WINTER 2016

A Brief History of Marlon James

Wilkes Creative Writing Professor Kaylie Jones Talks with the Man Booker Prize Winner president’s letter

VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 1 WINTER 2016

The Arts Are Integral WILKES MAGAZINE University President Dr. Patrick F. Leahy to a Great University Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs ilkes University wants to be one of our country’s finest small Michael Wood universities. We will be unique by offering the programs, Executive Editor activities, and opportunities of a large university, in the caring, Jack Chielli MA’08 mentoring culture of a small college. Recognizing that we Managing Editor Kim Bower-Spence cannot be a comprehensive university without a commitment to Editor Wthe arts, and that we can’t provide an effective liberal education without students Vicki Mayk MFA’13 experiencing the arts in all forms, today we are committed to investing in the Creative Services literary, performing, new media and visual arts. Lisa Reynolds Director of Graduate Marketing The arts have always been integral to a Wilkes education, occupying a special Gabrielle D’Amico MA’15 space on campus. We celebrated that enduring commitment during the fall Web Services semester when we marked the 50th anniversary of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Craig Thomas MBA’11 Center for the Performing Arts. That evening we celebrated some of the special Electronic Communications Joshua Bonner moments created at the Darte Center since it Communications Specialist opened in 1965, while we enjoyed performances of Kelly Clisham MA’15 today’s students in their vocal, instrumental, dance Graduate Assistant and theater ensembles. Jennifer Jenkins Hillary Transue MA’15 Nowhere is our arts commitment more evident Layout/Design than in our plans for the Sordoni Art Gallery. The Kara Reid University is creating a new home for the gallery Printing at our newly acquired property at 141 South Main Pemcor Inc. Street. We are transitioning the Sordoni from a EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP model in which we curate and collect artwork to Anne Batory ’68 Brandie Meng MA’08 become a high-end exhibition gallery curating Bill Miller ’81 and showcasing traveling shows that will provide a George Pawlush ’69 MS’76 Donna Sedor ’85 much wider variety of exhibits for our students and ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF Wilkes President Patrick F. Leahy community members to enjoy. The plan aims to shares his vision for the University with Director visiting alumni at Homecoming 2015. make the Sordoni Art Gallery the leading destination Bridget Giunta Husted ’05 PHOTO BY KNOT JUST ANY DAY. for showcasing the visual arts in the region. Associate Director Mary Balavage Simmons ’10 The literary arts are celebrated year-round at Wilkes. On the graduate level, faculty, literary agents, alumni, and students of our low-residency creative writing Alumni Event and Communication Manager Jacki Lukas ’11 program travel to campus from across the country twice a year for workshops, lectures, craft classes and readings. The English department’s Allan Hamilton ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Dickson series brings some of today’s best writers to campus. Our undergraduates Cindy Charnetski ’97 can interact with those writers in workshops and informal conversation. Vice President Never wanting to miss an interdisciplinary approach to the arts experience— Ellen Hall ’71 Secretary this spring we’ll observe the 400th anniversary of the passing of William Kathy Heltzel ’82 MBA ’85 Shakespeare. Performances of his comedy Twelfth Night, Historian and musical performances of works from the period will Tom Ralston ’80 mark more than four centuries of the Bard’s influence. Wilkes magazine is published three times a year by the Wilkes University At a time when the arts are under siege at many Office of Marketing Communications, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, [email protected], (570) 408-4779. Please send change of address educational institutions, I am proud to share with to the above address. you that the commitment to the arts continues to be Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional a priority at Wilkes. We shall never lose sight of its programs. The university provides its students with the experience and education necessary for career and intellectual development as well as for personal growth, importance in educating our students and enriching Dr. Patrick F. Leahy engenders a sense of values and civic responsibility, and encourages its students to welcome the opportunities and challenges of a diverse and continually the community. Wilkes University President changing world. The university enhances the tradition of strong student-faculty interactions in all its programs, attracts and retains outstanding people in every segment of the university, and fosters a spirit of cooperation, community involvement, and individual respect within the entire university. contents novel. the Man Booker Prize for his has accompanied the award of contemplates the fame that Marlon James MA ‘06 PHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTO BY EARL AND SEDOR 8 16 14 FEATURES 6 of MarlonJames A BriefHistory fields, matsandcourts. most memorable momentson Wilkes playing Athletic HallofFameinducteesreflect ontheir Memorable Moments survival ofbats. onwhite-nose syndrome affecting the authorities Greg Turner ’94isone oftheworld’s foremost Environmental Protector Management HallofFame. Women andEmergency inHomelandSecurity Network heraspotintheInternational of earned Milmoe’76’sVilma Schifano career public service Emergency Maestra creative memberKaylie faculty Jones. writing discusses thechallengesofbeinganovelist with Man Booker Prize Winner MarlonJames MA’06 6 8 14 21 20 19 2 DEPARTMENTS Class Notes Alumni News Giving Back On Campus Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766. or Contact usat [email protected] Have astory idea to share? www.wilkes.edu/wilkesmagazineonline Wilkes magazine isavailable onlineat Wilkes magazine, 84 W. South St.,

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1 WILKES | Winter 2016 on campus

Darte Center Marks 50th Anniversary The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts may be 50 years old, but the anniversary celebration on Oct. 24, 2015, showed its role is just as vital as when it opened its doors a half-century ago. Performances by students in choral and instrumental ensembles, numbers highlighting dance and scenes presented by Wilkes University Theatre showcased the continued vitality of the performing arts on campus. Reminiscences about the building’s history were provided by alumni that included state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski ’67 and Elizabeth Slaughter ’68, a member of the Wilkes board of trustees. One alumnus—Bruce Phair ’73—took a final bow as he ended 36 years as manager of the Darte. (See story on page 23.)

