FALL 2019

Creating a legacy of inspiration Brian DeFrancesco ’06 P. 2

Inside this issue: Hurst alums bitten by entrepreneurial bug P. 3 Mercy nun pursued cancer cure P. 6 MNE program aids single moms P. 12 A message from the President

As I write this, August is days away and the calmer stretch of time Brian is one of several that June and July bring to campus is quickly slipping away. I enjoy Mercyhurst alumni featured the transition between summer and fall and the rejuvenation that in our Fall 2019 magazine accompanies it. whose entrepreneurial DNA has reaped rewards for As we commence Academic Year 2019-2020, we are energized with a themselves, their families new slate of goals, priorities, and plans of action – all in service to our and the lives of many students who, by the way, never cease to amaze me. In June, for example, others. One of the tenets of a Mercyhurst education is to engender a love we learned that four students in Dr. Joe Morris’ political science class took of lifelong learning, which is also a key characteristic of entrepreneurs: top honors in a competition sponsored by Draw The Lines PA, a statewide Entrepreneurs always seek to learn and to get better at what they do. civic education initiative intended to help Pennsylvanians learn more about political redistricting and gerrymandering. The redistricting maps As our magazine will show, entrepreneurship certainly is not a new and essays our students produced took frst (Logan Ford) and second concept at Mercyhurst. You’ll also read about Sister Mary Eymard Poydock, place (Miranda Henry) and two of three honorable mentions (Sydney RSM, one of our early biology teachers who – with few resources but Gondringer and Admir Barucija) in the Higher Education-West category. remarkable determination – created a respected cancer research program here in the 1960s and ‘70s. To see our students dominate the winners’ circle like that is a testament to the education they receive at Mercyhurst and to the outstanding faculty So, take a moment to peruse our magazine and reconnect. We appreciate members who inspire this kind of accomplishment. your interest in and support of our Mercyhurst community.

While deeply honored to be president of our beloved university, my days as a business professor in the Walker College, and the relationships I cultivated with our students, were among the most rewarding. Carpe Diem.

Our cover story tells of one such relationship, and my attempts to help a senior business major by the name of Brian DeFrancesco identify and capitalize on his leadership skills. I did not learn that my eforts had had any efect until 13 years later when that young entrepreneur returned Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D. to Mercyhurst to thank me for believing in him. I can’t imagine a more President, Mercyhurst University personally fulflling moment in my career than that one, and I suspect many of our faculty know the feeling. These are the relationships that diferentiate Mercyhurst.

ON THE COVER: Brian DeFrancesco ’06 is pictured in the ofces of SMET Ventures, his business investment and technology frm in Orange County, California. Before founding SMET, DeFrancesco led two companies from inception to successful exit acquisitions totaling nearly $100M in value. Mercyhurst Magazine is a publication of the Ofce of Marketing and Public Relations.

Magazine Editor Susan Hurley Corbran ’73 [email protected] 814-824-2090

Design Jeremy C. Hewitt ’07 [email protected] 814-824-3022

Contributing Writers Susan Hurley Corbran ’73 Inside this issue Deborah W. Morton Mary Solberg

3 Contributing Photographers Leena Clint ’16 HURST ALUMNI LAUNCH Ben Friesen THRIVING BUSINESSES Jeremy C. Hewitt ’07 Read profles of Sara Andriacchi Brennan ’07 ‘09M, Whitney Otto Berkowsky Curtis Waidley ’19 Anna Wesley ’11, Anthony Maher ’02, Ben Bluemle ’06, and Dawn Peske Britt ’90.

Director of Alumni Engagement 6 Lindsay Cox Frank ’12 ’14M [email protected] MERCY NUN’S PIONEERING 814-824-2330 CANCER RESEARCH Sister Eymard Poydock’s work in the 1960s and ’70s led to creation of ‘Mercytamin,’ which once looked like a promising cure for cancer.

18 LAKER FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN Send changes of address to:

OFF TO EXCITING START Alumni Relations Fields get new turf surfaces; ice center gets major upgrades; new feld to Mercyhurst University bring softball program to campus next spring. 501 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16546 [email protected] 8 NEW PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE HAS TIES TO MERCYHURST HISTORY If you haven’ t been receiving the bi-monthly 10 GRADUATES INVOLVED IN HIGH-PROFILE FORENSICS CASES Alumni eNewsletter, Mercyhurst does not have an active email address for you. Visit MNE PROGRAM HELPS SINGLE MOMS PURSUE COLLEGE DEGREES mercyhurst.edu/alumni/update to update 12 your information and reconnect. HAPPENINGS AT THE HURST 14 ATHLETICS We’d love to hear from you! 18 Send your story ideas, suggestions and ALUMNI AWARDS, HALL OF FAME 22 comments to [email protected]. 25 CLASS NOTES 1 Successful tech entrepreneur passes on legacy of inspiration Brian DeFrancesco ’06

It’s been said that “Success isn’t just about what in 2006, the two went their own ways. Victor that he may have played a role in his former you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you went on to become president of Lake Erie student’s success. Most of all, he was proud inspire others to do.”While it’s hard to argue College for the next nine years and then that his example had such a profound efect on that individual achievements don’t validate return to Mercyhurst as president in 2015, DeFrancesco. success, it’s undeniable that inspiration is the while DeFrancesco pursued his own career in greatest legacy that one can create. business and entrepreneurship. “I really wanted him to know that he set a great example,” said DeFrancesco. “Seeing him devote The story of Mercyhurst President Michael With a major in Business Finance and a minor his time to higher education and to lead and Victor and Mercyhurst Class of 2006 alumnus in Computer Systems, DeFrancesco’s career inspire students when he could have easily Brian DeFrancesco is an example of how took him across the country, eventually settling retired after his successful business career was inspiration and leading by example can have a in California, where he found a natural ft for a great example of how to not defne success crucial and lasting impact. both his business and technology abilities. from what you achieve in business alone, but After learning the ropes in roles at various by how you give back and inspire others.” A product and technology entrepreneur digital data, media, and advertising companies, now living in Orange County, California, he quickly worked his way up to become an Today, DeFrancesco is giving back on multiple DeFrancesco was a senior in the fnal Business executive, including roles as vice president of fronts. He currently runs SMET Ventures, Policy & Strategy course that Victor taught at Product and Technology at Vindico and Specifc through which he consults and invests in Mercyhurst as dean of the university’s business Media (acquired by Time, Inc.). small businesses to help other entrepreneurs school. For their senior capstone projects, realize their dreams. In addition, he and his Victor organized his students into groups, In his early 30s, he embarked on his wife, Jessica, oversee a charitable foundation and charged each with preparing a business entrepreneurial journey and never looked they founded to empower people to overcome plan for a local organization. He appointed back. “It wasn’t always easy and there were hardship and enhance their well-being. DeFrancesco to lead the group working with days when I had more failures than successes, the YMCAs of Greater Erie County. but I always leaned on the foundation He’s also showing his gratitude to his alma and confdence that was instilled in me at mater, which was part of the reason for his “I recognized Brian’s leadership abilities early Mercyhurst,” said DeFrancesco. “When I failed, recent visit to Mercyhurst. on,”Victor said. “I wanted to let him know I I learned, and when I succeeded, I always set believed in him to be a successful leader for the higher goals.” “Mercyhurst was a turning point in my capstone project, but more importantly for his life,” he said. “When I heard Michael career after Mercyhurst.” In December 2017, the hard work and perseverance paid of, as DeFrancesco led Victor had become president, I had DeFrancesco remembers the class well. “It was the acquisition sale of his company, Likqid even more pride in the university and the culmination of my studies at Mercyhurst Technologies, a digital video infrastructure belief in its future, so I wanted to help and the fnal preparation for the real world provider, for more than $90 million to a large of business,” he said. “Students respected U.S. television broadcaster. where I could.” Victor immensely because he had been a very successful business CEO. So, when he After leading the company through its Since reconnecting last spring: believed in me, it gave me a ton of confdence – acquisition transition during 2018, DeFrancesco • The two re-established their friendship; especially at such a pivotal time in my life.” set out on a new mission – to make a diference through philanthropy, inspiration, and thought • DeFrancesco agreed to Victor’s request Victor said DeFrancesco and his team did leadership. The frst step was to reconnect to become a member of the university’s an excellent job on their case study and with Victor. Last spring, 13 years after they had board of trustees; and, that the YMCA ultimately put some of their parted ways, the two caught up over lunch recommendations into practice. DeFrancesco in the State Dining Room. “It was a surreal • He generously gifted Mercyhurst the spent the remainder of his last semester experience,” said DeFrancesco, who told Victor funds it needed to complete renovations learning as much as he could from Victor and about his career path and desire to give back. to the Hammermill Library. getting involved in more leadership initiatives, such as becoming president of Mercyhurst’s Victor was equally awed and elated. Like any Most importantly, they share the commitment Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. After good teacher and mentor, and Mercyhurst is to continue to collaborate and inspire others in DeFrancesco’s graduation from Mercyhurst known for many, Victor felt rewarded to know the Mercyhurst community and beyond.

2 Hurst alums take the plunge to become business owners “Entrepreneurship is at the core In this issue we profle a few turning passions unrelated to of the American dream. It’s about Mercyhurst alumni who’ve their previous jobs into proftable blazing new trails, about believing actually done it – pursued their enterprises. in yourself, your mission, and entrepreneurial dreams and They’ve all been successful, inspiring others to join you in the created their own businesses. but still dream of growing their journey. What sets [entrepreneurs] They followed diferent paths. businesses even further. Perhaps apart is the will, courage and Most worked for others frst – the “Carpe Diem” spirit they sometimes recklessness to actually until they discovered the niche experienced on campus inspired do it.” they were meant to fll and them. – Derek Hutson, president and struck out on their own. Others CEO of Datical changed felds completely,

Sara Andriacchi Brennan ’07 ’09

Sara Andriacchi Brennan earned a biology promote her business, a one-stop shop that degree at Mercyhurst in 2007 and a master’s can take spaces from bare bones to that “HGTV in secondary education in 2009, but today she moment” at the end. owns one of the most prominent interior design frms in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sara coined the term “romantic transitional” to describe her style. “I love soft, feminine elements Sara’s married to Mitch Brennan, a native of in a space, but mixed with the timeless and Australia who played basketball for Mercyhurst. clean lines of transitional style,” she explained. When their son, Mason, arrived, she stopped teaching. “I was not the stay-at-home mom I She’s built a business that works well while she’s thought I was going to be,” she laughed, and raising children, but that she’ll be able to scale she was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. Her as life allows. And, make no mistake, she plans to WIRL Project (What It’s Really Like), a social scale it big. “I want it all – a TV show, a magazine sharing platform that allowed users to create column, the furniture line, the accessory line. profles and house their blogs on her website, I want to be one of the greats in the design was attracting investors, but a difcult second industry. I want romantic transitional to be the pregnancy put the project on hold. She never next big thing.”You can cross one item of that went back. wish list: she recently began writing for Cottages and Bungalows magazine. Instead, after daughter Shae was born, the Brennans moved into their dream home and And she hopes her story will inspire people who Sara began to decorate it. Soon, the home don’t have a linear path to follow their dreams. she was creating for her young family started attracting attention – and job ofers. Be really clear on what you want to do, she advised, and that you have a passion for it. About a year ago, she decided to get serious “If you have that fre and passion, you can and turn her avocation into a business. Her sustain it.” ofce is in her home and she has just one full- time employee, but she’s developed exclusive Learn more about her work at partnerships with contractors and kitchen saralynnbrennan.com. Follow her on and bath specialists who help turn her ideas into reality. She relies heavily on Instagram to Instagram @saralynnbrennan. 3 Whitney Otto Berkowsky ’11

