Winter 2015–2016 Georgian Court University Magazine
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Volume 13 | Winter 2015–2016 Georgian Court University Magazine President’s Annual Report & Honor Roll of Donors 2014–2015 Th e New Guy on Campus Meet President Marbach From the President Dear Alumni and Friends, Happy New Year! I am excited about the promise of what 2016 has in store for Georgian Court University, and if recent months are an indication of what is ahead, hold on tight! Together, we have much to celebrate and more work to do. Many of you have warmly welcomed me and my family to GCU, and it has been great getting to hear your suggestions for making Georgian Court the Catholic university of New Jersey. Thank you for embracing me at the BlueClaws stadium in August, where Agnes Moore Higgins ’39 and student-athletes joined me to throw a first pitch, and at activities like Move-In Day, Homecoming and Family Day (read more on page 17), my Inaugural Week, and the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City. Your phone calls, e-mails, letters, and cards relay a growing sense of enthusiasm and your rock-solid pride in GCU, especially as accolades rolled in recently from MONEY magazine, The Economist, Washington Monthly, and Colleges of Distinction (read more on pages 5–7). I am counting on your continued support as we look for innovative ways to embrace the GCU mission and build on the legacy entrusted to us by the Sisters of Mercy. In early 2015 when I interviewed for the presidency, I was repeatedly asked, “Why do you want to be president of GCU?” Today, my answer is the same: GCU is a campus of opportunity. It’s why I came here. Our presence as the only Catholic university serving Central and Southern New Jersey presents an opportunity to engage Catholic high schools and parishes through new scholarship offerings. In the business community, we have an opportunity to create courses and degrees that serve industry, adult learners, and nonprofit organizations—whether they come to campus or we go to them. We are creating new opportunities for partners to join GCU in educating students and exploring new academic programs. Going into 2016, we face external challenges related to demographics, the economy, and public perception of the value of a liberal arts-infused college education. These challenges, however, can be met as we build on our strengths and position GCU for growth. As a campus and as a university family, we will be nimble as we move forward in 2016 and beyond. Indeed it is a new year. Together, we will make it a great year. Go Lions! Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. President, Georgian Court University P.S. Connect with me on Twitter at @DrJosephMarbach! THE MERCY UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY GEORGIAN COURT UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE VOLUME 13 WINTER 2015–2016 Georgian University Magazine President’s Annual Report Court 2014–2015 & Honor Roll of Donors Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D University President Gail H. Towns Managing Editor ANSWERING THE CALL: GCU PRESIDENT Executive Director of Marketing 2 and Communications JOSEPH R. MARBACH, PH.D. Dr. Marbach highlights goals for GCU’s future as he Tara M. Strickland reflects on his busy first six months in office as the Editor Assistant Editorial Director university’s first male and first lay president. Richard Berardi Multimedia Producer Web Administrator 5 THE SMART MONEY IS AT GEORGIAN COURT Laura Liesman The secret is out: Georgian Court is an institution Athletics Editor Director of Athletics and Recreation that delivers an exceptional education at an equally exceptional value. Design Buffy Hill Photographers Steve Belkowitz 8 A PILGRIMAGE FOR MERCY Richard Berardi Students, faculty, and staff made their way to William Thomas Cain Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM, Ph.D. Pope Francis’ Mass in Philadelphia and were left Lisa Gravato ’17 with lasting impressions. Edyta Kuciapa Dan Massa Catherine Mernar Phyllis Schiavone David Schofield Jeff Schaffer Gail H. Towns Judy Ward, RSM, ’67 IN EVERY ISSUE Contributors Cynthia Caradonio ’16 12 Faculty Laura Egles ’14 Michelle Giles 15 Students Alexandria Graziosi ’16 Michele Hujber 16 At The Court Megan Kelly ’15 Edyta Kuciapa President’s Annual Report 2014–2015 & Honor Roll of Donors Christopher McKibben Rosemary Quigley McPhillips '48 33 Athletics Gwen Moran Suzanne Pilgram 37 Alumni Meghan Rehbein, CRFE Jennifer Shufran Tara M. Strickland Globe-Trotting Alumna Passes on Love of History and Culture Gail H. Towns Reunion Barbara Yuson News Around Town Class Notes Announcements This icon indicates that you can explore the story further through multimedia content on Georgian Court’s Web site. Georgian Court University Magazine is published annually by the Office of Public Information and University Communications. phone: 732.987.2291 • fax 732.987.2022 e-mail: [email protected] Answering the Call: GCU President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. By