Top left: The Civic Band, directed by Philip Simon, associate professor of music, was one of the instrumental ensembles performing at the anniversary event.

Top right: Alumna and Wilkes trustee Elizabeth Slaughter ’68 reminisced about her days working with legendary theatre director Al Groh.

Bottom: Students in the Wilkes chorus gave a rollicking performance at the 50th anniversary celebration. PHOTOS BY KNOT JUST ANY DAY

Dedication of Michelini Hall Honors Former President Wilkes celebrated the legacy of its second president, Francis J. Michelini, when it dedicated a building in his honor. At a ceremony on Nov. 10, Barre Hall, a Wilkes student residence hall, was renamed in his honor. The hall is home to students in the honors program. Michelini was the first Wilkes president to ascend from the academic ranks. He joined Wilkes in 1955 as the third full-time faculty member in the biology department. In 1963, he became dean of academic affairs. After becoming president, Michelini—known to many as “Dr. Mike”—

Winter 2016 helped to ensure the University’s survival after the devastating Agnes flood | in 1972, leading campus recovery efforts and ensuring Wilkes was ready for classes in the fall. Francis J. Michelini, second president of Wilkes, savors the moment WILKES as Barre Hall was dedicated in his honor. PHOTO BY LISA REYNOLDS

2 on campus

Wilkes Ranked 25th In The Nation For Each college received an “over/under” score—showing if earnings ranked above or below expected earnings if they attended Economic Value By The Economist another school. In Wilkes’ case, expected earnings are $41,650. The Wilkes University is ranked 25th in the nation for economic median earnings projected by The Economist are $49,900, showing value by The Economist. The ranking was announced in the that attending Wilkes boosts the earnings power of its graduates at international publication’s first-ever college rankings. $8,250 above expectations. The ranking determines a college’s economic value by The Economist’s rankings use the U.S. Department of Education’s comparing what a school’s undergraduate alumni earn and how new College Scorecard data. To arrive at the over/under much they might have earned had they studied somewhere else. comparison, the newspaper used a variety of variables, including In Wilkes’ case, that amounts to $8,250 more in annual earnings. average SAT scores, sex ratio, race breakdown, college size and The Economist’s analysis included a median salary for graduates socioeconomic data. The result is a ranking that recognizes value predicted in its model for each of the 1,275 colleges included in above reputation, listing Wilkes above institutions such as MIT and its rankings. The salaries are predicted as what graduates would Penn State. earn 10 years after entering college.

Spring Lectures Offer Diverse Perspectives Topics as varied as international politics and entrepreneurism with a social conscience highlight spring lectures at Wilkes.

Mary Fisher, Activist, Author and Max Rosenn Lecture Features Artist, Delivers Allan P. Kirby Lecture Israeli Diplomat Ron Prosor Mary Fisher, activist, author and artist, will Ron Prosor, former Israeli ambassador speak on “Freeing the Entrepreneur for the to the United Nations, will speak about Global Good” at the Allan P. Kirby Lecture “Israel and the Evolving Frontline of a in Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Disintegrating Middle East: A Guided on March 16. The lecture will be in the Tour” for the Max Rosenn Lecture in Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Law and Humanities on May 1. The Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. The event is lecture is at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy free and open to the public. Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Fisher is a global leader in the arena Arts. Admission to the lecture is free and of social change. Diagnosed with HIV open to the public. in 1991 and with breast cancer in 2012, Prosor served as Israel’s permanent Fisher is an outspoken advocate. She representative to the United Nations Mary Fisher delivered a keynote address at the 1992 from 2011 to 2015. He previously served Republican National Convention that is as Israel’s ambassador to the United ranked among “the best 100 American Kingdom, and director-general of Israel’s speeches of the 20th century” by Oxford Foreign Ministry. He holds a master’s University Press. Her early experience, first degree in political science from Hebrew in public and commercial broadcast media, University in Jerusalem. then in high-profile positions, equipped With almost three decades of her to urge transformation in health care, experience at the Israeli Ministry revise perceptions and responses to AIDS, of Foreign Affairs, Prosor earned an and enable women’s global empowerment. international reputation as a distin- She is the author of six books, including guished diplomat. While serving as her best-selling memoir, Messenger, and director-general, he oversaw the work is launching the latest expression of her of the foreign ministry during the Winter 2016 creative philosophy, The 100 Good Deeds disengagement from Gaza in 2005. | Bracelet, sold in partnership with Macy’s. Ron Prosor WILKES