Even while she was working in sales in New York She’s a self-taught graphic designer, but puts City, 2011 fashion merchandising grad Whitney her retail background to use as she handles Otto Berkowsky had a side gig she named sales. Her dad, also an entrepreneur, helped her Otto & Berk. Friends (and friends of friends) navigate the incorporation of the business. commissioned her to create unique wedding invitations. She says she designs cards for the bold and beautiful woman, juxtaposing beautiful forals When she and husband Jonathan Berkowsky with bold typography. She writes all the copy, decided to start a family, she left her full-time too, often incorporating some humor. job and focused on her design work instead. Their son, JJ, is now 2 ½, and Whitney’s company Everything is sourced and manufactured in the is growing just as fast as he is. United States, and she’s worked hard to make her products eco-friendly – using partially Rather than doing custom invitations, she now recycled paper (produced at plants operating designs greeting cards that are sold in 75 small on wind energy) and compostable packaging. businesses around the country. She spread Whitney also focuses on giving back to her the word about her business through the Faire community and frequently shares a portion of website, a wholesale marketplace that connects her profts with organizations she believes in. small businesses with artisans. She’s expecting to grow her client list even more after taking As she grows her company, Whitney says she’d part in her frst trade show. She launched an like to maintain her “shop small” focus. “I want entirely new collection, including seasonal to focus on small stores – those are the people greeting cards, notebooks, notepads, and that really make a diference in this country and I that will come with any new job and use that to calendars, at the National Stationery Show in want to be a part of it. your advantage. If it scares you, you’re probably August in New York City. doing the right thing.” “Starting a business is not easy, but if it’s It’s a one-person operation, with Whitney something you love doing, it will energize you handling all design, and the business operation in a way that will allow you to get past whatever See Whitney’s work at as well, from her home in Lawrence, New Jersey. the difculties are,” she said. “Accept the fear ottoandberk.com. Anthony Maher ’02

Anthony Maher ’02 is a born entrepreneur Washington-based 1776, making Anthony who’s made it his mission to champion other the CEO of the largest network of business entrepreneurs. incubators in the country. A soccer All-American at Mercyhurst, Anthony Anthony stepped down to an advisory role with played professional soccer for 10 years. After his 1776 last year when he realized that the travel sports career, he never considered working for required by the job wasn’t good for his growing someone else. “It was always a question of what family. Anthony and wife Anne are raising four can I create, what can I build,” he said. young sons, Roman, Anthony, Michael – and Apollo, who arrived July 29. He wanted to control his own destiny, a lesson he’d absorbed from Coach John Melody ’90, At the start of 2019, Anthony became partner foor” and advise on the unique needs of tech along with a strong work ethic, a drive to and president of University Place Associates, a startups. succeed, and an obsession with winning. real estate development frm started by Scott Mazo, a former Benjamin’s Desk/1776 investor. UPA is also committed to minimizing the In 2013 he partnered with his brother and sister- They expect to break ground by the end of building’s impact on the environment and in-law, Michael and Jennifer Maher, to create the year on 3.0 University Place, a $100 million enhancing the health and productivity of those Benjamin’s Desk, a Philadelphia co-working building that will anchor a research who will work inside it. space. From the start, Benjamin’s Desk ofered and innovation district along Philadelphia’s clients more than just space – it was all about Market Street. To others considering starting their own building a community and providing services to companies, Anthony says, “Go into it with your help startups grow their businesses. Anthony said he loves building startup eyes wide open. It’s going to be hard. You’re ecosystems and is using his extensive network of going to face obstacles, but if you’re driven and The business fourished, attracting tenants like contacts to “curate” a tenant list. UPA has already if you have the perseverance inside, you’re going Uber and the social commerce platform Curalate partnered with Wistar, a biomedical research to succeed.” and being chosen to manage the University of organization, and the Ben Franklin Technology Pennsylvania’s business incubator, Pennovation Partnership will create an entire “innovation Visit upaphila.com. Center. That led to a merger in 2017 with 4 Ben Bluemle ’06

Ben Bluemle ’06 had been working in real the limits to sell real estate diferently – and estate in Atlanta for about three years when he in a more fun way – than it’s ever been done, decided to start his own frm in Savannah. He especially in this market.” immediately put the skills he’d acquired as an intelligence studies major to work. He also uses an online video series titled “Port Talk” to position Seaport as the go-to source for “I got every piece of data I could get about the real estate information. Savannah market and ran a ton of analytics to confrm it was the right market for me,” he said. It’s paid of. His frm is among the most He opened Seaport Real Estate Group – named successful in Savannah and he was ranked the to honor Savannah’s rich history – in 2010. No. 201 agent in the United States. He now has 26 agents working for him, with additional Seaport was pretty traditional at frst, but soon ofces in Philadelphia and northeast Georgia, adopted a creative video marketing strategy and he’s considering a fourth site in his you are growing yourself somehow each day that has set the company apart. “I wasn’t the hometown of Pittsburgh. before you focus on the company. frst to do a real estate video,” Ben explained. “But I worked with a movie production He advises entrepreneurs to think big. “When And understand that you may have to make company so I had a level of quality no one had you’re dreaming, dream so big that people will some real sacrifces to reach your goal. In seen before.” look at you and laugh. And then think about it Ben’s case, that meant leaving his girlfriend every second of every day.” Anticipate growth, behind in Atlanta for the 2 ½ years it took him As he told South magazine, “In my videos, if the he suggests, and put policies and procedures to get Seaport going. Megan was completely house has a pool, I’m jumping into it. If it has in place now so you don’t have to reinvent the supportive. Now Ben’s wife, she worked as a water access, I’m paddleboarding. One seller wheel later. As an entrepreneur, he said, you Seaport agent for a time, but is now busy at is a car dealer, so I’m driving up in the video must be willing to fail and should actually strive home with Lillian, 4; Anderson, 2; and Cameron, in one of his most premier cars. These videos to fail at something every day – otherwise, born July 1. have allowed us to stand out against other real you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. Be estate companies because we have pushed willing to invest in yourself frst and ensure that Visit seaportrealestategroup.com.

Dawn Preske Britt ’90

Seventeen is Dawn Britt’s lucky number. That’s So she created a business to provide what she one reason the business she created in 2013 is had sought when she was the client. OneSeven known as the OneSeven Agency. Agency is a full-service integrated marketing agency – she described it as one source that Dawn Preske Britt graduated from Mercyhurst fuses seven core traditional and non-traditional in 1990 with majors in marketing and fashion facets of communications to produce strong, merchandising. She worked in the beauty and measurable results: marketing, public relations, fashion retail industries on the East Coast for social media, creative, digital, events, and several years. Then, ready for a change, she partnerships. moved west to Las Vegas, where she could advance her career in the hospitality and Dawn had the PR and marketing entertainment industries. communications background and her business and life partner H Farahi owned a boutique From 2002 until 2013, she worked for Sands creative agency and printing company. In the Her advice to potential entrepreneurs? “Just Corp., rising to become executive corporate beginning, she worked at her dining room do it. But be ready to work really hard – I’m not director of communications for the Fortune table, but seven years later the business has kidding 24/7 – the business needs to be your 500 company. She had more than a decade of grown to a staf of 15 and a 5,000-square-foot child, your passion, your everything. Don’t be public relations and marketing experience in ofce. The client list has grown from just one afraid to do it, because you’re never going to be Las Vegas, including overseeing the opening of – Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants – to more than ready, and all the studying in the world won’t the $1 billion Palazzo property in 2007, before 40, with a focus in hospitality, restaurants, make you ready.” she decided to launch her own company. nonprofts, health and wellness, beauty, consumer lifestyle, and entertainment brands. She says her focus has always been on building Dawn had worked with many agencies and maintaining relationships with everyone, when she oversaw communications for She’s now hired a creative content manager, a as you never know when a relationship will The Venetian and The Palazzo, but was social media coordinator, and a vice president become an opportunity. Being an entrepreneur never completely satisfed. She wanted an for business development, marketing and is all about having strong relationships and agency that understood how to integrate all events. The agency has a presence in the major savvy networking skills. communication media to create the strongest media markets of Los Angeles and New York, message possible for a brand. and is looking for possible future expansions in Visit one7communications.com. Dallas, Houston, and Austin. 5 Mercy sister’s pioneering cancer research made headlines in ’60s, ’70s By Sue Corbran

When she decided to bring cancer research to Mercyhurst, even Sister Modest beginnings Eymard Poydock probably had no Sister Eymard added research to idea just how far her team would go. her biology curriculum in 1961-62. She taught junior biology majors She started in 1961 in a makeshift the basics of biological research, laboratory under the eaves of Egan and then mentored seniors as they Hall and with a shoestring budget. conducted their own experiments. But over nearly three decades, Sister Eymard would recruit dozens of The program started small, very Mercyhurst students – and adult small. After getting the OK from community volunteers – into her President Sister Loretta McHale, study. Sister Eymard had to fnd space and equipment. At its peak in the mid-1970s, Sister’s team developed a cancer-fghting “We started from the subbasement compound that attracted nationwide of Egan to the 4th foor ‘cat walk,’ attention. The researchers dubbed but we could not fnd any available their combination of vitamins and space,” Sister Eymard later wrote. enzymes “Mercytamin” in tribute “Sister Loretta then told me I could to the Sisters of Mercy. Though the use one free room on Egan 3rd until product never made it to market, a foor could be put on the left side for a time it seemed to hold great of the cat walk.” Sister Eymard sold a promise for curing some cancers. secondhand typewriter she’d been given and used the $50 to pay for Writing for Prevention magazine in that fooring and for shelving to hold 1982, alumnus Randy Byrd ’74 said, her mouse cages. “It appeared that Sister Eymard had found a cancer-inhibiting agent that The cancer research project would not only stops many kinds of cancer, grow into other makeshift locations but does so with absolutely no side in Old Main. Small annual grants from efects in healthy tissue.” the National Science Foundation and the American Cancer Society through Today, websites that promote the 1960s helped purchase needed alternative treatments for cancer still equipment and paid stipends suggest patients give the treatment to the students carrying out the a try, one of them calling it a “nun’s experiments. But when Zurn Hall divine cancer cure.” of Science and Fine Arts opened in 1968, Sister Eymard fnally got the facility she needed, designed and equipped to carry on her research. 6 Damian Gallina cares for the mice used in Mercyhurst’s cancer research program.

the vitamin compound. In addition, the treated The path to ‘Mercytamin’ animals lived longer than those that didn’t Sister Eymard had completed a fellowship in receive C and B12. 1960 at the Institutum Divi Thomae, a graduate Promising results occurred as early as 1973, but school for scientifc research in Cincinnati, and a cautious Sister Eymard kept up her diligent earned her Ph.D. in biology and experimental pursuit accruing positive data. In 1975, a medicine there in 1965. newspaper report noted that the compound The frst research projects her students had already been created 86 separate times Sister Mary Eymard conducted grew out of Sister Eymard’s work at – and tested through 186 experiments. Once the Institutum Divi Thomae, working alongside the National Cancer Institute corroborated her Poydock results, Sister Eymard was ready to share her her mentors, Drs. George Sperti and John Fardon. Sister Mary Eymard Poydock graduated The research focused on how a developing work. In 1979, her paper appeared in the journal Experimental Cell Biology. from Mercyhurst College in 1943, tumor afects cell division in normal body tissue earned a master ’s degree from the surrounding the cancer cells. Each year, she Sister published more than a dozen papers University of Pittsburgh, and received shepherded her students through increasingly in a variety of scientifc journals, but she also a Ph.D. in biology and experimental complex studies of cancer in mice. Eventually, noted proudly, “This research gave Mercyhurst medicine from the Institutum Divi projects began to focus on how cancer-fghting million-dollar publicity when the results of Thomae in 1965. drugs afected other parts of the body, with an experiments done at Mercyhurst were aired from eye to mitigating some of their devastating side coast-to-coast on CBS under the title ‘Report on She was a member of the Mercyhurst efects. Only later did the thought of fnding an Medicine.’” faculty for 44 years, from 1947 to 1991, actual cure for cancer emerge. and chaired the biology department for Sister Eymard clearly hoped her work would much of that time. Her students continued to do excellent work, lead to trials on larger animals and eventually on but turnover was high as they graduated and humans. But despite modifcations to the original While shes’ best known for her moved on to graduate school or research jobs. Mercytamin compound, they weren’t able to pioneering cancer research, she had a So, in 1969, Sister Eymard expanded cancer develop a formulation that was consistently broad interest in science. As a botany research again, starting an evening course for efective. The research program – funded for 20 buf, she was responsible for planting adult volunteers. Seven community members years primarily with just $75,000 in grants from many trees on the Mercyhurst campus. completed the three years of training. the NSF and American Cancer Society – had In 1969 she organized an Intersession neither the money nor the resources to pursue trip to Florida where students studied It was one of those volunteers – local pharmacist marine biology. Damian “Dan” Gallina – who frst proposed the it further. concept that eventually became “Mercytamin.” Still, Dan Gallina – now retired and living in Sister Eymard found relaxation by Then Sister Eymard and her team went to work. Erie – wonders if they may have been on the painting, in both oil and watercolor. Her The tests involved implanting cancerous tumors right track. He says cancer researchers are now works were well-received; in summer in laboratory mice, then injecting half of them investigating some of the same cellular reactions, 1971 she was able to tour Europe with a combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin such as DNA methylation via vitamin B12, that thanks to proceeds from a show of her B12. They discovered that the tumors continued Hurst researchers explored all those years ago. art. She retired around 1991 and died in to grow rapidly in untreated mice, but cancer 1998 at the age of 87. growth stopped completely in those exposed to

