Children and Family Services, College in Chambersburg, Pennsyl- Goncalves ’16, ’17M has signed a was recognized for his “extraor- vania. Barbieri served as the assis- professional contract to con- dinary passion, dedication, and tant coach and offensive coordina- tinue her career with Sunnanå effort in helping to make families tor at Hood College in Frederick, SK in Sweden. Goncalves began whole again.” Maryland, since 2015. She is also her pro career with UMF Sindri the founder of the Atlantic Coast Höfn in Iceland and last played »»David Perez ’17M is a clini- Lacrosse Academy and is the in Portugal for Clube Atlético de cal social worker and diversity director of the Maryland Lacrosse Ouriense. She will join Sunnanå services manager with the Long showcase. Barbieri was a standout SK immediately and play with Branch Free Public Library. Pe- performer at Monmouth, where the club through the remainder rez, who says he is the first social she served as a team captain and of the season. The club plays in worker hired directly by a public helped the Hawks to two Northeast Skellefteå, Sweden, in Swedish library in the state of New Jer- Conference championships. Women’s Football Division 1. At sey, recently presented as part Monmouth, Goncalves played of New York University’s Silver »»Allison Towle ’15. See note for from 2012 to 2015, and helped School of Social Work seminar Martin Towle ’86. the Hawks win three consecutive titled “An Emerging Alliance: So- Metro Atlantic Athletic Confer- cial Work in the Public Library,” »»Tom Carroll ’16. See note for ence (MAAC) Regular Season held in April. Lauren Faria ’16. Championships and the 2013 MAAC Tournament Champion- »»KerryAnn DeMeester ’18, »»Lauren Faria ’16 is engaged ship. The 2013 team qualified for ’19M is engaged to wed Daniel to wed Tom Carroll ’16. The the NCAA Tournament in Mon- Kelly ’18. The two have known couple—both of whom played mouth’s first season as a member each other for about 16 years intramural sports as Hawks—met of the MAAC. even though “we are only 23!” at Monmouth in 2012 and started the bride-to-be points out. The dating in 2014. They were engaged »»Harvey Cottrell ’17, ’18M re- couple grew up in Point Pleas- in Nashville on March 22, 2019, ceived the Legal Services of New ant, New Jersey, and attended and are planning an Oct. 11, 2020, Jersey’s Hero Award. Cottrell, the same schools for their wedding. an accomplished social worker entire lives: elementary school through college. They began dating during their junior year of high school in 2013, when Kelly suggested they switch their relationship status on Facebook (“We were both very shy,” says DeMeester). They both attend- ed Monmouth University from 2014 to 2018 in the software engineering program and grad- uated with bachelor of science degrees; DeMeester later went on for her master’s. “Monmouth University definitely helped strengthen our relationship as we lifted each other up from stress that comes along with pursuing a technology degree,” she says. “This school promoted a supportive environment where we could both grow individually and as a couple. Classes, sport- ing events, and even final exams brought us closer together, and NOT TO MISS » Join Monmouth alumni, parents, and it would not have been possible Nov. 22 without Monmouth’s culture supporters for a Hawk gathering in HAwks on and integrity.” Kelly is working Orlando. Visit monmouth.edu/hotr at Prudential Financial as a the Road in for more info and to register. developer in emerging tech- Orlando nology, and, after completing

52 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 photo MICHAEL GRAY WANTAG/FLICKR Looking for a reason to come back to campus? We’ve got you covered.

Homecoming Weekend Wine vs. Stein Alumni Weekend

October 18–19, 2019 March 21, 2020 June 12–15, 2020

For a full schedule and to register for both on- and off-campus alumni events, visitmonmouth.edu/alumni.