3 4 WILKES | Winter 2016 on campus PHOTOS BY EARL AND SEDOR PHOTOGRAPHIC adjusts the electrodes on the head of fellow intern Melanie Rivera. Right: NeuroTraining and Research Center intern Katherine Marianacci Karly Mason prepares to place the glasses on student Alex Rodino. devices used for a process that uses lights and audio tones as student Above: Robert Bohlander, professor of psychology, adjusts the refers totheabilitychangebrain.” how thecenter helps. “Neuroplasticity hasbecomeabuzzword. It psychology, physics andpharmacy. andincludesstudyinbiology,ciplinary biochemistry, chemistry, majors. The neuroscience major, introduced in2015, isinterdis- available forfree tofaculty, staffandstudents. better,or tohelpathletesperform Wilkes adedicatedcenterwithservices offers techniques usedatthecentermay beemployed atsomeotherinstitutionsinresearch waysFaculty andstaffcanlearn toreduce stress andimprove theirfocus. test anxietyare amongthosewhocanbenefitfrom techniquestaughtatthecenter. techniques canbenefitanyone. from Athletes, andstudentssuffering artists performing Academy itasatreatment ofPediatrics hasendorsed forattentiondeficitdisorder.” professor ofpsychology. “What we’re talkingaboutistrainingthebrain.” associate professor ofpsychology Bohlander, whoco-directs thecenterwithRobert in themedicalfield. well established, neurofeedback isanewer techniquebeingusedby and psychologists processes rateandmuscle tensiontoimprove suchasheart physical well-being—is that hasgrown inthelastdecade. While theideaofbiofeedback—training bodily techniques toenhanceperformance, beat stress andimprove concentration. inneuroscience andpsychology ofthecampuscommunity in majoring trainmembers wall reflect anenvironment art thatisnoordinary research laboratory. Here students in busy Breiseth Hall. Softlights, inmuted tonesandtasteful furniture comfortable Enter theNeuroTraining andResearch Centerandyou stepintoanoasisofcalm New NeuroTraining and Research Center Opens Schicatanopointstotheconceptcalledneuroplasticity toexplain forpsychology andneuroscience internships The centeroffers The centerisuniqueamongcollegesanduniversities, Schicatano says. While the Although Wilkes’ centerdoesn’t offertreatment fordiagnosedconditions, itstraining “It’s useiscomingintoitsown,” Bohlanderadds. “For example, The American “Neurofeedback hasreally taken offinthelastdecade,” explainsEdSchicatano, In establishing thecenter, Wilkes isonthecuttingedgeofascientificconcept Fordham University. inEnglishliterature degree fromarts institutions across thecountry. several universities andothernot-for-profit multimillion dollarfundraisingprograms for was responsible forplanninganddirecting MacKinnon’sDuring career atCCS, he inNew headquartered firm York City. CCS, fundraisingconsulting aninternational In addition, heserved asvicepresident at million as executive director ofScranton’s $125 executive assistanttothepresident, aswell of Scranton, includingchiefofstaffand in several roles leadership attheUniversity tohistimeatMarquette,Prior heserved vice president foruniversity advancement. University, where healsoserved asinterim of stafftothepresident ofMarquette consultant. Hepreviously served aschief was aphilanthropy andcapitalcampaign andalumnirelations.planned giving the annual fund, majordonorsolicitation, related to efforts staff andoverseeing University, directing initiatives atthe oversee fundraising Advancement. Hewill for University its new vicepresident has joined Wilkes as Thomas MacKinnon University Advancement New Vice President for Thomas MacKinnon is MacKinnon received hisbachelorof tojoining Prior Wilkes, MacKinnon Pride, Passion,Promise Campaign. on campus Sidhu School Senior Wins Regional Business Competition Edward Powell has oil in his veins. A self-described “car nut,” the senior in the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership recently turned his passion into a profes- sional pursuit and took first place in the TecBridge Pitch Competition. The TecBridge organization encourages entrepreneurship in northeast Pennsylvania. Students from 10 regional colleges presented entrepre- neurial start-up business ideas to a board of professionals to compete. His start-up business idea, Gear Head Garage, embodies his love of cars and auto mechanics by providing the curious with an avenue to develop skills and knowledge of auto maintenance. “It’s a do-it-yourself car garage where you can learn to work on a car while a mechanic supervises you,” says Powell, an entrepreneurship and marketing double major from Schnecksville, Pa. “It’s something that I’m very passionate about that has done so much for me, and I want to be able to share that with other people.” Sidhu School senior Edward Powell He attributes his win to skills attained from the Sidhu School. took first place “The hands-on and experiential-style learning we do teaches the in the TecBridge basis of how to be a professional...that can make you so much more Competition. successful.”

Political Science Faculty Edit Book Ray Dombroski ’78 is Member of on Minority Voting Wilkes University Board of Trustees in the United States Editor’s Note: In announcing the Minority voters—an increasing appointment of Ray Dombroski part of the electorate—will play ’78’s appointment to the University a significant role in the 2016 board of trustees in the spring/ presidential election. Two Wilkes summer 2015 issue of the political science professors are the magazine, his biography contained editors of a two-volume reference errors. The following biography that examines voting patterns of corrects the errors. Our sincere minorities in America. Thomas apologies to Mr. Dombroski. Baldino, professor of political science, and Kyle Kreider, associate professor of political Ray Dombroski ’78 has been with Comcast Corporation science, co-edited Minority Voting in the United States, since 1999 and is currently senior vice president of product published in December 2015 by Praeger. development and deployment for Comcast Business, a In the books’ introduction, Baldino points to the national provider of advanced, flexible communications prediction that white Americans will be the minority solutions for small- and mid-sized businesses. After receiving by 2042. “While this does not necessarily mean white his electrical engineering degree from Wilkes in 1978, he Americans will be a minority among voters,” Baldino began his career at RCA Laboratories in Princeton, N.J. writes, “It does demonstrate that the American electorate Always entrepreneurial by nature, Dombroski was part of will fundamentally change in the coming decades, likely a start-up long distance telephone and data communications causing significant changes in presidential and congressional company called Argo Communications in the early 1980s. In elections.” Acknowledging that a number of minorities 1987, he joined an early-stage cellular telephone company, have played significant roles in recent elections, the 33 Metrophone/Metromedia, as vice president of engineering chapters examine the voting history and evolving politics and operations. After several successful years, the company of eight groups, including African Americans, Latinos, was acquired by Comcast. He still has roots in the Wyoming women, Jewish voters and Asian Americans. Chapters are Valley area and returns to Wilkes-Barre to visit his parents. Winter 2016 | written by political scientists who are experts in studying He and his wife, Colleen DeMorat, live in Malvern, Pa., and the particular minority. are the parents of two grown children, Allison and Ian. WILKES