Sister Eymard documented her career and the cancer research project in scrapbooks that have been digitized by the Mercyhurst University Archives. You can view them at archives.mercyhurst.edu. Were you involved with Sister Eymard’s cancer research project? We’d love to hear your story. Email Sue Corbran at [email protected]. 7 Kern gift creates presidential residence

For years, the stately brick Tudor at 3906 State Street with its elegant Betsy Frank, director of executive ofce projects and events, has overseen leaded glass windows and steeply pitched slate roof served as the family the renovation. For months, she haunted high-end consignment home of Bruce and Nancy Kern. boutiques throughout the region in search of furnishings and décor that would match the home’s 1920s origins. She didn’t need to locate a Thanks to a generous gift from the Kern family, the 4,295 square feet dining set, though – the set that belonged to original owners James and of spacious rooms, gleaming hardwood foors, and ornate black Anna Dwyer had remained in the house. But she did locate a mural of the walnut woodwork is now the ofcial Presidential Residence of Virginia countryside that will enhance the dining room. Mercyhurst University. The kitchen will be functional for a presidential family in the future, but it President Michael Victor says the home – now known as the Kern House – also boasts three ovens, a wine refrigerator, and other equipment needed promises to become a social and cultural center where the university can for catering ofcial Mercyhurst events. host alumni, students, faculty, and other special guests. While he doesn’t plan to move from his family home in Millcreek, it will also be the home Outside, the university painted the trim in a rich brown-and-cream of future Mercyhurst presidents. combination to refect the classic Tudor style, and repaired the nearly 90-year-old slate roof. Bruce and Nancy Kern are longtime supporters of Mercyhurst; their son, Scott, currently serves on the board of trustees. When they decided to The frst phase of improvements included the exterior work and the frst- part with the home they had lived in for nearly 30 years, they wanted it foor public spaces. Eventually the four bedrooms and three baths on in the hands of someone who could appreciate its architectural integrity the second foor will be restored; the third foor could be converted into and take responsibility as good stewards. additional living space. “Architecturally, the house is a natural ft for Mercyhurst,” Nancy said. “It The newly renovated Kern House will be open to the public Nov. 9 and looks like it could be sitting right on campus and not be out of place. We 10 as a stop on the ffth annual Holiday Tour of Homes to beneft the Erie knew we’d be putting it in good hands.” Philharmonic. During the years the Kerns lived there, it had a cozy, casual vibe. In its new role, it will be decidedly more formal. 8 Above, far left: Bruce and Nancy Kern turn over the keys to their former home to President Michael T. Victor. Above, left: Sisters (from top) Anne Schaaf Rahner, Mary Schaaf Mulard, Ellen Schaaf Innes, and Katie Schaaf check out the new look of their former family home. Above, right: Betsy Frank shows of renovations to the Kern House to Sheila Dwyer Grove, who lived in the home as a child.

Judge Dwyer grew up in the home at 3906 State. In 1962, he and his Historic ties to Mercyhurst wife, Margaret Quinn Dwyer, bought the family home and moved in with their six children. Attorney Peter Schaaf, who also served as a Mercyhurst Mercyhurst’s new presidential residence sits several blocks from campus, trustee, and his wife, Peg, purchased the home in 1970, and the Kerns but fts perfectly with the school’s architectural style. As it turns out, it’s purchased it from the Schaafs in the late 1980s. also a great historical ft. Many other familiar Mercyhurst names also have ties to the new When the Kerns’ generous donation was announced, Trustee Patrick presidential residence. For instance, Judge Dwyer’s sister Ruth married Weschler, an Erie history buf, was quick to point out, “I don’t think there is prominent Erie builder Bob Baldwin and moved across the street from a residence in Erie with more Mercyhurst connections.” her childhood home to 3857 State Street. Bob Baldwin and his brother, Art, both later served as Mercyhurst trustees. (Baldwin Hall, a residence The beautiful Tudor Norman home was built in 1928 for James B. and for women on the Mercyhurst campus, is named in honor of their aunt, Anna Ryan Dwyer. The Dwyers’ two eldest sons would go on to operate Mabel Baldwin.) the family business, Firch Baking. Margaret Quinn Dwyer was an early member of the Carpe Diem Society, Their third son, James B. Dwyer Jr., became a lawyer and later an Erie a group of female graduates and friends of the college formed in 1966 to County judge. Along the way, he became involved at Mercyhurst at a help with friend-making and fundraising. Like many family members, she pivotal time in its history. had attended Mercyhurst Seminary, which operated in the same building as the college until Mercyhurst Preparatory School opened on Grandview In 1961, Sister Carolyn Herrmann created the school’s frst advisory board Boulevard in 1963. of lay people to help guide the college’s future. James B. Dwyer Jr. was one of the frst community leaders appointed to serve. Family gatherings at the Dwyer house usually included a variety of Quinns and Weschlers, too. Margaret Dwyer’s widowed father, Frank Two years later, Mercyhurst’s trustees – then all Sisters of Mercy – voted Quinn, had married Florence Weschler. Sister Mary Charles Weschler, to add two laypeople to the board, and James B. Dwyer Jr. and Richard the legendary chemistry teacher at Mercyhurst, was one of Florence’s Wehle became the school’s frst lay trustees. As Dr. Roy Strausbaugh siblings. And Patrick Weschler is the son of their brother, Frank Weschler. noted in his history of Mercyhurst, “The college was no longer the sole province of the Sisters of Mercy. The new board, including these two laymen, appointed Sister Carolyn Herrmann president on Oct. 8, 1963.” 9 Anthro alumni search for answers in high-profile forensics cases By Deborah W. Morton

They are helpless to stave of a hurricane, a wild hit Puerto Rico in modern times. Dirkmaat accustomed to identifying burn victims from fre, or a drug deal turned deadly, but they are was among the sought-after experts called her years at Mercyhurst and beyond. She there in the grisly after-efects that defne their upon to help by the American Society of Crime earned her doctorate from the University of work as forensic anthropologists. Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and National Pretoria in South Africa. Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). Many graduates of Mercyhurst University’s Still, she told USA Today, nothing in her master’s degree program in the Department of He, Ost, and Dunn volunteered their time catalogue of crime scenes and disasters Applied Forensic Sciences are doing the kind and made the trip with fve other board- approached the scope of the damage she of feld work that Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat and his certifed forensic anthropologists, hailing from witnessed at Paradise. “I’ve never experienced colleagues prepared them to do in analyzing Washington, D.C., Missouri, Texas, New York, anything like that before,” she said, although skeletal remains. Are they human? If so, was and Louisiana. admittedly her Mercyhurst education was the person male or female? What about age, instrumental in preparing her. stature, geographic ancestry, and probable As grad students at Mercyhurst, Dunn and cause of death? They call it the “biological Ost worked on dozens of cases, scenarios “Dr. Dirkmaat established a program that had profle.” that typically included the retrieval of on- the perfect mix of hands-on experience and site remains and return to Mercyhurst for lab classroom-based knowledge that resulted In the past year, a handful of those grads have analysis. In San Juan, they worked fve days in competent anthropologists,” she said. been busy with high-profle cases. Last winter, straight, sunup to sundown, in the disaster “Additional experience working with the short Dirkmaat and alumnae Andrea Ost and Rhian morgue, gratifed that they were able to use courses he ofered each summer enabled us Dunn, who spent the 2018-2019 academic year their skills to help close the remaining 47 cases to learn from and work with some of the best teaching in the same program from which they there. in the feld as well as establish professional graduated, traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to relationships.” put their skills to work in the morgue. Last fall, another Mercyhurst grad, Dr. Kyra Stull, was among a team tasked with identifying Looking back, she said Mercyhurst ofered Budget cuts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria victims of the 215-square-mile Camp Fire in more than a rigorous academic program; the (September 2017) left an overcrowded morgue Paradise, California. Stull, who co-led a team camaraderie among the forensic anthropology and depleted professional staf to identify of 10 students from the University of Nevada, faculty and cohorts had its own perks. “I still victims of the most destructive hurricane to Reno, where she is an assistant professor, is work with, publish with, and am friends with

Forensic anthropologists Kyra Stull, left, and Tatiana Vlemincq walk through a trailer park destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, on Nov. 17, 2018. (Reuters/Terray Sylvester) 10 my colleagues from Mercyhurst,” forensic casework is unmatched by she said. “Not all graduate programs any other institution. In fact, she was foster that type of relationship introduced to the staf of her current and collegiality. My experiences at employer nearly 15 years ago Mercyhurst have defnitely shaped through cases on which Dirkmaat’s how I run my own research lab department had lent assistance. today and how I interact with my students as well as encourage them Clearly, the nature of her work gives to interact with one another.” many people pause, and she’s used to their bewilderment. “Each person Last year, another Mercyhurst has a role to fulfll and, although Mercyhurst rolls out red carpet grad, Erin Chapman ’10, was the mine may not seem appealing to for forensic anthropology all-stars subject of a feature in The Bufalo everyone, there are a number of News, about her unique role as careers that I am not emotionally When Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat began the graduate program in forensic a forensic anthropologist in the equipped to perform,” she said. anthropology at Mercyhurst University 15 years ago, he had high hopes Erie County (New York) Medical “Learning to focus on the science that the students trained under his watch would go on to top-flight Examiner’s Ofce, and the many helps me to remain as unbiased as doctoral programs and the careers of their dreams. interesting cases she is called upon possible and emotionally detached The master’s degree program represented the frst in the country to evaluate, from bodies pulled from at some level. To best serve a focused primarily on providing students with a comprehensive basic the lake and rivers around Bufalo deceased individual and their family, training regimen in the feld. To this day, Dirkmaat and his team of faculty to the remains of murder victims one must put feelings aside and and graduate students are regularly called upon by law enforcement, discovered in the woods. focus on answering the important coroners, and medical examiners across the tri-state area to evaluate questions in order to bring a family cases from human death scenes, spanning crimes to natural disasters. “Chapman is one of a small number the justice or answers they seek.” of anthropologists in the nation Over the summer Dirkmaat welcomed back some of those trailblazers who works in a medical examiner’s When it comes to niche academic as part of his “All-Stars Forensic Anthropology Short Course.”Thirteen ofce,” the Buf News noted. “Most programs at Mercyhurst, forensic students were enrolled in the two -week course, hoping to glean medical examiners employ forensic anthropology gets its nod time and knowledge, improve their skills, and even snag career advice from nine of the earliest students in Dirkmaat’s program who have gone on to achieve pathologists who examine organs, again for the volume of real cases success in the feld. soft tissues and bodily fuids to students work on while attending determine a cause of death. By college. Dirkmaat often refects The visiting alumni presenters included: contrast, forensic anthropologists upon the year he welcomed a group study skeletal remains.” of new grad students to the frst • Dr. Joseph Hefner ’99, Dirkmaat’s frst graduate student, currently day of class. He hadn’t even learned an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and director of the Forensic Unlike colleagues who have built their names when he told them to Anthropology Laboratory at Michigan State University careers in academia, Chapman “pack up, we’re going down state to • Dr. Kyra Stull ’08, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of derives satisfaction from being process the scene of a plane crash.” Nevada, Reno an asset to law enforcement, largely driven by her Mercyhurst And so it began … and so it • Dr. Heather Garvin ’07, Assistant Professor of Anatomy at Des experience where she said the continues. Moines University Medical School, Des Moines, Iowa opportunity to assist with active • Dr. Nicholas Passalacqua ’07, Assistant Professor and Forensic Anthropology Program Coordinator at Western Carolina University, Culhowee, North Carolina

• Dr. Alex Klales ’09, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas

• Dr. Erin Chapman ’06, forensic anthropologist for the Erie County, New York, Medical Examiner’s Ofce in Bufalo

• Dr. Sara Getz ’11, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Idaho State, Pocatello, Idaho

• Diana Messer ’13M, Forensic Anthropologist for SNA International in support of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Hawaii

• Christopher Rainwater ’06M, Forensic Anthropologist in the Ofce of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York.

Four of the alumni (Hefner, Passalacqua, Klales and Stull) have also already attained board certifcation within the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the highest status in the field of forensic anthropology.