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Monmouth University’s five-year as a scenic designer with the Hawk with Monmouth’s women’s master’s program in software en- University’s Music and Theatre basketball team, has signed gineering, DeMeester received Arts Department, leading teams a professional contract with a full-time offer from Prudential of students and faculty in the con- Brose Bamberg in Germany. The Financial, ranked a Top Fortune struction and painting of theatri- team competes in 2. Bundesliga, 50 Company in 2019. She will cal set pieces. He has also been the second division of profes- be entering the workforce as a a treasurer for the Oceanaires, sional basketball in Germany. systems developer and couldn’t a nonprofit musical organization In 109 career games played at be more grateful for the educa- whose chorus sings to communi- Monmouth, Balman registered tion that Monmouth University ties throughout Ocean County. 3.0 points per game and 4.0 provided her. “If it were not rebounds per game. Her best for the extremely talented and »»Daniel Kelly ’18. See note for season came as a junior, when dedicated staff in the computer KerryAnn DeMeester ’18, ’19M. she averaged 4.9 points and 6.4 science and software engineer- rebounds per contest. In four ing department, I do not think »»Kaitlyn Sisombath ’18 and her years, Balman started 35 games I would be where I am today,” husband, Joshua Sisombath, wel- while averaging 12.3 minutes. As DeMeester says. “This depart- comed a son, Hudson, on a junior, Balman led the MAAC ment gave me the skills and June 18, 2019. in blocks with 61, and ended her confidence I needed to be able career ranked fifth on Mon- to inject myself in such an inno- »»Stephanie Towle ’18. See note mouth’s all-time list with 127. vative profession. The future has for Martin Towle ’86. The Marcellus, New York, native never looked brighter thanks to scored in double figures seven Monmouth University.” »»Bryce Wasserman ’18, ’19M rep- times in her career, including resented the Dallas Rattlers at the six as a junior. During her final »»John Holler ’18M joined Mon- 2019 Major League Lacrosse All- season, she pulled down a mouth’s Urban Coast Institute as Star game on July 27 in Annapolis, career-high 14 rebounds to go its new administrative assistant. Maryland. along with a career-high five Holler specializes in team-building blocks at Lafayette. She scored and financial management. For »»Erica Balman ’19, who com- a career-high 14 points (7-8 FG) the past three years, he served pleted a four-year career as a at Niagara as a senior.

»»Recent graduate Connor Wag- ner ’19 earned an internship with the Pentagon under the Depart- ment of Defense (DoD). Wagner works as assistant Afghanistan country director in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secre- tary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia. In this role, Wagner works with U.S. forces in Afghanistan to develop requirements for requests to Congress for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund in the 2021 fiscal year. He also assists the office by drafting responses to information requests and ques- tions from congressmen, con- gresswomen, and senators about Afghanistan that are sent to the Secretary of Defense, as well as requests from the DoD Inspector NOT TO MISS » The legendary group continues to General and the Special Inspec- Oct. 18 tor General for Afghanistan awe sold out audiences with their 5th reconstruction. In the future, amazing harmonies, immaculate Wagner hopes to work in the Dimension showmanship, and exciting energy. field of National Security Policy and Foreign Relations as a civil Don’t miss their Pollak Theatre servant in the Department of performance. Defense.

54 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 IN Memoriam SEND ALUMNI Eddie E. McCormmack ’60 (July 5, 2019) US James E. Friel III ’62 (May 3, 2019) William T. Kaeli ’63 (July 2, 2019) YOUR Raniero M. Travisano ’63 (June 8, 2019) NEWS Juhan Urm ’64 (May 6, 2019) »»Online: Carole J. Kaplan ’65, ’80M (May monmouth.edu/ 20, 2019) ClassNotes Louis M. Gorra ’67 (June 19, 2019) »»By email: Bartley M. Howley ’67 (July 18, classnotes@mon- 2019) mouth.edu Robert Johnson ’67, ’71M (Jan. 29, 2019) »» By mail: Donald F. Butler ’71 (Dec. 13, 2018) Class Notes, Nelson E. Smock ’71 (May 2, Monmouth University 2019) Magazine, Alice R. Blonkowski ’73 (May 12, 400 Cedar Ave., 2019) West Long Branch, REMEMBRANCE NJ 07764-1898 Joseph Koenig ’73, ’79M (June 29, 2019) Robert L. Dolores K. Gallina ’74 (June 30, 2019) Robert Kling ’75M (May 26, 2019) Monmouth University encourages alumni to Huber Steward J. Leister ’75 (May 17, 2019) share news regarding career changes, awards EMERITUS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF Michael A. Bochis ’77M (June 1, and honors, marriages, SPEECH, COMMUNICATION, AND MASS 2019) anniversaries, births, and other life events for MEDIA, 1939–2019. Barbara Nappen ’81 (June 28, inclusion in Class Notes. 2019) All submissions are subject BY ROBERT B. HUBER AND LILLIAN HUBER to editing for clarity and Robert Hohenstein ’83M (Feb. length. We welcome sub- 15, 2019) missions of high-resolution ur father loved and served Monmouth University digital images for possible Mary D. Goldsmith ’87M (March for more than 40 years. Joining the faculty in inclusion with your class 8, 2019) note; however, we reserve 1966, he taught full time until 2004 and part the right not to print sub- O Shadi I. Haddad ’06 (June 1, 2019) mitted photos due to space time until 2010. limitations or issues with image resolution. In addition to the news During that time, he served as letic fields, or sharing an infor- FACULTY & STAFF items sent by alumni, the department chair for 10 years, mal lunch with a student in the Patricia Conlon (purchasing University receives press parliamentarian for 17 years, fo- Student Center. assistant) June 13, 2019 releases from businesses and organizations an- rensics coach for five years, and Our dad was also an active Robert L. Huber (associate pro- nouncing alumni achieve- directed summer theater for member of the local commu- fessor emeritus of ments, and subscribes to an online news clipping seven years. He was most proud nity, serving nine years on the communication) July 26, 2019 service that provides news of the success of his hundreds of Oceanport Board of Educa- Barbara Johnston (Hess chair of items about alumni. These students and most grateful for tion and coaching recreation- items are edited and nursing education) placed in the appropriate the outstanding colleagues in al soccer and softball. To quote July 28, 2019 class section. Monmouth his department, many of whom three of his former students, magazine staff members Joseph LaGanga Jr. (adjunct he helped to hire and are still “Anyone can make the smart try to verify the accuracy professor) May 15, 2019 of this information; there teaching today. students feel smart; Profes- however, the University In his 12 years as director of sor Huber made every student James “Jim” Mazza (former cannot be responsible for patrol officer) June 19, 2019 incorrect information con- study abroad, he led one dozen feel smart,” “It was because of tained herein. If you would student trips to London and Ja- him I spread my wings,” and Pierre “Pete” Salmon (associate like us to correct any inac- maica. Outside the classroom, “He helped me see beyond my professor emeritus and former curacies that have been printed, please contact the he could often be found sup- weaknesses; that’s the mark of chair of the accounting depart- magazine at magazine@ porting his students on the ath- a true teacher!” ment) June 14, 2019 monmouth.edu.