5 6 WILKES | Winter 2016 Moments Memorable Athletics Hall ofFame Inductees Recall TheirFavorite Memories FIELD HOCKEY Tracy Engle McDonald ’97 MEN’S BASKETBALL Brian Gryboski’99 0.83 goalsagainstaverage in1995. She inasingleseason as wellhistory asher shutouts in1994alsoranktops inschool shutouts, withfive in1994. Her eight in shutouts, with16, aswell asconsecutive for fouryears. Sheholdsthecareer record McDonald anchored the cagefor Wilkes All-Freedom First Team selection, career:Colonels sports A three-time has anonlinesalesbusiness. and advisestheyearbook staff. Herfamily Keys, where shealsocoachescheerleading EnglishteacherintheFlorida 10th-grade Where sheisnow: McDonaldisa Where heisnow: He ranked seventh infieldgoalpercentage in gamesplayed with116andcareer wins. selection, hestandsastheall-timeleader 16, Elite8andFinal4run. An All-ECAC teams,NCAA tournament includingaSweet Conference Championshipsandfourstraight ofthree Middle part an integral Atlantic career:Colonels sports was Gryboski Neuromodulation, amedicaldevice company. managerforBostonScientific territory Gryboski is a Gryboski Here they share aboutthelessons memoriesandtalk they have carriedforward into theirlives after Wilkes. first timeinschoolhistory.”first a spotintheDivision 3FinalFour forthe consecutive days Centertoearn attheMarts when we defeatedRowan andHunteron my junioryearduring basketball season most memorable momentasanathletewas Most memorable Wilkes moment: “My the school’s list. all-timescoring his career with1,120points, goodfor25thon and 11thinrebounds with623. Hefinished (50.1), sixthinfree throws with313made meant alottoushave himthere.” didn’t ontheroad, getmany fans soitreally (Wachowski) cametoanaway game. We as anathletewas any timeColonelBob most memorable momentIrecall at Wilkes Most memorable Wilkes moment: “The 1996 andtheNCAA Playoffs in1995. Atlantic championshipin1993, 1994and years whileinnetaswell astheECAC Mid Wilkes toFreedom Leaguetitlesallfour a 1.15career goalsagainstaverage. Sheled 574saves hercareer with registering during in67of68gamesgoalfor started Wilkes Athletics HallofFame. Honored duringaJanuary takes ahostofmemoriesandlessons. It’s true for thesixalumniinducted thisyear into the ceremony following aFreedom Conference basketball doubleheader, the23rd class of The lasttimeanathlete walks offWilkes’ athletic fieldsor exits thegym,heorshe inductees represents sixsports.

WRESTLING Gerry Willets ’71 FOOTBALL Brett Trichilo ’05 to make itintothefinals.” I defeatedthenumber-two seed match atnationalsinFargo, N.D. was theday Iwon my semi-final moment asanathleteat Wilkes moment: “My mostmemorable memorable Wilkes Most on themat. record and.796winpercentage his career witha38-9-2 career same weight class. Hefinished atthe as thenationalrunner-up at 167poundsbefore finishing Middle Atlantic Conference title four-year career. Heclaimedthe Wilkes his wrestling squadduring ontheundefeated1971 starred career:Colonels sports Willets Township, N.J. salesman nearhishomeinByram andalsoworksfacility asasupply atahealth-care as anengineer Where heisnow: Willets works and Division III selection.All-American He 2004, Trichilo alsowas atwo-time All-ECAC named MAC Player ofthe Year in2003and Conference selection, includingtwicebeing 2004.three-time All-MiddleAtlantic A Division IIIcollegefootballin2003and the Melberger Award asthebestplayer in career:Colonels sports Trichilo earned Sandvik Process Systemsin Wayne, N.J. a product specialistinRegion for Americas Where heisnow: Anengineer, Trichilo is FIELD HOCKEY Justine Nemshick-Yeager ’94 Mid-Atlantic title.” year whenwe won theECAC an athleteat Wilkes was my senior “My mostmemorable momentas Most memorable Wilkes moment: the offensive endofthefield. points onsixgoalsandassists Nemshick talliedcareer marks of18 adefender,Although primarily asteamcaptain.junior seasonserving League First Team All-Star inher onship. Shewas namedaFreedom 1994 ECAC Mid-Atlanticchampi- including a1993ECAC titleand onship seasonsfortheLadyColonels played role acrucial intwo champi - ondefensefor starter Wilkes, she career:Colonels sports Afour-year hockey coach. where she’s alsoassistantvarsity field inMountain School District Top, Pa., Yeager isateacherintheCrestwood Where sheisnow: Nemshick- one particular thing,one particular Iwould say thepeople.” myself extremely lucky.... IfIhadtosingleout to count. Itwas fouryears. afantastic Iconsider most collegeexperiences, there are toomany Most memorable Wilkes moment:“Like touchdowns (5)andyards (316). rushing with individual gamerecords inpoints(30), yards in2003. Hefinishedhis Wilkes career He hasaseasonrecord with2,185 inrushing with 384points, andrushing, with5,837yards. holds theall-timecareer records inscoring, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL/SOFTBALL Michelle Zawoiski ’87 of so many during her of somany during Wilkes years. was toohard to choosejustoneout moment: memorable Wilkes Most the1983-84season. during Wilkes Woman Athlete ofthe Year infielder. She was also awarded the softball fieldin1983and1985asan Atlantic Conference onthe honors 952 pointswhileearning All-Middle with finished hercareer onthe court hercareer at during Wilkes. She basketball andsoftballfield court women’s club, onthe starred a four-year member oftheletter- career:Colonels sports Zawoiski, Mountain Top,Pa. continues tooperatesuccessfullyin Pretty Paws, Too!, whichshe her own dog-grooming business, career withPPL, Zawoiski started Where sheisnow: After along Zawoiski commentedit