“When our students graduate, our primary goal is that they have a signifcant impact and become leaders in their chosen disciplines,” said Mercyhurst Provost Dr. Leanne Roberts. “Having alumni return to campus to share their expertise and wisdom gained from time spent in the profession after graduation is truly a privilege.” 11 Single collegiate moms University ofers merciful new beginnings

By Mary Solberg • Reprinted with permission from the March issue of Faith, the magazine of the Erie Catholic Diocese

College life is more than 8 a.m. classes, research son, William, isn’t present that night, but subsequent college, according to the Best Colleges website. papers and exams for four women enrolled at get-togethers quickly include the only boy in the Single moms, it fnds, make up 43 percent of the Mercyhurst University North East in Erie County. group. student-parent population, while single fathers comprise 11 percent. It also means studying well past midnight after “I’m more relaxed now,” says Jasmine, who, at 22, is they’ve fed their rambunctious toddlers, read them the youngest of the mothers. “I’m happier. I’m not About three years ago, Mercyhurst University books and tucked them in for the night. The scenario stressed out.” President Michael Victor became intrigued by the is repeated most days, amid the usual runny noses concept of a Women With Children program while and occasional tantrums. at the Conference for Mercy Higher Education in A growing demographic Washington, D.C. For these single collegiate moms, responsibilities don’t end there. Most also hold down a part-time job Stress can impede growth on many fronts, both Misericordia University, a private Catholic liberal arts to pay the bills. physically and mentally. university in Dallas, Pennsylvania, and the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, both founded But mercy has come to the aid of students Jasmine A 2018 paper released by the Institute for Women’s by the Sisters of Mercy, ofer similar single-mother Butcher, Daijah Campbell, Quanshay Carroll and Policy Research found that single mothers who programs. Victor proposed the idea for Mercyhurst Jennifer White. All have been accepted into a attend college full time spend nine hours a day on North East, which has a current enrollment of 660. new Women With Children program ofered at child care and housework. Mercyhurst North East, a two-year Catholic liberal “It goes right back to the critical concerns of the arts satellite campus of Erie’s Mercyhurst University. “Single mothers in college are doing double and Sisters of Mercy, which is to battle poverty through triple duty to make a better life for their families, education,”Victor says. “What we believe is that this The groundbreaking program’s biggest perks are but too few have the support needed to juggle the is the path to break the cycle of poverty. If we give rent-free housing on campus, including free utilities, competing demands of college, parenthood and them an opportunity to do well, the children will do laundry services, cable and internet service. employment,” according to Lindsey Reichlin Cruse, well.” the institute’s current study director who was quoted All of the women agree that the daily chaos and in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a publication of Mercy Sister JoAnne Courneen, a member of the worries of attending college and raising children – the College Media Association. board of trustees, visited Misericordia and two other on a single income at or near the poverty level – are institutions to learn about their programs. She and more bearable now. But single moms – including those at Mercyhurst Jackie Fink, the director of administrative services North East – are not alone. U.S. Census Bureau at the North East campus, also conducted more “It’s been a blessing on top of a blessing,” says statistics released in 2016 found that children living research about its benefts and challenges, including Quanshay Carroll, 23, who entered the program in with a single mother make up the second most ensuring the safety of children on a college campus. January with her 4-year-old daughter, Delaysia. common family arrangement in the U.S. That’s nearly triple the percentage of children living with single The benefts of the Women With Children program The words “blessed” and “grateful” come up moms in 1960. were so evident that Mercyhurst fast-tracked it and frequently during a recent talk with the women at welcomed the frst cohort last fall. the school’s Matthew L. Ryan Student Union. They These facts, and a plethora of others, are of watch as Delaysia, a newcomer to the program, increasing interest to colleges and universities. Fink believes Mercyhurst is now among only a plays with Jasmine’s daughter, Noella, 2; and Daijah’s handful of universities nationwide that ofer year- daughters, Dallas, 2, and Dasani, 4. White’s 2-year-old More than one-quarter of all undergraduate students round, free on-campus housing for single mothers. in America are raising children while attending 12 Yet, according to BestColleges.com, there are several Daijah, at one time, was working and living in Erie, program. I don’t know that I would be able to aford more, specifcally 20, that are reshaping education paying $750 a month for an apartment. She lost her gas for my car.” by ofering programs for single parents, both moms job, forcing her and her two daughters to return to and dads. her grandmother’s home. It also has bolstered self-confdence and instilled an enduring hope for the future. At North East, the four student-moms and their Quanshay was living with her mother in Erie, but the children share connecting townhouses at the “racket” created by her younger brother and sister, “I have no thought about going backwards now,” northern edge of campus, only a short walk to the along with her own needy child, wasn’t conducive to Jennifer adds. “I just want to give my son a good life.” school’s Ridge Library. studying.

“This speaks to what the word ‘mercy’ means,” Sister Jasmine’s parents’ house in Crawford County was old JoAnne says. “It means going beyond charity to and flled with cigarette smoke. Little Noella made improving quality of life. We’re really empowering about four trips to the hospital last year for asthma- them; we’re not taking care of them.” related issues.

Jennifer, at 33 the oldest of the moms, was paying Painful stories turn hopeful $500 per month for an apartment in North East. She knew she had to break the cycle of poverty and If you ask Daijah Campbell’s 4-year-old daughter, uncertainty. Dasani, what she thinks of living with her mom on a college campus, she shouts one simple response: They all applied and were accepted to Mercyhurst “Great!” North East, and all of them have chosen health- related majors, merciful in their own right. Jennifer is “And what’s your mom studying?” she’s asked. majoring in health studies, Quanshay and Daijah are in the licensed practical nurse program, and Jasmine “Homework!” Dasani says. is studying for her registered nurse degree.

For toddlers, it doesn’t get any simpler than that. Says Daijah: “A lot of mothers already feel that we’re Yet, the moms enrolled in Mercyhurst’s Women With caring and nurturing. We already have some of those Children program have much more complicated lives qualities that nurses have.” and responsibilities. Jackie Fink, who now also serves as the Women With Each of them was admitted to the program because Children program director, meets regularly with each they were living at or near the poverty level. Only of the moms. She ensures the institutional safety of single mothers with up to two children, between the their children and that the women take advantage ages of 2 and 10, are eligible. of all the benefts of the program, including family enrichment classes, individual goal planning Daijah, Jasmine, Quanshay and Jennifer all share sessions, academic support, career services, on- strikingly similar stories. All of them were attending campus counseling, and parenting and information college or some other post-secondary certifcation/ workshops. training program when they became pregnant by a boyfriend. Erie Dawn, a local advocacy agency for women in transition, partners with the program to provide All of them were forced because of fnances and assistance to the mothers on an as-needed basis. resources to discontinue their education. It was, as Nearby St. Gregory School has opened its doors Jennifer aptly describes it, a “mostly difcult” time. to any of the children eligible for its preschool and Quanshay, who was attending Pittsburgh’s Carlow elementary programs, but at this time the women University, calls having to quit school “devastating.” have secured day-care services elsewhere.

None of them married their children’s fathers, but all “This program is going to take these women into of the kids are in touch with their dads in one way or new career paths in which they’ll be independent another, either through occasional face-to-face visits and good providers for their families,” Fink says. or via cell phone. According to Jasmine, the Women With Children Each mom also has depended heavily the past few program bypasses any negative judgment of single years on family – either parents, grandparents or moms. aunts – to help them with baby-sitting, car rides and emotional support. While housing had been one of “Some people wouldn’t look so positive on a single the biggest stressors in their lives, it also motivated mother, but Mercyhurst took that thought and them to move on. completely turned it around so that we can be productive and successful,” Jasmine says. “I don’t know if I’d still be coming to school if I wasn’t in this

Update:

Program Director Jackie Fink reports that the four women highlighted in this story are doing well academically and making progress toward their degrees. The Women With Children program is at capacity for the fall semester, however, Fink maintains a waiting list for interested families. Visit northeast.mercyhurst.edu/women-with-children to learn more. 13 Happenings at the Hurst Spadafor gift to benefit music department Erie native Christine Spadafor, an accomplished Although neither Spadafor nor members of her said. “Rather, we desire that mom’s generosity executive whose extensive career experience family are Mercyhurst alumni, Spadafor said and kindness to others be carried forward in ranges from corporate board rooms to they are well aware of Mercyhurst’s acclaimed perpetuity.” nonprofts, announced a generous gift this music program as well as the university’s spring that will beneft Mercyhurst’s D’Angelo overarching commitment to arts and culture. She made the same point when she addressed Department of Music. the Class of 2019. Spadafor challenged students “These gifts are endowments because we seek to balance external success with the more Spadafor, who also spoke at Mercyhurst’s 91st to make more than a momentary gesture,” she internal rewards of purpose, meaning and Commencement on May 12, chose to name the giving back to others. gift in honor of her late mother, Mary – a tribute to her mother’s lifelong love of music, as well as her commitment to community service. The Mary A. Spadafor Endowed Chair of Music will support the salary, professional development, expenses and other scholarly activities of the chair of the Mercyhurst Music Department, a position currently held by Nathan Hess. The Mary Pellegrino Spadafor Scholarship for Voice Performance is merit-based and will help with activities like internships, music festival study, and graduate school auditions. The inaugural scholarship recipient is senior Lydia Bolin of Orono, Maine. Both endowments will be administered by the Erie Community Foundation. Christine Spadafor poses with several graduating seniors she interviewed while preparing her commencement speech. From left: Cole Prots, Christian Copper, Meghan Maker, Abby Miller, Christine Spadafor, Daisy Le, Maura West, Rachel Hull, Erin Jenkins and Vince Marrazzo. Marrazzo – this year’s Carpe Diem Award winner – also spoke at graduation. (Photo by GradImages) Dance studio renamed to honor Tauna Hunter

Studio B in the Zurn Hall danceSpace has been cultivate while in college: perseverance, renamed the Hunter Studio in honor of Tauna stamina, motivation and discipline, creativity Hunter, who retired this spring after a 25-year and resilience, and the ability to interpret and career with Mercyhurst’s Dance Department. communicate stories. And Tauna represents the kind of teacher that Mercyhurst prides itself in: Mercyhurst Trustees approved the honor at personal, creative, transformative.” their Feb. 16 meeting and the dedication took place May 9, after Hunter and husband Michael Hunter chaired the dance department for 24 Gleason, also a Mercyhurst dance professor, years before stepping down from the post last returned from spending the fnal weeks year in anticipation of her retirement. of spring semester with dance students at Mercyhurst’s campus in Dungarvan, Ireland. The May event capped a year full of tributes for Hunter. In November 2018, she accepted a During the dedication, President Michael T. Lifetime Achievement Award from Erie Arts & Victor called the program Hunter developed Culture. “a signature Mercyhurst program of national acclaim.” And in January, dozens of her former students from all over the country returned to Erie for a He added, “If you look at the qualities inherent surprise retirement celebration, and “one last Past and present dance faculty in the Hunter Studio: Michael Gleason, Tauna Hunter, C. Noelle Partusch, Solveig in a professional dancer, you realize that many class” with their beloved mentor. Santillano, Mark Santillano, Leslie Bories-Scalise. of them are what we hope all our students

14 Seniors fund Living the Dream Scholarship

When members of the Class of 2019 arrived President Michael T. Victor with a check for Class of 2018 create an endowed scholarship on campus in August of 2015, their orientation $15,099.78 to fund the newly created Living the honoring Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, RSM. featured a presentation by motivational Dream Scholarship. speaker Curtis Zimmerman. “It is amazing how these students have had the “Living the dream is helping others to live the ability to pull together with relatively limited Zimmerman has been a regular at Mercyhurst dream and you are doing just that with this resources and raise this amount of money for orientations for more than decade. Drawing scholarship,” Zimmerman told the students. The a scholarship,” said Kubiak. “I am both happy from his own career in the entertainment scholarship will assist with tuition costs for a and honored to have been asked by President industry, Zimmerman urges students to student who is pursuing an internship or career Victor to help enable this opportunity and I position their lives as performances: you defne experience. look forward to seeing the connection these your character, write your script, and cast your students maintain with the university in the show wisely to live your dream. Alumnus and Trustee Lev Kubiak had agreed years to come.” to match the money raised by the students up During graduation weekend in May, to $10,000, creating an endowed scholarship Trustee Lev Kubiak, President Michael Victor, Curtis Zimmerman was back at Mercyhurst to witness that will beneft students indefnitely. He made Zimmerman, and senior leaders Cole Prots, Taylor Cavaretta, the impact of his words as seniors presented a similar matching gift last year to help the Rachel Hull and Maddie Weitz. Class of ’69 creates endowed scholarship

The Class of 1969 celebrated its 50th anniversary during Reunion Weekend in June. Class members presented President Michael T. Victor with a check for $25,000 to establish the Class of 1969 Endowed Scholarship.

