Summer 2012 C.S.C. Brothers Men with Hope to Bring President’s Message Dear Alumni, A few short weeks ago, approximately 480 students joined your ranks as King’s College alumni. At the end of our graduation ceremonies I reminded our graduates that they will always have a home here at King’s and to return often to refresh their spirits and find renewed inspiration. No doubt that is a reminder and invitation once given to you at your graduation. I wish to remind you anew that indeed you have a home here at King’s, return and visit us. In a special way our commencement honored alumni. Alumnus and Chairman of the Board of Directors Tom Smith ’77 was our speaker. Chuck Parente ’62 and Tim Faber received honorary degrees. These men in word and deed modeled for our graduates what it means to selflessly serve God, family and King’s College. They reminded our graduates that in the end their lives will be judged on love alone and they all hoped these new alumni can look back and see a life lived generously, a life in which they selflessly shared themselves and their talents and resources for a better tomorrow. I have always understood the mission of King’s College as an act of love. As a striving to focus and develop our passions and desires toward noble ends. What could be more exciting and rewarding than to help others fall in love with learning, a career choice, a vocation, truth, beauty, goodness and God? King’s College is a community where students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends together pursue truth and charity. May God bless you and your family and may God continue to bless King’s College. Sincerely, Rev. Jack Ryan, C.S.C. Contents Summer 2012 PRESIDENT Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D. SENIOR STAFF 2 News on Campus Director of Campus Ministry F Rev. Richard Hockman, C.S.C. Commencement Vice President for Student Affairs F Two Pillars of King’s Community Retire Janet Mercincavage, C.P.A. F River Regatta Remembrance Vice President for Academic Affairs Nicholas A. Holodick, Ed.D. F WRKC Receives Honors Vice President for Institutional Advancement Frederick Pettit, Esquire ’96 EDITOR 6 King’s Feature Director of Public Relations John McAndrew ’84 F The Year of the Brother CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Assistant Director of Public Relations Joseph Giomboni ’03, M.S. ’07 13 Faculty Profile Public Relations Office Coordinator F Nora Conway Dr. Ron Supkowski ’94 Intern Tara Mlodzienski ’12 SPORTS 14 Monarch Sports Director of Sports Information F Spring Wrap-Up Robert Ziadie F Coach Bill Eydler Wins 400th Assistant Director of Sports Information Craig Butler F Chris Sweeney Feature ALUMNI F Fall Sports Schedule Director of Alumni Relations Laura Haden ’04 Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Rose Gryskevicz ’96 21 Alumni Profile Alumni Secretary F Nancy Harworth Ferris Webby, Jr. ’03 DESIGN Nanette Bozentka, Llewellyn & McKane, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHY 22 Alumni Events & Gatherings Photos by Andy (cover, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 (top), 12, 13, 25, 33), F Trip to Italy King’s Sports Information Office (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) F Theatre Event in California PRINTING Llewellyn & McKane, Inc. F Cantores Christi Regis Reunion Concert Pride is published two times a year by the King’s College F President’s Dinner Public Relations Office. It is distributed to alumni, parents of students, donors, and other friends of the College. Comments should be addressed to Laura Haden, Director of Alumni Relations, [email protected], (570) 208- 27 Alumni Profile 5879; or John McAndrew, Director of Public Relations, [email protected], (570) 208-5958. Write: PRIDE, F Jeff Geoffroy, Jr. ’70 King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 ON THE COVER: 28 Faculty Updates The Holy Cross Brothers currently serving King’s are shown in front of a bronze statue of St. Joseph. The statue, which previously was part of 29 Alumni News & Notes a patio atop Holy Cross Hall, is part of the lobby of Moreau Court, where members of the Congregation reside. 33 Giving Opportunity F Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., Scholarship for Community Service Scan the code with your smart phone or tablet for immediate electronic access to this issue of Pride. (Or go to http://www.kings.edu/PRIDE) NEWS ON CAMPUS King’s Honors Past Leadership as Graduates Look Toward Future ost graduates vividly remember something about their graduation. This year’s Commencement Mspeaker, Board Chair Tom Smith ’79 opened his address to the Class of 2012 with words of advice given to him on his first day at King’s College almost 30 years ago. Talking to then Dean of Students Father Al D’Alonzo, C.S.C., on his first day at King’s and, coincidentally, his 18th birthday, about his decision to change his major before attending his first class, Smith recalled Father D’Alonzo’s words to him, “Tommy, you gotta be happy.” Given his position as vice president of corporate audit for Campbell Soups and his work with company brands Peppridge Farms and Godiva, it was appropriate the Smith offered the graduates a multi- step recipe for happy and successful lives. 