7 WILKES | Winter 2016 A BRIEF HISTORYOF MARLON JAMES Winter 2016 | WILKES

8 A BRIEF HISTORYOF MARLON JAMES A BRIEFHISTORYOF WILKES CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSOR KAYLIE JONES TALKS WITH THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE WINNER PRIZE BOOKER MAN THE WITH TALKSJONES KAYLIE PROFESSOR WRITING CREATIVE WILKES writing process and handling rejection. discusses the biases in publishing, his Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn., University, James, who teaches at him and brought him to study at the faculty member who discovered Jones, the Wilkes creative writing In this conversation with novelist Kaylie reggae artist Bob Marley in 1976. history of the attempted murder of James was born, the book is a ctional voices. Set in Kingston, Jamaica, where 686 pages with 75 characters and James’ prize-winning novel is an epic Mantel, Philip Roth and Alice Munro. authors as Salman Rushdie, Hilary now is in the company of such notable to win the international prize, James literary stardom. As the rst Jamaican the Wilkes creative writing alumnus to Man Booker Prize winner, it catapulted was selected in October 2015 as the novel WHEN MARLON JAMES MA’ ’ By Kaylie Jones Wilkes from Jamaica. discuss his success since coming to faculty member Kaylie Jones met to graduate creative writing program Marlon James MA ‘06 and Wilkes EARL AND SEDOR PHOTOGRAPHIC A Brief History ofSeven Killings PHOTOS BY s

9 WILKES | Winter 2016 KAYLIE JONES: I’ll never forget the What you told me years later, when day I met you. In March 2004 I arrived we became friends, was that you had in Kingston, Jamaica, to teach a fi ction destroyed every copy of that book workshop and was driven to a house in existence and had nothing to give that was still under construction, bare me. I believe you said that fi nally, in concrete and wood beams. I found desperation, you emailed a friend in myself at the head of a long table with London and asked him if he still had the eight Jamaicans staring at me with book as an attachment in his in-box— expectant looks. You were the only the last copy in existence. All I can say male in the group, and the only one is, thank God he still had the copy. If who looked miserable. Within the fi rst you had not pursued writing, the loss to hour I realized that you had read almost the world of literature would have been every book I mentioned, and you had staggering and incomprehensible. an almost encyclopedic memory for character names and imagery. When MARLON JAMES: I remember. you submitted the fi rst chapter of your The last place I wanted to be was novel to the workshop, I took the pages that workshop. I had learned so much back to the house where I was staying from the previous teacher, Elizabeth and was up late reading. I was absolutely Nunez (novelist and American Book stunned by the quality of your work. Award winner), but between that class The next day, after the workshop, and yours, my novel had been rejected I asked you if you had more pages. around 50 times, and another 28 or so You were kind of evasive. At the time from even before that. The manuscript Above: The cover of James’ novel, which is a ctional history I didn’t know why. I said something made it as far as an editor at Houghton of the attempted murder of like, “Listen, I don’t lie and I don’t fool Miffl in, who then went to work for reggae singer Bob Marley. around, I don’t have time. I’m telling Playboy, which, of course, killed the Below: Jones and James share stories—and a few you this is really good.” You then told book. One could argue that I was simply laughs—about the challenges me that you’d sent that very novel (John sending work to the wrong agents and of writing and publishing. Crow’s Devil) out to 40, 50, 60 agents, publishers, but it astounded me just editors, and publishers, and every single how narrow-minded they were, one had turned it down. even the indie presses. Winter 2016 | WILKES