On hand for the gathering were (seated from left) Emily Fatica Sertz, Patti Sullivan, Bonnie DeLuca Faulkner, Kathleen Kelley Smith, Louise Tavinello, Meda Mitchell Lee, and Bernadette Fill Krehnovi; (standing from left), Kathy Cermak Polito, Mary Sroka Kollin, Lynda Underwood Lefaiver, Catherine Varca, Cheryl Stroup, Mary Ann Morton-Bliley, Christine Syguda Bailey, Mary Fisher Yonkers, Marcy Mikulec Galitsky, Lynn Varricchio, Ann Brugger Schoeller, Rosalie Hodas Tellers, Teri Zupsic Reese, Camille Delucia Matthews, and Sylvia D’Aurora Reising.

15 Former hockey All-American Kristen Cameron graduates from Mercyhurst

It’s been nearly a decade since former women’s Program director Dr. Anne Zaphiris said assistant ice hockey coach Kristen Cameron Cameron earned her degree through online was struck by a hit-and-run drunk driver while and correspondence classes, achieving a 3.9 bicycling on Route 19 in Summit Township. GPA. She received the Sister Eustace Taylor Award for Excellence in Organizational She sufered catastrophic injuries that left her Leadership at this year’s Honors Convocation. paralyzed from the chest down and limited the use of her arms. Said Zaphiris, “Extraordinary leaders have resilience; fnding meaning in adversity, After years of physical rehabilitation, including persevering without losing hope, and a long stint at the Toronto Rehabilitation emerging stronger and transformed with Institute’s Lyndhurst Centre, Kristen is playing newfound commitment and abilities. Kristen sports, including as a member of the Canadian Cameron exemplifes these characteristics.” National Wheelchair Rugby team since 2016; she’s learned to drive a car; she’s a sought- “It’s hard to put into words how much it means after motivational speaker and a peer support to fnally fnish this degree,” said Cameron. “The mentor with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario. And in entire Mercyhurst community, in particular 2014, she received the Ralph W. Braun Spirit of Professor Zaphiris, has been incredibly Ability Award in Ontario. supportive. I’m proud to fnally close the door on this chapter of my life so I can seize the And, fnally, after a nine-year hiatus, she opportunities this degree will help bring in the realized her dream and graduated from future.” Mercyhurst University with a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Dr. Anne Zaphiris, Kristen Cameron, President Michael T. Victor MIAC announces blockbuster 2019-20 season

The Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center presents an evening of popular standards from • April 1 – Broadway leading man Brian will host a spectacular lineup of world-class Broadway, Hollywood and beyond. Stokes Mitchell talent during the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts • April 16 – legendary actress Glenn Close & Culture’s 2019-20 MIAC Live season. Director The season will also feature: Brett D. Johnson, Ph.D., said the Institute’s

eclectic roster of oferings promises something • Oct. 18 – author David Sedaris Visit miac.mercyhurst.edu or call the box for everyone, from Broadway to Hollywood, • Nov. 2 – singer/songwriter Rufus ofce at 814-824-3000 to check ticket world music to country and folk, and comic Wainwright availability. ballet to observational humor. • Nov. 14 – country superstar Rosanne Cash The 2019-20 MIAC Live series is made possible Johnson noted that all Live performances • Dec. 2 – Australian ensemble The TEN through the generosity of Scott Enterprises, during the past two seasons have sold out, and Tenors Dr. & Mrs. Robert Guelcher, Aetna, and the Erie he expects that trend to continue. • Feb. 11 – Yamato: The Drummers of Japan County Gaming Revenue Authority. The 2019-20 season begins Thursday, Sept. 19, • March 3 – comic ballet troupe Les Ballets when Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth Trockadero de Monte Carlo Mercyhurst named PA’s second Purple Heart University

Mercyhurst – long known as a military-friendly The award recognizes Mercyhurst’s More than a dozen area Purple Heart recipients institution and home to more than 50 student- commitment to MOPH’s primary goal to were on hand when Mercyhurst President veterans – has been designated as a Purple provide services to veterans and their families; Michael Victor made the designation ofcial Heart University, making it only the second more specifcally, veterans who were wounded at a ceremony that kicked of the campus college in Pennsylvania to receive the honor in combat while serving their country and are celebration of Veterans Day. They included from the Military Order of the Purple Heart now pursuing their higher education careers at Cody Harrington, Mercyhurst’s only Purple (MOPH). Mercyhurst. Heart recipient; Ryan Burniston, husband of faculty member Dr. Amy Burniston; and alumnus Scott Miller. 16 Jim Snyder receives Teaching Excellence Award

Calling him a “teacher in the model of the best,” Mercyhurst He teaches and has created courses both for the liberal University has chosen Philosophy Department Chair arts core curriculum and Philosophy major, as well James Snyder, Ph.D., as the 2019 recipient of its Teaching as tutorials, interdisciplinary classes, Honors classes, Excellence Award. and courses designed for Faculty-led Study Abroad Trips. His contributions to Mercyhurst include serving Provost Dr. Leanne M. Roberts noted that his colleagues as department chair and on a variety of university describe Snyder as a scholar with a brilliant mind, a committees. thoughtful and gentle human when interacting with all living things, and a man who loves the discipline of Snyder has contributed to a vast range of publications and Philosophy. “Taking these in sum, it is no surprise Dr. presentations during his Mercyhurst career. This summer, Snyder was chosen for this award. He is most deserving he attended a prestigious Council of Independent Colleges and we are fortunate he has made Mercyhurst his home seminar on the Ancient Greek Hero at Harvard University’s for the past 18 years.” Center for Hellenistic Studies, which is designed to increase and expand student engagement with the literature of ancient Greece. Associate provost appointed

John Olszowka, Ph.D., has been named associate provost focus on industry and market demands, and will facilitate for Graduate Programming & Strategic Academic innovative non-degree programming. Initiatives. Olszowka is a 14-year veteran and former chair of the He’ll serve as the academic leader for Mercyhurst’s Thomas B. Hagen History Department and most recently graduate programs; work with Provost’s Council served as associate dean of the Hafenmaier College of on program development and administration; and Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. collaborate with the Ofce of Graduate Enrollment to scale graduate and professional programs. He’ll help to establish corporate and professional education opportunities that

In Memoriam

The Mercyhurst community continues to mourn the Thomas Kitchen, Assistant Professor of Special Education deaths of two beloved faculty members in recent months. and Applied Disability Studies, passed away on July 5. Dr. Karen Christensen Williams, Professor of Spanish, He was a two-time Mercyhurst graduate who returned to passed away April 27 from complications due to cancer. our campus in 2010 as a dedicated teacher who pioneered She was a dedicated and well-respected teacher of online learning in the Department of Education. His Spanish, linguistics, and culture for 23 years. Karen co- research was widely published and highly regarded in the wrote a text, Human Communication Across Cultures, felds of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. which refected her years of teaching sociolinguistics at He was a Board-Certifed Behavior Analyst whose expertise Mercyhurst, where students learned tolerance for our was sought by schools and agencies for work with linguistic and cultural diferences. complex cases and team training. He will be remembered as a caring clinician, a dedicated teacher, and a valued During a memorial service on campus on May 6, Dr. Alice colleague in his department. Edwards said of her colleague, “After 23 years, Karen left a legacy all over the country and the world: from Alaska, An on-campus memorial service will be held this fall. Indiana, and New York City, to Spain, Italy, and Vietnam; students who are now teachers, professors, artists, soldiers, and chefs have sent their condolences and remember Karen as a gentle but challenging mentor and inspirational teacher.”

17 Major construction highlights busy summer for Athletics Laker for Life Campaign of to exciting start

It has been quite the year for Athletics at When the campaign is completed, it will be a Mercyhurst. The campaign begins game-changer for all student-athletes, as every Designed to give the athletic facilities a much- on-campus athletic facility will be improved. On the feld, eight programs advanced to the needed upgrade, the Laker for Life Campaign NCAA Tournament, fueled by historic runs for “The launch of the Laker for Life Campaign was ofcially unveiled in February. men’s basketball, men’s rowing and baseball. signifes a new direction and vison for In the classroom, Mercyhurst’s 627 student- To kick-start the campaign, William and Betsy Mercyhurst Athletics,” said Director of Athletics athletes averaged a 3.27 grade-point average, Vorsheck donated $4 million, the largest alumni Brad Davis. “Because of the commitment to with 23 of 24 programs recording a 3.0 GPA or gift in school history. Mercyhurst Trustee and athletics from President Victor, Mercyhurst will better. This fall, Mercyhurst’s student-athletes Athletic Campaign Chair John Saxon gifted an transform its athletic programs and facilities will take the feld wearing Under Armour additional $1 million toward the campaign. To and signifcantly enhance the student-athlete uniforms, after a multi-year partnership was date, the campaign has raised upwards of $6.5 experience.” signed in January. million. But the most signifcant accomplishment in “We are extraordinarily grateful to Bill and Betsy Phase 1 projects to be athletics is the Laker for Life Campaign and the Vorsheck and John and Patty Saxon for making completed by Spring 2020 major construction happening on campus this an investment that will heighten the athletics summer and fall. experience for our fans and student-athletes Construction began in April with renovations and further enhance the Carpe Diem spirit that to the Mercyhurst Ice Center and will continue is signature Mercyhurst,” said President Michael through the fall and spring on a number of T. Victor. projects. Features of Phase 1 construction include: 18 The William Vorsheck Jr. Athletic The Mercyhurst Ice Center What’s Next? Complex and Saxon Stadium The cooling system at the Mercyhurst Ice Upgrades Center was upgraded for the frst time since Future projects are tied directly to the it was built in 1991. New dasher boards, glass, success of the Laker for Life Campaign and The newly named Saxon Stadium got some and fooring will also improve the playing and may include: big upgrades this summer, including a new spectator experience. synthetic turf surface for football, lacrosse, and • A major overhaul of the Mercyhurst feld hockey, as well as new LED lighting. The ice center’s walls and roof got a new coat Athletic Center, including a new and of paint, and the Zamboni area tripled in size, expanded gym foor, removal of the The baseball/soccer field also got a new allowing use of a second Zamboni on game facility’s stage, seating renovations, synthetic surface, plus a new backstop, seating nights and providing much-needed storage. and new scoreboards to help the area, scoreboard and bullpens. basketball, wrestling and volleyball programs A third turf feld is tentatively scheduled for Locker room facilities completion in spring 2020 as Mercyhurst Four additional locker rooms were constructed • Expanded VIP space and luxury suites University and Mercyhurst Prep partner on a at the back of the ice center. Two will provide in the ice center, as well as an enlarged brand-new facility on the hill next to the Sisters new homes for women’s soccer and softball, press box and new chairback seats to of Mercy Motherhouse. while the other two will improve the experience replace the bleachers The field, which will be lighted, will bring the for local youth leagues and visiting teams that use the ice center. • Improvements to the Fitness and softball program to campus for the frst time in Recreation Center school history. It will also provide fexibility for soccer, lacrosse and feld hockey to hold games • Improvements for the men’s and and practices, and allow for additional club women’s rowing programs, including sport and intramural programming. upgrades to the tanks for winter training and a new locker room

To support the Laker for Life Campaign, please visit mercyhurst.edu/LakerforLife for more information.

19 Men’s basketball wins first regional championship, advances to NCAA Elite Eight

It was a season to remember for the Mercyhurst Mercyhurst stormed through the PSAC leadership from Derrick Ellis Jr. Smith was men’s basketball team. Head Coach Gary Conference Tournament, defeating Seton Hill at named All-Tournament MVP for his eforts. Manchel’s squad set a school record for wins home in the frst round, knocking of Slippery with 26, while capturing its frst regional Rock on the road in the quarterfnals and East Mercyhurst fell 55-51 to undefeated Northwest championship and advancing to the NCAA Elite Stroudsburg in the semifnals, before falling to Missouri State in the Elite Eight, but the Eight in Evansville, Indiana, for the frst time. IUP in the Conference Championship. Lakers came as close as anyone to beating the eventual national champion. With leadership from Pat Smith and Brown But the Lakers earned the No. 4 seed in the University transfer Jason Massey, the Lakers NCAA Atlantic Regional and defeated Fairmont The City of Erie rallied behind Mercyhurst, as started the season 7-1 and went 14-2 at home. State 63-60 in overtime in the frst round on a Mayor Joe Schember congratulated the team in There were many memorable victories along game-winning 3-pointer from Smith. The next person on April 4 at City Hall, while the Lakers the way, including becoming the only team to night, the Lakers downed No. 2 IUP on its home threw out the frst pitch at an Erie SeaWolves defeat IUP on its home court behind a game- court once again, 75-65, before capturing the baseball game later in the month. winning 3-pointer from Trystan Pratapas on Regional Championship with an 82-70 victory Feb. 2. over No. 5 West Liberty, behind stellar foor Owen McCormick makes significant donation to Laker for Life Campaign and basketball programs

Erie businessman and philanthropist Owen J. The owner of the Erie BayHawks, McCormick’s McCormick has made a signifcant fnancial gift passion for basketball is well-known in the Erie to Laker for Life – The Campaign for Mercyhurst community. As part of the athletics campaign, Athletics, and specifcally the Mercyhurst the university will rename its court the Owen J. basketball programs. McCormick Basketball Court. “I have known Owen McCormick as a “I’m extremely grateful to Mercyhurst for all businessman, a former Mercyhurst trustee, and that it has done for generations of students and personal friend for many years,” said President for the many ways in which it has contributed Michael T. Victor. “We are most grateful for his to the Erie community,” McCormick said. “I’m continued generosity toward Mercyhurst, the particularly supportive of the great job that most recent of which will go a long way toward President (Michael) Victor is doing. I have a enhancing the overall athletic experience at the deep respect for him as a businessman and as a university.” personal friend.”