Gail H. Towns 2 | WINTER 2015–2016 or Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., the last several months have been good. Challenging, busy, and occasionally exhausting, but overall, theF transition to becoming Georgian Court University’s first male and first lay president has been very, very good. “Actually, it’s been great,” says Dr. Marbach, who joined GCU July 1 after serving as provost at La Salle University. “It feels like a good fit, and based on the response from staff, faculty, students, alumni, and the Board of Trustees, they seem to appreciate my presence and some of the initiatives I’ve proposed.” From promoting new scholarships for Catholic high school When GCU launched its national search for a new president graduates to touting GCU’s unique position as the only in late 2014, Dr. Marbach was drawn to the job, in part, because Catholic university serving Central and Southern New Jersey, of the Mercy charism and the university’s strong commitment to Dr. Marbach is constantly exploring innovative ideas to grow Catholic higher education. awareness and revenue. “This institution has been making a difference in people’s “Education in the 21st century is increasingly about lives for 107 years,” he says. “Transforming lives is integral to our partnerships, and how we expand those in New Jersey, Maryland, Catholic mission, which allows us the academic freedom that is New York, and Pennsylvania will make a difference,” says sometimes forbidden in the public sphere. Dr. Marbach, who is often out in the community, connecting “How business, politics, science, and other trends affect with corporate leaders. “We are moving aggressively. I’m out there spiritual and moral development are issues that we can explore networking—as are others—to develop ideas, expand partnerships, through vocation and calling—in everyday conversation,” he says and establish new programs.” enthusiastically. “We have a unique opportunity to define He wants to create joint programs with medical and law our niche in the marketplace and to tell our story by ensuring schools, strengthen relationships with Catholic churches students answer their calling.” throughout the Trenton, Metuchen, and Camden dioceses, and The point was emphasized as GCU marked his Inaugural attract some of the region’s million-plus adults who have college Week with the theme, “Answering the Call: Transformation experience but lack a degree. He recently connected the university through Catholic Education.” Hundreds of supporters packed with a new online academic assistance program, now being piloted with high-achieving GCU students as tutors, and is reviewing a proposal to grow healthcare-related majors. To the uninitiated, it may seem that the new guy on campus is already overextended. Not so. Instead, Dr. Marbach is energized by the possibilities and clear about the road ahead. “Enrollment is job #1,” he says. “Every other goal is second to that. That’s been well communicated, and it’s not a hard sell. People are all in. Everyone recognizes that recruitment and enrollment are everybody’s charge.” Committed to Calling Dr. Marbach, a product of Northeast Catholic High School in his hometown of Philadelphia, graduated from La Salle University and earned his master’s degree and doctorate in political science at Temple University. He began his career at Seton Hall University, where he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and became a sought-after media expert on government and New Jersey politics. In 2010, he was named chief academic officer at La Salle, where he expanded doctoral, master’s degree, and undergraduate Dr. Marbach and his wife, Paula, (center) with their children Joseph (right), Jillian (left), and Madison (front) degree offerings. GEORGIAN COURT UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | 3 the Wellness Center for the investiture on October 16, which drew speakers including the Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., JCD, bishop of the Diocese of Trenton; Lesa M. Lardieri-Wright ’75, chair of the GCU Board of Trustees; and Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D. The bishop’s advice to GCU’s ninth president: Take time now to develop a vision. “A vision, however, cannot be formed or fashioned in isolation,” Bishop O’Connell, former president of the Catholic University of America, spoke from experience. “A good leader looks first before he leaps; a good leader listens first before he speaks; a good leader learns first before he teaches. “Look, listen, and learn first,” he advised, “and your vision as a good leader will follow and deepen and grow for the community you seek to lead…” Additional words of wisdom were offered by former Georgian Court presidents Rosemary E. Jeffries, RSM, Ph.D., ’72; Barbara A. Williams, RSM, ’63; and Maria Cordis Richey, RSM, Ph.D., ’50. More than a dozen more Sisters of Mercy also celebrated the inauguration. On the Move Dr. Marbach posed for a photo with former presidents Sister Rosemary (left), Sister Barbara (right), and Dr.