10 the kind of writer they wantthe kindofwriter toteach? more specifi cally, avery narrow ideaof idea ofwhatmakes goodfi ction, or becauseofavery narrow writers great What aboutMFA programs thatpasson sellable oreven successful. on thesideofavery outdatedideaof a sellable novel, but toomany stillerr mainstream reconsider publishers what’s fi novelrst to, andGraywolf have made like Akashic Press, whomyou gave my publisher thatwanted it. Indiesuccesses Women, but they were alsotheonly my secondnovel, TheBookofNight around, by theway. Riverhead published didn’t changemuch thesecondtime nobody wanted torep iteither. And that Nobody wanted topublish it, and down thebookasthere were publishers. There were asmany agentswhoturned don’t aswell. care aboutthesewriters extent it’s becausemainstream agents allthetime, writers great but toahuge MJ: completely? writer great publishing missesatruly how oftendoyou thinkmainstream KJ: And it’s oragents. notjustpublishers As a writing teacheryourself,As awriting Mainstream publishing misses readership’s reaction? and deprivation, doyou ever fearyour abouthumanweaknessWhen you write I love mostaboutyou andyour work. love your courage. Itisoneofthethings sideofhumannature.gruesome ButI fl ak forshowing thebleaker andmore subjects. Infact, you have taken some You don’t shy away from terrible, dark driven, ambitious, andtotallyoriginal. three ofyour novels. As awriter, you’re You worked very, very hard onall themthatthisisnotthecase.inform Stephen King. Ifeelit’s my jobto dirty novel andfamous, andbecomerich like think it’s easy. They’re a goingtowrite fi nd distressing ishow studentsoften to usat Wilkes. As ateacher, whatI KJ: inyears. cry whom wrote thefi booktomakerst me fi nd aprogram toacceptthem, oneof Two ofmy fi nest studentshave yet to But writing a great novel agreat But writing takes work. WHO HADTO CARRY THEBURDEN OFIT.” OUT ANDTELLITFROM THEFORGOTTEN PEOPLE NOBODY ELSE CAN. WECAN FLIPHISTORY INSIDE “THERE ARETHINGSANOVELIST CAN DOTHAT Well, pleasesendthosestudents dangerous characterinthenovel, is book where Weeper, thesecondmost sex. For example, there’s ascenein my thananybody else,truth even with invention, we closertothe can skirt Because somuch ofwhatwe dois theburden ofit.who hadtocarry and tellitfrom theforgotten people else can. We canfl insideout ip history are thingsanovelist candothatnobody them isthereason we are here. There the humanexperience, andcapturing the bookatall. because itwas either thatornotwrite And yet Iwrote thosescenesanyway, todeaththreats. tocensorship scorn abouteverything fromworried critical that we would rathernottalk about. I these secrets ofJamaican politicalhistory I feltthesameway aboutunmasking an invitation tobeattacked inJamaica. intimacy Iwondered ifIwas writing scenesofgaywhole timeIwas writing aboutreader reaction.I worried The explicit whenthey were onstagebut I knew thesexandviolencehadtobe slightly unreliable narration. these were notmistakes inthenovel but to convince my French translator...that simplydidn’tsame story addup. Ihad having whoseaccountsofthe characters or throwing toaghost, narration or thing withthatseven-page sentence, or thinkitwas pretentious. The same I feared readers would eithernotgetit, stayed away from itformonthsbecause prose, somethinglike blank verse, but than book hadtohew closertolyrics I knew theassassinationsceneinmy it wasn’t justcontent, itwas alsoform. and withABriefHistoryofSevenKillings, MJ: I thinktheseare essential aspectsof aboutcontentalso.But Idoworry I dofearreader reaction sometimes, 11 WILKES | Winter 2016 12 WILKES | Winter 2016 novelists rarely have. important. This isakindofpressure that injustice andyou are, therefore, hugely a brave manwhohastaken astandagainst her. You are now position, inaleadership specifi cally asabeaconforpeoplesuch been published atall. Shementionsyou queer intheCaribbean, mightnothave Oct. 31, examiningwhatitmeanstobe New YorkTimesop-edpieceofSunday, Bellot’sthe ManBooker Prize—Gabrielle we mighteven say ifyou hadnotwon Minnesota toMyself,” March 10, 2015)— by coming outasgay hadnotbeenpublished Caribbean. Ifyour op-edpieceabout for themany LGBTpeopleofthe consequences hasstaggering human rights KJ: good reviews. part. Nowadays I don’t even read the and theauthorreally doesn’t have totake conversation withthereader, notauthor, onthis,article onhow areview isa University professor) hasawonderful J. Lennon(novelist Robert andCornell discussion thatyou of. needtobeapart when you realize thatit’s nota getseasier MJ: Ithinkthecriticism you now? are right whenyou as becomeasfamous criticized KJ: aboutwhatotherpeoplethink. worrying the explicitnesswas important, Istopped step by step. When Irealized thisiswhy accept andeven enjoy himselfasaperson, he alsoby extensionfi to nally learned toenjoylearning itstepby step—that sexuality—having sexwiththismanand only intheraw demonstrationofhisown simply hadtobeexplicitbecauseitwas having sexwithawhiteman. The scene is announced. by news media after the prize Man Booker judges are interviewed Below James left: and two of the the Oct. 15, 2015, awards ceremony in London. Above James left: accepts the Man Booker Prize at The NewYorkTimes(“From Jamaica to Butwhatyou have accomplishedfor Does it get easier to be so virulently Doesitgeteasiertobesovirulently again.again. ButIwillfeelloved. ButIwillfeelloved. has has Myfamily Myfamily and protectionsand protections onthecontinent. onthecontinent. a LGBTorganizationfia LGBTorganizationfi