Pat Smith has memorable year on and of the court

Pat Smith became a Mercyhurst sensation for more reasons than just basketball this year. The 28-year-old Navy veteran was the NCAA Atlantic Regional MVP, leading Mercyhurst to its frst Elite Eight appearance. But that’s just where Smith’s story begins. Smith sang the lead in Mercyhurst’s spring opera production of Don Pasquale, and he was honored with the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award at commencement. Finally, Smith, a Maryland native, sang the National Anthem at the Baltimore Orioles-New York Yankees game at Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 22 thanks to a little help from Kristen Hudak ’05, director of public relations for the Orioles. 20 Brooklyn Gary Manchel Kohlheim named signs long-term head women’s contract extension basketball coach Following the memorable season, head men’s basketball coach Gary Manchel signed a long-term contract extension. Director of Athletics Brad Davis named Brooklyn Kohlheim as Mercyhurst’s new head The 16-year head coach of the Lakers, Manchel women’s basketball coach in April. guided the program to its frst Regional Championship and its third NCAA Tournament “The moment you walk on campus,” said appearance, all in the last fve years. Kohlheim, “the word that comes into my mind is ‘enchanting.’ It is a very special place and the “This is special to me,” said Manchel. “I want to culture that everybody has bought into and thank President Victor for all his support entrusting built around here is felt by every visitor.” me with the men’s basketball program. I want to thank Director of Athletics Brad Davis as well. We’ve Kohlheim was the head coach at Lake Erie known each other for just a year, and I can honestly College in 2018-19. She has been an assistant say that I haven’t enjoyed working for somebody as coach at Michigan Tech, Nova Southeastern much as him. and Indianapolis and has been a part of fve NCAA Tournament teams, three Conference “When I think of Mercyhurst, I don’t think of a place Champions, two Elite Eight appearances, and that I have to go to work. I think I am going to see one Final Four in nine years. my family.” Manchel reached the 400-win plateau in January, while his 2018-19 team ranked second in the country in defense. Mercyhurst has ranked in the Top 10 in defense in six of the last seven years. Baseball advances to College World Series Final Four for frst time

The Mercyhurst baseball program has become year, and the third time in fve seasons. After Mercyhurst’s pitching staf led the way as two the preeminent Division II program in the winning one game in their last two World Series of its seniors, Tyler Garbee and Matt Minnick, Atlantic and Northeast regions. appearances, these Lakers reached uncharted were selected in the MLB Draft. Garbee went to territory, earning two victories over Catawba Cincinnati in the 19th round, while Minnick, the Led by ABCA Atlantic Region Coach of the and UC San Diego and becoming one of four Atlantic Region and PSAC Pitcher of the Year, Year Joe Spano, the Lakers advanced to the teams remaining in the country. was drafted by his hometown team, the New College World Series for the second straight York Yankees, in the 23rd round.

21 Herrmann Award honors Richard Lanzillo ‘83

In September 2018, Attorney Richard Lanzillo was named a United States Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania. “Serving as a judge is the highest calling of the law, at least for me,” he said. The appointment opened an exciting new chapter in his legal career of 30-plus years, but also required a change in his relationship with Mercyhurst. He had to resign from the Mercyhurst Board of Trustees, which he joined The Honorable Richard Lanzillo and his wife, Jo-Ann Israel Lanzillo ’86, during his swearing-in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Sept. 24, 2018. (Photo by Curtis Waidley ’19) in 2003 and had chaired since 2016. He’s already noticed the void left by his work for his alma mater. potential student, and were engaged during his fnal year at Pitt. “I miss it terribly,” he says. “I’m looking for ways to stay connected within After working a year with a prominent Phoenix frm, Rich and Jo-Ann the bounds of my ethical and professional obligations.” decided to return to Erie, which both had grown to love during their college days. Rich enrolled at Mercyhurst in 1979 and his leadership skills were on display early. He quickly got involved with Mercyhurst Student One of Rich’s frst calls was to Attorney William Sennett, then the chair of Government and served two terms as MSG president. Mercyhurst’s Board of Trustees and a partner at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett. He’d admired Sennett when – as president of Mercyhurst “Those roles were great learning opportunities,” he says now. He Student Government – he had a seat on the board. mastered everything from budgeting to working with committees. He worked to increase student involvement in the governance of He accepted the ofered position and remained with the Knox frm Mercyhurst, and of course to help improve campus life. for more than 30 years, working primarily on complex commercial, employment and civil rights litigation. He also served as a mediator and Today’s Spring Fest can probably trace its origins to the Spring Weekend neutral evaluator in the Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. he helped institute. In 2003, Attorney Sennett encouraged Rich to become a Mercyhurst He laughingly recalls some of-the-wall student events, from hospital trustee himself. He says it was “breathtaking” to realize how much the gurney races around Zurn Hall to the time he hired a plane and dumped school had grown in the 20 years since his graduation. “I was really 1,000 numbered ping pong balls over the baseball feld for students to pleased to see how Mercyhurst had reacted to changing times and fnd winning numbers for big-ticket prizes. developed programs that would ft students’ needs,” he says. He relished On the more serious side, he recalls helping develop a campus lecture the opportunity to continue that work, and was active in many board series. His favorite speaker was Doris Kearns, who spoke on presidential committees during his tenure. politics in 1980. He eventually became the vice chair and chair of the board and co- Thirty-six years later, the Jeferson Educational Society brought Kearns chaired the search committee that recommended President Michael (now Doris Kearns Goodwin and a world-renowned presidential historian) Victor’s appointment. back to Erie and Rich introduced her a second time. Jo-Ann ultimately decided against law school. “It’s a shame – she would Rich was the obvious choice for the Carpe Diem Award when he have been a better lawyer than I,” Rich adds with his usual modesty. graduated in 1983. Instead, after working in career services at Mercyhurst, she pursued her teaching certifcation. She’s been teaching for more than 20 years at Though he had laughed at frst when his history professors suggested Asbury Elementary School near Erie. They have two daughters, Amanda he consider law school, he took their advice. After a year of to put some and Eliza, both now pursuing Ph.D.s. money aside, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Rich has been active with the Erie County Bar Association (serving as “It was very intimidating at frst,” he admits. But he soon realized he was president in 2015) and with Attorneys & Kids Together, which matches well-equipped to succeed. “I was pleased to note how well the analytical Erie lawyers with disadvantaged kids. He and Jo-Ann worked together thinking skills emphasized at Mercyhurst in general, and in the history to mentor two young sisters for more than six years. They still remain in program in particular, translated to legal reasoning and critical thinking, touch. which are essential to the study of law.” Mercyhurst’s emphasis on writing also served him well, he says. Now happily settled into a comfortable ofce on the second foor of Erie’s Federal Courthouse, Rich expects to handle largely civil cases that fall He especially enjoyed constitutional law and contract law. Chosen to under federal jurisdiction, from civil rights and constitutional claims to write for Pitt’s Law Review, he went on to become one of its editors. He contracts and commercial cases, as well as preliminary criminal matters. graduated summa cum laude. United States Magistrate Judges are appointed by the federal District Justices following a merit selection process. “I plan on doing this job until Rich had met Jo-Ann Israel ’86 at Mercyhurst, but they lost track of each they kick me out,” he laughs. other after he graduated. They met again when she visited Pitt Law as a 22 Distinguished Alumni recognized during Reunion Weekend

Mercyhurst University presented its highest Stephen Callaghan ‘79 had a 20-year career Nalika Nanayakkara ’94 earned her MBA in alumni award – the Sister Carolyn Herrmann as a naval aviator, retiring as a Commander, fnance and management from Columbia Award – to the Honorable Richard A. Lanzillo and earned a master’s degree in national University. After positions with Bank of Tokyo- during its 10th annual Reunion Weekend in security and strategic studies from the Naval Mitsubishi and Capgemini, she joined EY June. (See story at left). Five other Distinguished War College. He later joined Lockheed-Martin (formerly known as Ernst & Young) in 2011. Alumni were also recognized for their Corporation and directed its F-35 and Naval A principal, she leads the wealth and asset outstanding achievements in their careers or Aviation Programs. Following a stint with management practice out of the New York for their service to the community. Sikorsky Aircraft, in April he returned to ofce. She has written articles for a variety of Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics, where he’s now respected publications in the fnance industry, Gary Calabrese ’79 went on to earn another in charge of business development for the F-35 and is frequently quoted as an expert by bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Program. fnancial media. Cleveland State University and a doctorate from the University of Montana. He’s now the Senior Suki Fuller ’05 has been a competitive Maria Figurski Wells ’06 has dealt with a series Director for Sports Health and Orthopaedic intelligence advisor in the automotive, of critical health challenges over the past Rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic, where pharmaceutical, technology, and defense several years, but went on to create Mama Mia’s he supervises more than 900 employees and industries, and founded her own business, BOWtique, a unique children’s store that she facilities around the world. He has worked with Miribure. Since 2015, she has become known uses as a platform to help children sufering all of Cleveland’s major league teams, including for her work mentoring entrepreneurs, from illness. Despite her own health challenges, 22 years as team physical therapist with the including many women, in the fast-growing she has raised more than $30,000 in the last Cleveland Cavaliers. tech industry. She has recently entered the eight months alone to help families dealing venture capital feld as co-founder and CEO of with blindness, paralysis, brain cancer, severe Salaam Ventures, and continues to be a noted heart issues, and more. public speaker and trainer.

Gary Calabrese ’79 receives his Distinguished Alumni Award from President Michael T. Victor and Dr. Melanie Titzel, president of the Mercyhurst University Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Maria Figurski Wells ’06 is fanked by her former education professors, Provost Leanne M. Roberts and Dr. Kathy Bukowski, who nominated her for a Distinguished Alumni Award.

Unable to attend the awards ceremony: Stephen Callaghan ’79, Nalika Nanayakkara ’94, and Suki Fuller ’06. 23 The national champion 2011 men’ s lacrosse team

Emily Warren Zimmer ’10 Breanna Haggerty Bertolini ‘09 Ian Wild ‘12 Hall of Fame inducts 3 athletes, 2011 men’s lacrosse team

During Reunion Weekend festivities in June, Breanna Haggerty Bertolini played lacrosse She now works with students with disabilities the Mercyhurst Athletic Hall of Fame inducted from 2006 to 2009. She holds the school record at Bufalo’s McKinley High School and coaches the entire 2011 national championship men’s for career goals with 241 and career points for the Amherst High School JV team and the lacrosse team, as well as lacrosse player with 341. Her 75-goal season in 2008 is the Bufalo Hurricanes club team. Breanna Haggerty Bertolini ’09; feld hockey program’s single-season record. She was a First- player Emily Warren Zimmer ’10; and football Team All-American in both her junior and senior Ian Wild helped the Laker football team earn its and lacrosse player Ian Wild ’12. years. She now works as a freelance graphic frst PSAC championship and frst appearance designer and publishes a popular blog called (and frst victory) in the NCAA tournament The 2011 men’s lacrosse team earned an at- “brepurposed,” about her love for repurposing in fall 2010. In spring 2011 he was a key large bid to the sport’s national tournament, things and giving new life to the old. factor as men’s lacrosse won its frst national where the Lakers beat C.W. Post, the two- championship. He was the tourney MVP and time defending national champion, by a Emily Warren Zimmer was a perennial MVP also earned the NCAA’s Elite 88 academic 14-4 margin, and then beat Adelphi to claim in feld hockey from 2006 to 2009. She holds award. He has played in both the NFL preseason Mercyhurst’s frst national title in a feld sport. program records for career goals (40) and and the Canadian Football League, this season Chris Ryan has coached men’s lacrosse since points (97), and is tied for the assists record (17). with the Toronto Argonauts. He’s a Certifed 2000. She earned First-Team All-America honors in Financial Planner and a fnancial advisor in the 2009, as well as a pair of Second-Team awards. Pittsburgh ofce of HBKS Wealth Advisors.