Fall 2019 MONMOUTH 55 CLASS NOTES 5 Ways to Get More Out of Each Day CORPORATE EFFICIENCY EXPERT BARY SHERMAN EXPLAINS HOW ANYONE CAN CARPE DIEM. BY MELISSA KVIDAHL REILLY

ou know you have it somewhere: that important receipt; last year’s tax return; the warranty for your washing machine. But where is it? Y “People spend 1.6 hours per week looking for things they can’t find—that’s 75 hours per year,” explains Bary Sherman ’63. “What could you do with another two hours per week? What could you do with another two weeks per year?” These are the kinds of challenges Sherman helps people overcome every day as co-CEO of PEPworldwide US, a training and consulting firm specializing in efficiency. Through seminars and multiday programs, PEPworldwide helps employees of all kinds streamline their work and keep their promises, whether that means being on time to a meeting, retaining important emails, or meeting deadlines. But the principles they use to help people get more of the right work done, in less time and with less stress, can work for anyone.

1. Don’t 2. Do the 3. Make 4. Use tech 5. Practice PEP’s multitask. worst appointments wisely. mantra: Do it It sounds counterintui- thing first. with yourself Sherman’s top now! tive, but actively trying “We all have things tips? Set electronic When you first look at do more than one thing and others. systems to open to we don’t like to do Set times on your cal- something new to do, make at a time inhibits focus and subconsciously your calendar, not a decision—either Do It, in the short and long endar for work events your email, so you try to avoid them (like meetings) as well Designate It, Delegate It, or term. “To stop multi- by filling our time see your priorities Delete It. Here’s Sherman’s tasking, bring a project as personal events and first. Use the task with tasks of low priorities (like reading, guide: you’re working on to or no value,” says or to-do mode for »»Do It: Anything that takes 5 a stopping point and keeping in contact with quick reminders. Sherman. The family and friends, and minutes or less. then move on to your result? Wasted Put all appoint- »»Designate It: If you can’t next task,” says Sher- exercise). Treat these per- ments in your time, forgetting to sonal appointments with do a task now, make an man. “Doing one thing do that thing, and electronic calendar, appointment on your at a time allows you to the same level of respect with enough time then remembering that you treat appoint- calendar (see #3) to get the get more things accom- at the wrong time between them to job done. plished each day.” ments with others. allow you to get (like the middle of »»Delegate It: Determine the night or in the from one place to who else can do this task middle of another another on time. and assign it. project). »»Delete It: If you decide that there is no value to you, your family, or your business, then delete it from your schedule.

56 MONMOUTH Fall 2019 GRADUATE STUDIES

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1,000 WORDS » A story in a picture COLLEGE JOBS Whether you washed dishes in the cafeteria, shelved books in the Guggenheim Memorial Library, or waited tables at The Inkwell, we want to hear how you earned spending cash during your college years. Send us stories about your college jobs, along with any photos or artifacts you still have, to [email protected] or the address above.

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