ghting forrights ghting forrights speaking atareceptionspeaking atareception for for Africa’sAfrica’s Out, Out, and more withit,and more comfortable withit, comfortable even even a stand?RecentlyIhavea stand?RecentlyIhave becomemore becomemore that makes you outtobe happy turns though, doesn’t it, thatjustliving thelife lifeeither.a false Itsays something for activist writers, but Icouldn’t live an activist andhave very littlepatience cating thenarrative ofJamaica. I’mnot bother meisthatitmeansI’mcompli- reason why thenegative responses don’t women thankingmeforthepiece. The menand thousands ofCaribbean happened: dozens, hundreds, now TURNS OUTTO BEASTAND?” JUST LIVINGTHELIFETHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY “IT SAYS SOMETHING THOUGH, DOESN’T IT, THAT the other. on accusations ofshamingthecountry ononehand, bigotry inspiring and The NewYorkTimespiecewent viral— of allthepapers. Ontheotherhand, the Booker winmadethefront cover hand, Jamaica celebratedthesuccess— there are, bothbadandgood. Onone knew there would beconsequencesand to millions. That was whatcameout. I Next thingIknow, I’mcomingout the editor, saying “voyage ofthewill.” doing was responding toaprompt from do anything small?” To thinkallIwas the fi thinghesaidwas,rst “Do you (author ofWaitingInVain)calledand published), thenovelist ColinChanner remember, theday (was afterthearticle even cameoutinTheNewYorkTimes.I back toJamaica? And thatwas before I dead? Will CanIgo there bereprisals? onreally people I’mbasingthestory thisbookIwondered,writing are allthe fear allthetime. The wholetimeIwas MJ: It doesn’t meanI’llfeelsafeinJamaica But here’s theotherthingthat It doesn’t meanI’llfeelsafeinJamaica It’s funny, becauseI’mseizedby I saidwas, “I don’t know whose story Rachelandthefigood friend thing rst couldn’t fi nd thatperfectvoice. the entire novel, like aguide, but I methrough that specialvoice tocarry disaster. Ithought my process was fi nding Brief HistoryofSevenKillingsanditwas a process, Iappliedthatapproach toA novel. Butthinking thatInow hada novel would. And itworked forthat reader, inmuch thesameway aBronte andcommunication withthe authority was essentiallyonevoice establishing My lastnovel, TheBookofNightWomen, author, thisthehard way. andIlearned the work thatshapestheprocess, notthe preventing new andfresh writing. It’s sometimes thathabitisexactlywhat’s think ofasprocess isreally justhabit. And from ColinChannerthatwhatwe often nearly killedthenew novel. Ilearned was thinkingthatIhadaprocess that MJ: Now process istricky, becauseit is like. Couldyou share thatwithus? would like toknow whatyour process writers and I’msure many aspiring KJ: back to intheMiddle Africa Ages! offonme,Hall isrubbing but I’mgoing forawhile.20th century Maybe Wolf MJ: Marlon? Doyou have aproject inmind? KJ: came out? When was heever in?” “Did you seethepiecewhere Marlon Maxine talkingtoanotherfriend, saying, response tothepiecewas my friend know they’ve gotmy back. Myfavorite been great. have Myfriends madesure I I saidwas, “I don’t know whose story Rachelandthefigood friend thing rst I remember having dinnerwithmy What are your plansforthefuture, You are avery disciplinedwriter, As forthefuture, I’mleaving the KJ: other way around. up. Inspirationserves you insteadofthe about aroutine, thenthemuses willshow and that ifyou aboutwriting are serious Wilkes MFA program) saidthisyears ago, Nancy McKinley (aprofessor inthe of process, Idolove theideaofroutine. for theprevious one. torecreatetrying aprocess thatworked in theway ofmy own bookbecauseIwas think aboutprocess, how Iwas standing pages intoanovel. Butitalsomademe breakthroughs sometimeshappen50-100 breakthrough Iwas lookingfor, andmy question changedeverything. Itwas the you simple read AsILayDying?” That one voice’s story? When was thelasttime this is.” Shesaid, “Why doyou thinkit’s the work, focusonthework? anyway, sowhy not, whenit’s justyou and a publisher. All thatotherstuffwillhappen aboutrejection andfilonger worry nding I fi nd thatworks even now thatIno focus onjustdoingmy very bestwork? now,so right whileI’mwriting, why not be enoughtimeforquiteabitofboth, and rejection canbothwait. There will toanaudience. pandering start Acceptance it—otherwiseIwould when I’mwriting it intomy writing. my life, theleastIcoulddo was notallow rejection beinganever-present reality in it. itdown. Everybody elseturned Sowith they were theonlypublisher thatwanted course, but whatfew peopleknow isthat Riverhead published my secondnovel, of afterwards Istilldidn’t thinkaboutitmuch. writing I never thoughtaboutrejection before MJ: achieve, how doyou stay ontask? achieved ever whatfew young writers feeling discouraged, andnow thatyou’ve keep upwhenyou your were spirits let aloneanaudience. How didyou withfiare struggling nding apublisher, That said, whileIchafeagainsttheidea I don’t ofmy think aboutthefate work So many aspiring literary novelists literary So many aspiring It mightsoundkindahokey, but John Crow’sDevil,and78rejections 13 WILKES | Winter 2016 14 WILKES | Winter 2016 was destroyed by 8feetover water which had risen theroof.” community inPennsylvania. people were evacuated. Wilkes-Barre was thehardest-hit more thanahundred peoplewere killedandatleast387,000 classroom. thenasthenation’s Described worst naturaldisaster, disaster managementandrecovery before sheeven entered a Agnes, theyoung giving woman areal-world educationabout inpoliticalscience.be anincomingfreshman majoring Wilkes College. A native