1. Surround yourselves with good people. 2. Never stop going to school. Learning does not stop today. 3. Find your passion and hang on to it all your life. 4. Nurture your soul. 5. Remain optimistic. “Tom has, over the years, worked tirelessly on behalf of King’s students and has been directly responsible for helping many of them land career positions that support them in leading meaningful and Four seniors who were the first to receive four-year, full tuition scholarships as part of the College’s McGowan Hispanic Outreach Program were in the graduating class. The purposeful lives,” said Father scholarships, which covered the students’ tuition, room, board and textbooks, were provided John Ryan, C.S.C., president, by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc. In each of the last four academic years, four first-year King’s students of Hispanic descent have been awarded scholarships as in announcing Smith as part of the outreach program. Pictured, from left, are David Castro, Gabrielle Carbone, Commencement speaker. Noemi Tlatenchi and Carmen Flores. Speaker Tom Smith thanks the Class of 2012 for selecting him as Brandon D. McNulty, who graduated summa cum laude with a speaker over supposed runner-up, Buddy Valastro (“The Cake Boss”). degree in English, celebrates with Dr. Laurie Sterling, professor of English. 2 Pride F Summer 2012 Honorary doctorates were granted to two men who chaired King’s board for a combined one-third of the College’s 66-year existence. Charles Parente ‘62 served as board chair from 1988 to 1997. Eberhard Faber succeeded Parente as chair and served until 2010. Parente and Faber both joined the King’s board in the early 1980s and both continue to serve as members. “I believe it’s important for King’s students to see and honor the leaders of our community who dedicate a great deal of time to this College and who provide the leadership necessary for King’s to continue its mission,” said Father Ryan. “Board members have always shared in the excitement of Commencement, but this year it was appropriate that they were recognized by the College and by our graduates and their Sound advice from a graduate that is as relevant now as it was 40 families for their service.” years ago when delivered by Pope Paul VI on the Day of Peace. From left, Tim Faber and Charles Parente ’62, both former chairs of the Board of Directors and honorary doctorate recipients at Commencement; Father John Ryan, C.S.C., president; Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. Bishop, Diocese of Scranton; and Tom Smith ’77, current chair of the Board of Directors and commencement speaker. To hear Tom Smith’s commencement address, go to http//:www.kings.edu/Pride Graduating members of the Athletic Training Education Program celebrate their class accomplishment with a mortarboard message. All 15 graduates of the program passed the national Board of Certification (BOC) certification examination on their first attempt, the largest number of graduates to complete the feat in the program’s 13-year history. Pride F Summer 2012 3 A Legacy of Serving King’s ancy Harworth and Elaine Zavada have witnessed first-hand much of the history of King’s College. NElaine has worked for six King’s presidents beginning with Rev. George Benaglia, C.S.C., the fourth president, through the first year of current president Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C. From keeping tabs on King’s alumni to arranging social gatherings and reunions, Nancy has been a staple of the Alumni Office since 1968. Nancy has contributed countless hours to the alumni effort; she knows if an alumnus got married, had children or called to check-in after time away from campus. Combined, Nancy and Elaine have devoted more than a century of service to the College, each offering their unique talents and warm personalities to the King’s community. As the academic year came to a close, so did to the careers of these two individuals who have contributed immeasurably to the College. We (KC) sat down with Elaine (EZ) and Nancy (NH) to learn more about their roles working for King’s, how the College has changed over the years and each woman’s plan for the next chapter of their life. KC: Were there any other positions that you had at King’s, King’s at 191 North Franklin Street.