24 Class Notes

Pierre Priestley, Esq. ’81 Chicago. Both presentations focused on combining The ’60s married Gail R. Woods at St. social studies and reading skills and strategies Catherine-St. Lucy Church to create lessons that support literacy across the Kathleen Lynch Murphy, Ph.D. ’63 and her in Oak Park, Illinois. Pierre curriculum. husband, Robert M. Murphy, Ph.D., are authors of a is the associate general book published in the 2018 Routledge Focus series: counsel for Investment Property Exchange Services, Michael Eldred ’97 completed his second Ironman Manager vs. Leader: Untying the Gordian Knot. The Inc. in Chicago. Gail is a senior analyst with the at Ironman Lake Placid on July 23, 2018, with a time book diferentiates the terms manager and leader Central States Health and Welfare Fund in Rosemont, of 16:44. and helps align one’s expectations from these Illinois. They honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii, in individuals. January 2019. Pierre is pictured with Mercyhurst Eric Wicks ’98 ’03M was inducted classmates Mary Cay Marchione Ricci ’82, Laurie into the Berkshire High School Mahnken-John ’82 and Gary Dagan ’82. Athletic Hall of Fame in Burton, Ohio, The ’70s as a three-sport athlete (football, Dawn Day-Quinn ’82, a Mercyhurst basketball, track). His high school Dr. Alicia King Redfern ’70 was elected and instructor in Interior Design 1989- career was highlighted by 1st Team installed as the 82nd president of Pennsylvania 92, has published her frst novel. All-Ohio Selection and playing in State Chapter of P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic, Silent Ties is a coming-of-age novel the Ohio North-South All-Star Football educational organization. She is the frst African that follows two girls and their Game. Eric was a four-year starter at Mercyhurst as American president of the PA State Chapter. P.E.O., families in the harrowing Jim Crow a placekicker and punter earning All-America honors one of the oldest women’s organizations in North South. You can fnd Silent Ties at amazon.com, and and selection to the Snow Bowl Division II All-Star America, celebrates the advancement of women can connect with Dawn and join the discussion at Football game. by providing educational opportunities to women dawndayquinn.com. through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College. Patricia Balinski ’84 was a 2018 The ’00s winner at the Florida Writers Debbie Flounders Bigelow ’77 recently became Association 17th Annual Writers Brooke Sanflippo ’00 and Matthew the co-CEO (owner) of Project Management Conference with her entry on Sanflippo ’13 had a son, Luciano, on Solutions, Inc. (PM Solutions). “Where does your muse live?” In Oct. 21, 2018. 2016 she published The Manor’s Eyes. A widow, Patricia is enjoying David Leisering ’01 has been named The ’80s her six great-grandchildren and has traveled to head sports information director at Bloomsburg Greece, Rome, Assisi, Denmark, Poland and the U.S. University after serving in the role on an interim Kim Flick Borczyk ’80 and Ron basis. Borczyk ’80 celebrated their 35th Robert Alan Santos Jr. ’84 wrote and illustrated wedding anniversary on Oct. 22, The PSALM® Cards and Messages from the Psalms, Daniel Schuch ’01 was named Managing Counsel 2018. They began dating in 1979 published by Schifer Books. of North American Labor, Employment and Benefts as students at Mercyhurst. Law for Shell. He’ll be responsible for Shell’s Lynn M. Piotrowicz ’86 of employment law function for North America. Rev. Walter R. Green ’80 received the Dr. Jesse Henniker, New Hampshire, B. Barber Jr. Community Health Care Award from is the director of the 2018 Shannon Mazzant West ’01 was selected as a Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., where he has New Hampshire Library Trustees Golden Apple Award Winner. She is a 5th grade worked for 13 years. The award was in recognition Association Library of the Year. English and Language Arts teacher at Corry of Rev. Green’s "commitment, thoughtfulness Intermediate School. and compassion" in working with people who Jefrey Smith ’88 was appointed director of are homeless and his work in addressing "social, food services by the Jamestown Public Schools. Nicole Bonvouloir Zeiders ’01 was nominated environmental, and policy factors" that create for the 2018 Health Care Worker of the Year award, poverty and homelessness. In accepting the award, presented each year to an Ohio caregiver who gives he noted that his experience at Mercyhurst was The ’90s back to the community, refects the mission and important in developing his awareness of social values of his or her organization, and routinely goes justice issues. Staci Billings Grasky ’91 earned her doctorate beyond the call of duty. in educational leadership from the University of Timothy Kosarsky ’80 has completed the 200-hour New England in May 2018. Staci works as a grants Jay Puskar ’02, Communication Department teacher training and is working on the 300-hour manager for the Maine Community College System. adjunct instructor at Mercyhurst, has been named teacher training program from the Yoga Alliance. sports director for WJET/WFXP-TV in Erie. Tim teaches yoga class for special-needs populations Kristine DeMarinis Petersen ’95 presented at the including at-risk young adults, substance abusers, state conference of the Virginia Council for the Social Peter Cuneo ’03 and wife Jennifer had their second and PTSD victims through his "Soft Place to Land Studies in Roanoke and at the national conference son, Connor, on Nov. 12, 2018. Yoga" practice. of the National Council for the Social Studies in

25 Robert Daugherty ’03, the chief probation ofcer John Novogurski ’06 and for Venango County, Pennsylvania, was honored with Kristin Cypher ’07 had a son, The ’10s the top statewide award at the James E. Anderson Bennett Alexander, in January Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice. 2017 and a daughter, Madelyn Kate Balconi ’10 accepted a new job with Ernst & Grace, in March 2018. Young (EY) as an alumni relations manager serving Capt. Jefrey P. Halladay EY alumni of the Southeast region. Shes’ based in ’03 was promoted from Jesse Shelmire ’06 works as a paleontologist with Atlanta, Georgia. Major to Lieutenant the San Diego Natural History Museum, focusing on Colonel on July 1, 2019. Pleistocene megafauna with human occupation in Ryan Browning ’10 and wife Ashley In May 2020, he will Southern California and Baja, Mexico. had their frst child, daughter Avery take command of the 215th Brigade Brooke Browning, on June 22, 2018. Support Battalion 3d Armor Brigade Combat Team, Brian Walker ’06 and Valerie The family lives in Alexandria, Virginia, 1st Cavalry Division. He lives in Texas with his wife, Nezich Walker ’05 had a daughter, and Ryan is pursuing his MBA from the Nicole, and kids Lillian (10), Owen (7), and Violet (5). Charlotte Helena, on March 8, 2019. University of Florida while serving as She joins big brother Declan. an active duty naval ofcer. Rich Johns ’03 has been promoted to associate commissioner of fnancial management with the Chris Aloshen ’07 and Meghan Sauer Aloshen ’07 Colleen Gafney ’10 married Jef Volkmar on Aug. New York City Department of Housing Preservation had a son, Simon Henry, on Jan. 23, 2018, in Ashburn, 18, 2018, in Rochester, New York. The bridal party and Development, the largest municipal housing Virginia. He joins older brother Malcolm Joseph. included bridesmaids Alex Halin Yorio ’10, Mary development agency in the nation. Vuono Lamancusa ’10 and Sarah Blackwell Lisa Bannister ’08 was named Teacher of the Year Herhal ’10. Colleen and Jef live in Arlington, Katie Krupa Agen ’04 was selected as a New York for 2017-2018 at Lake Erie Correctional Institution. Virginia. State Master Teacher in October 2018. Bannister was also named Employee of the Month for April 2017. She teaches Administration Ofce Jill Kreiensieck ’10 married John-Michael Alexy on Michelle Costanzo Fitzpatrick Technology at the prison and is the frst vocational Oct. 7, 2018, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Bridesmaids ’04 and husband Sean had instructor to be honored as Teacher of the Year. included Stevie Jennings ’10, Danielle James their second child, son Macklin ’10 and Marisa Evans ’11. Jill works in Boston as a Joseph, on May 19, 2018. Nicole Rapacki Konieczki ’08 and husband David paralegal. had their second child, Mila Stephanie, on March 28, Michael Marshall ’04 2019, in Erie. Mila joins big sister Eva. Bryan J. Melerski ’10 has been an was named vice president for elementary general music teacher enrollment, marketing and Eileen McGoun Law ’08 and in the Seattle area since moving communication at Bellarmine husband Adam had a son, Edward to Washington State in 2015. In University. Patrick, on June 6, 2018, in Myrtle January 2019, he received his Master Beach, South Carolina. Edward joins of Science degree in Curriculum Caitlin Carroll McNulty ’04 and big sister Natalie. & Instruction from Western Governors University. husband Brian had their second child, Molly Margaret, on Aug. 28, 2018, Courtney Olevnik ’08 ’13M, who formerly served Cara Adamus Natalo ’10 and husband Andrew in Bufalo, New York. Molly joins big as director of donor relations, was promoted to had their frst child, daughter Olivia Marie, on May brother Brennan. director of annual giving at Mercyhurst. In her 18, 2018. new role, Courtney’s main responsibilities include Bethany Shafer ’04 was named one of 12 oversight of the annual fund’s fscal and participation Jennifer Pisula ’10 and Pawel Bialk league-wide recipients of the Sun Belt Conference’s goals, stewardship of the Leadership Giving Society ’10 were married on April 27, 2019, in inaugural Faculty Member of the Year Award. The and the Loyal Laker program, and management of Wilmington, Delaware. Emily Pisula award recognizes a faculty member from each Sun the matching gifts program. ’05 and John Bennett ’10 were part Belt institution who displays valuable classroom of the wedding party. Jennifer works skills such as developing relationships, being a good Kristin Peterson ’08, based in Saskatchewan, in global sourcing for Anthropologie communicator and showing a passion for teaching, Canada, has launched her second children’s book at the Urban Outftters Headquarters engaging and inspiring students. that tells the story of the magic of creativity: Mayva in Philadelphia, while also teaching part time in the O’Meere, Creationeer. Fashion Merchandising department at Immaculata Eric Hollenbeck ’05 had two flms that he worked University. Pawel works as a research scientist at on accepted to the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Jan Czajkowski ’09 married Christiana Care Health Systems in the Gene Editing Katherine Juarez ’08 on Institute in Newark, Delaware. Jaime Myers ’05 had a daughter, Aubrey Josephine Aug. 4, 2018, in Lublin, Poland. Outly, on Jan. 19, 2018. Marek Bernach ’09 served as Caileen Farrell ’11 married the best man. Patrick Fox ’11 on Sept. 1, Ted Nagorsen ’05 has been named frst assistant 2018, in, Rochester, New York. coach and recruiting coordinator for Clemson Jenna Golden ’09 and husband The bridal party included University’s women’s rowing team. Eric Bresnehan had a son, Jacob bridesmaids Shannon Leon Bresnehan, on Jan. 10, 2019. Farrell Clark ’09, Liz Mary Ellen Leisering ’06 married Reis Ermis on July Contrella Baldelli ’11, 28, 2018, in Houston. Mary Ellen started a new job Sarah Hricko ’11 and Katie Chandler Nash ’12 as assistant to the music and ministry department at and groomsmen Tony Fox ’08 and Brett Sumbrum West U Baptist Church in Houston and her husband ’10. They live in Cleveland, Ohio, where Caileen is a is a dispatcher for the local police department. marketing communications manager for The Ritz- Carlton and Patrick is a logistics coordinator.

26 Laura McCarty Waryk ’11 was presented with the Ryan Bartizal ’13 married Jenna Kormos on Aug. Mary Mancuso ’14 married "25 Under 35" Award from Saint Joseph Academy. 11, 2018, in Lakewood, Ohio. Groomsmen included Brendan Michel ’15 on Aug. 11, The award acknowledges alumnae who have gone Kevin Poropat ’13 and Joe Coyne ’13. Ryan works 2018, in Christ the King Chapel at above and beyond in personal and professional as a senior analyst for a real estate company in Mercyhurst. Mary is a lawyer at endeavors since their graduation from the school. downtown Cleveland and is pursuing his MBA at Jones Day in Cleveland, Ohio, and She now works as the creative manager at Saint Cleveland State University. Brendan is a market intelligence Joseph Academy. analyst at Palmer Holland in North Shaun Carney ’13 was Olmsted, Ohio. Members of the wedding party Hannah Blashock Bozard ’12 was recently promoted to pilot included Mercyhurst cross country teammates promoted to senior catering sales brewer at BrewDog USA in maid of honor Rebecca Wheeling ’14 and executive at the Westin Hilton Head Canal Winchester, Ohio. He bridesmaids Lauren Shingledecker ’14 and Island Resort & Spa. is responsible for brewing all Virginia Kamide ’16. experimental and limited-release Haley Bradstreet ’12 married beers sold in North America. Zack Pappas ’14 married Siobhan Adam Olszewski ’10 on Sept. Hacker on Aug. 11, 2018, in Bufalo, 15, 2018, in Stratton, Vermont. Jeremy Dickey ’13 has been named New York. Groomsmen included Bridesmaids included Anne communications manager for the Sisters of Mercy Sam Rouse ’15 and Ivan Palikuca Marie McKinney ’12 and Isabel of the Americas and will oversee the Sisters’ social ’13 and bridesmaids included Milkovich ’12. Brian Johns ’10 justice and new membership communications. Morgan Dulski ’14 and Erin Cox ’15. was the ofciant and Adam Kessler ’10 was the best Zack works at M&T Bank in Bufalo in man. Haley and Adam live and work in Burlington, Nicholas Eagan ’13 married Maura Hunter ’13 quality assurance. Siobhan is a pharmacist at Rite-Aid Vermont. on Sept. 15, 2018, in Pittsburgh. Bridesmaids and Pharmacy in Bufalo. groomsmen included Lauren Fraser ’13, Paige Steve Bukowski ’12 accepted a new position as Bosnyak ’13, Amber Stilwell ’13, Paul Zucchigna Chelsey Seelinger Poropat ’14 a historical interpreter at the Telfair Museums in ’13 and Patrick Eagan ’14. Nick and Maura live in and Kevin Poropat ’13 had a son, Savannah, Georgia. In addition to sharing the history Columbus, Ohio. Nick is working on his MBA at The George Matthew, on Nov. 29, 2018. of two historic Savannah homes, he will conduct Ohio State University and Maura is working as an art historical research for the organization. therapist. Kellie Wendell ’14 was named Leader of the Year at Le Meridien Denver Downtown Lindsay Cox Frank ’12 and Thomas Kaitlyn Marie McCullough + AC Hotel Denver. Frank ’13 had a daughter, Sofe, on ’13 married James Dec. 28, 2018. Francis Rogan ’15 on Ashley Margaret Ball ’15 July 28, 2018, in Plymouth, married Andrew Colin Sarah Gianadda ’12 married Massachusetts. They met Shepherd ’15 on April 6, 2019, in childhood friend Aaron Palinkas in class at Mercyhurst in Clifton, Virginia. They met at Egan in their hometown of Bufalo, New 2011. Jena Skelton ’15 was a bridesmaid. Dining Hall in 2011. York. Ariana Bielat Elkington ’12 was a bridesmaid. Sarah and Chelsea Morris ’13 has been promoted to museum Gaelin Carrig ’15 was hired by MacDonald, Illig, Aaron are on to their next big registrar at the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe. Jones & Britton LLP as an associate in the Litigation adventure in Barbados where Department. She is a member of the law frm’s Aaron will begin medical school. Megan Richards ’13 married Clint Schaefer Insurance/Personal Injury Practice Group and ’14 on May 19, 2018, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Commercial/General Litigation Practice Group. Elizabeth Julius, DC ’12 was elected president of Bridesmaids were Rachel Sluberski ’12, Ashley the Northwest Ohio Chiropractic Association (NOCA). Wiskup Shields ’12, Katherine Erbacher Carter Sara Chuzie ’15 ’17M married Elizabeth owns Chiropractic Associates of Oregon in ’12, Morgan Beaty ’14 and Samantha Seigferth Vince Lombardi ’14 on Nov. Oregon, Ohio. ’14. Groomsmen were Tyler Berger ’14 and Jordan 17, 2018, in Bufalo, New York. Shields ’13. Clint and Megan live in Bufalo, New Bridesmaids included Amanda Shannon Kissel ’12 and John-Alex MacDougall York. Marley Klobuchar ’15, Hillary ’12 celebrated their frst wedding anniversary on Sullivan ’15, Jonna Schaper July 27, 2018, in Pittsburgh with their close family John E. Wroblewski ’13 received the Distinguished Zelie ’15 and Virginia Kamide and friends. The bridal party included Mercyhurst Faculty Award from Alliance College Alumni ’16. Groomsmen included John alumni Meghan Hess ’12, Kyle Kallay ’12, Pete Association for his contributions to the betterment Ciccone ’14 and rising senior Plaskey ’13 and Megan Kissel ’14. Shannon of the college and his positive impact on students Peter Chuzie. Sara is a marketing and and J.A. were originally married on July 27, 2017, during his tenure. communications manager for a national nonproft in a small courthouse ceremony. The two live in and Vince recently transitioned out of the United Pittsburgh where Shannon works as an experience Caitlin Ewing ’14 was promoted to senior art States Navy. They live in San Antonio, Texas. consultant for UPMC, and J.A. is an English teacher director at Belo + Company. and lacrosse coach at Shady Side Academy Katlyn Heitzhaus ’15 has been promoted to senior Andrew Klobuchar ’14 married Amanda Marley accountant at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner Michael Troutman ’12 married ’15 on July 7, 2018, in Longmont, Colorado. Andrew LLP. She joined the frm as a staf accountant in Casey Munn on June 16, 2018, is a clinical therapist for Shiloh House. Amanda October 2016. in Dayton, Ohio. works as a program specialist for National Veterinary Associates while pursuing her master’s degree in Jessica Hilburn ’15 published her frst book on Aug. healthcare administration. 5, 2019. Hidden History of Northwestern Pennsylvania details lesser-known historical stories from Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango counties and is

27 published by The History Press. It can be ordered on Wanda Toth Snyder ’60 Christi Bonadio Gignac ’91 (John amazon.com. Michelle Corrigan Hittie ’62 Bonadio). John was also the father-in-law Elizabeth Redanz ’15 Carol Warde Urevick ’63 of Richard Gignac ’91 and Thomas Dore married Daniel Teal Delores Waida Bargielski ’64 ’81 and grandfather of Elishia Gnage ’06. ’15 on Aug. 4, 2018, in Sister Catherine Edward Bufalo, New York. The Delaney, RSM ’66 bridal party included Genevieve Mastrian Wiesen ’66 Stepfather of: bridesmaids Mary Carol Rzodkiewicz ’70 Matthew Sanflippo ’13 (Florindo Schaaf ’15 and Erica Fabrizio) Arnold ’15 and groomsman Patricia Schramm ’72 Daniel Driscoll ’15. Linda Gambill Love ’74 Richard Gensheimer Jr. ’76 Jillian Rybczynski ’15 married Colton Agro in Mother of: Bufalo, New York, on Sept. 1, 2018. Allyson Gass Kevin Paul Moore ’76 Steven Borowski ’85, Teresa Borowski ’15 and Jessica Gass ’15 were maids of honor and Patricia Lord Ryan ’77 Taylor ’82 and Nancy Borowski Recker bridesmaids included Kayla Flynn ’16 and Marissa Diane Masterson ’79 ’76 (Marion Borowski) Kelley ’15. Lisa Parlavecchio Salada ’79 Dr. Christine Wiesen Walsh ’89 Catherine Vilardo Strobl ’81 Mallorie Kaput ’16 and Sara (Genevieve Wiesen ’66) Weindorf Kaput ’16 had Russell Wilhelm ’81 a son, Solomon, on June 7, Richard Leach ’83 Sarah Gravante ’16 (Jimiline Gravante) 2018. Karen S. Black ’84 Patricia Koehle Hennen ’87 Taylor Santiago ’16 accepted Brother of: Lillian Dressler ’89 a position as company manager at David Beahm Catherine Hornick ’87 (Dr. Joseph Robert Madia ’93 Experiences. Hornick) Mary Wolski ’93 Cole Nypaver ’17 authored his frst peer-reviewed Leon McCormack III ’95 publication. His work on the formation of small Thomas Kitchen ’97 shield volcanos on Venus was published online as Friends of the university: part of the Geological Society of America’s Field Peter Russo Jr. ’97 J. Boyd Bert, Jr., friend of the University Frank Alberts ’98 Volcanology: A Tribute to the Distinguished Career of Florindo Fabrizio, former state legislator Don Swanson. It was co-authored with Mercyhurst Kathleen Clark Anderson ’00 faculty member Nicholas Lang and Bradley Thomson. Amber Natali ’02 Shirley George, long-time Mercyhurst employee Ryan Danaher ’18 has been Adam Lewis ’04 hired as an assistant account Dennis Blair ’08 Joseph L. Hepfnger, Athletic Hall of Fame manager with Pinckney Hugo John Thearle ’08 member and loyal Laker fan Group in Syracuse, New York. Jennifer Gimber ’12 Thomas Hertel, former professor at Lizzie Manno ’18 currently works in Atlanta as an Mercyhurst North East assistant music editor for Paste Magazine. Husband of: Myron Jones, Trustee Emeritus Mary Ann Benetin Golub ’52 (Joseph Golub) James Lanahan, former Mercyhurst Alumni Deaths administrator Lynda Rosinski Dei Rossi ’60 (James Dei Mary Kloecker Featherstone ’43 Rossi) Helen Meehan, friend of the University Janette Fournier Regner ’47 Patricia Cavanaugh Kirk ’60 (Joseph Mary Constance “Connie” Kennedy Mary Ann Donaher Hanna ’49 Kirk). Joseph was also the father of Mark Monahan, friend of the University Mary Louise Moore Zeitler ’49 (Kirk) Barber ’84. Lawrence New, friend of the University Jean Rosenstiel Buoy ’52 Teri Zupsic Reese ’69 (Dennis Reese) Patricia Miller Schulze ’53 Marie Nicolette, friend of the University Helen Kennedy Holliday ’56 Kathleen Kelley Smith ’69 (Kim Smith) Karen Williams, professor of world Mary Kathleen Lawrence Luke ’56 languages and cultures Mary Nowalk Davis ’57 Father of: Julia Kelly ’57 Ann Capoccia Zieno ’74 (Anthony Kathleen Franco Muller ’58 Capoccia) Mary Frances Lymph Auyer ’59 Margaret Cummings ’59 Linda First Frisina ’81 (Roy First). Roy was also the father-in-law of Stephen Frisina Sally Fleckenstein Mastrog ’59 Notes submitted after July 1, 2019, Elaine Schwab ’59 ’80. will be featured in our next issue. 28 CONTINUE YOUR MERCYHURST EDUCATION FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ONLINE GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Mercyhurst University’s online master’s and graduate certifcate programs are excellent options to develop the skills needed to advance your career or enter a new professional feld. Mercyhurst’s Ofce of Distance Learning provides online students with opportunities for engagement with classmates, direct connections with experienced faculty, and fexible, convenient coursework designed for working professionals.

APPLIED INTELLIGENCE | MASTER OF SCIENCE OR GRAD CERTIFICATE Lead analytical teams in business, law enforcement and national security with advanced-level training to collect and interpret intelligence.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION | MASTER OF SCIENCE OR GRAD CERTIFICATE Broaden your perspectives and build management expertise in the criminal justice, sociology or human service felds.

CYBER RISK MANAGEMENT | MASTER OF SCIENCE Ideal for insurance professionals, this program combines elements of risk management with cutting- edge science in big data and cyber security.

CYBER SECURITY | MASTER OF SCIENCE OR GRAD CERTIFICATE Learn to analyze cyber threats to computer systems, networks and networked devices, and protect those systems from cyber attacks.

NEW - INTEGRATIVE NURSING LEADERSHIP | MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING For BSN-level nurses ready to take on advanced leadership roles, this program ofers a unique focus on integrative health, resiliency and patient safety.

SECONDARY EDUCATION | MASTER OF SCIENCE English, math, science and social science-related majors can earn a master’s and PA Teaching Certifcation in as little as one year.

NEW - TEACHING EXCELLENCE | MASTER OF SCIENCE For certifed teachers, this customizable one -year program accepts credits from a variety of sources, including teaching experience, PLS courses, and previous graduate coursework.

Visit mercyhurst.edu/grad for more information or contact the Ofce of Graduate & Continuing Education at [email protected] or 814-824-3351. 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546

HOMECOMING WEEKEND September 27-29 Register today at: mercyhurst.edu/alumni/homecoming

2019