ofnearby Pittston, shewas excitedto Josephine Finlayson Schifano ’73and Nista’74,Ann Schifano at traces ittoevents inJune 1972. career andemergency managementandshe inpublic service Ask Milmoe’76whatinspired hertoseeka Vilma Schifano “It was traumatic,” Milmoerecalls. “My father’s restaurant of The forces intheform ofnature intruded Tropical Storm It was thesummerbefore shewas tojoinhertwo oldersisters, By HelenKaiser for Career PublicService Found Inspiration atWilkes Vilma Schifano Milmoe’76 disaster prevention, response andrecovery. in training tothepublic andprivate sectors institute offers all-hazards emergencymanagementanddisaster response. The Institute, thenation’s flagshipeducation andtrainingsitefor Management Administration’s EmergencyManagement U.S. Federal Emergency ofHomelandSecurity Department emergency management. She isseniorpolicyadvisorforthe timesoncampus.”those challenging to build ourown skillsduring andleadership public service time,” shesays. “It was empowering forusstudentsinhelping effectonMilmoe.all-out recovery hadastriking effort J. Michelinirally thecampuscommunity topitchinwithan million intoday’s dollars). Witnessing Wilkes President Francis buildings, andlossestotaledmore than$10million($57 Four decadeslater, Milmoe hasanaccomplishedcareer in ‘Dr. Mike’“ that emulated during thebestinpublic service Wilkes suffered flooddamagetoall but oneofits59 education andtraining for theFederal Emergency Emergency Management Institute at theNational Emergency Training Center inEmmitsburg, Md. Vilma Schifano Milmoe’76 plays akey role in Management Administration, working at the PHOTO BYSTEPHENBARRETT Robert Bruce Milmoe ’75. Favorite Memory: Meeting anddating herhusbandto-be, connect between classes andwork obligations. tower) whichserved asameeting place for day-students to building at the center ofcampus(now marked by theclock Favorite WilkesPlace: Four Federal Administrator’s Awards. Award; 1995 Vice Presidential Award for Northridge Earthquake; Women inEmergency Management; 2003 DHSSecretary, Team Notable: Emergency Management Institute Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Career: Master ofArts,PublicAdministration,MarywoodUniversity Bachelor ofArts,PoliticalScience,Wilkes; Vilma SchifanoMilmoe,Gettysburg,Pa. director oftheGreater Los Angeles Federal Executive Board ofJustice,Department ofEnergyandtimeas Department Other government positionshave includedwork withthe whenshejoinedthe service Veterans Administration. Management Intern. at Marywood University andalsoserved asaPresidential fellowship hermaster’s toearn inpublic degree administration for UnitedCerebral Palsy in Wilkes-Barre. Shereceived afull Nanticoke MentalHealthandRetardation Centerand public service,” Milmoesays. She challengedustostrive forexcellenceinpublic policyand department; shewas living thecareer pathIhopedtoachieve. was uniquetohave awoman chairofapoliticalscience chair ofthepoliticalsciencedepartment. “In the’70sit forpeople.”had aconcern Rodechko, shewas “a dedicatedstudentandagoodleaderwho helping floodvictims recover from thedisaster. According to assignmentinthe completed along-term Wilkes-Barre area hertobecomeavolunteerrecruited for VISTA, where she was astudent. and Henotedherpassionforpublic service director ofthecooperative educationprogram whileMilmoe andfederalgovernment. tribal andemergencymanagementinlocal,homeland security state, womenhonors inthefield of whoare andleaders pioneers achievements inemergencymanagement. The HallofFame and EmergencyManagementHallofFameforherlifetime Networkthe International of Women inHomelandSecurity Senior Policy Advisor, DepartmentofHomeland 2015 HallofFame Inductee, International Network of In 1979, shelaunchedher37-year career infederal After graduation, Milmoeworked fortheHazleton As astudent, shealsofoundarole modelinJean Driscoll, Retired Wilkes professor history James Rodechko was In November 2015, shewas oneofsixwomen inductedinto The Commons, atwo-story Tudor “It was very difficult to muster we were alldealing with themost to support ourcitizensthroughto support trainingand exercises.” helping tobuild competent andconfidentemergency managers survivors,” Milmoesays. “Every day from Igetsatisfaction FEMA’s coordination ofassistancetostatesfordisaster symposia. She’s clearaboutwhatgives inherjob. hersatisfaction as instructor, andcoordinator andpresenter atinternational itsdevelopment,some ofthetrainingcurricula, supervised served advanced inthefield.to support degrees Milmoehaswritten online. withcollegesanduniversities The institutealsopartners training formore thantwo millionstudentsannually onsiteor Training CenterinEmmitsburg, Md. The instituteprovides Management Institute, locatedattheNationalEmergency oftheEmergency multiple appointmentsasactingsuperintendent fromwas 2007until2015andserved deputysuperintendent after the2010earthquake. FEMA’s ofStateforrelief toHaiti totheDepartment support She alsoserved astherecovery center’s planningchiefduring themassive fromreports thefieldduring national responses. andRita, Katrina handlingsituation hurricanes Center during planning chiefatFEMA’s NationalResponseCoordination wentheart outtothemevery day.” IIOffice Region were affectedand working atthesite. My to nationalcoordination, colleaguesintheFEMA my former activities. “While Iwas neededtoprovide support reporting was ofateaminthenation’s part capitolcoordinating recovery the mostcatastrophic event ofourtime,” recalls Milmoe, who of my abilitiesforthenation, whilewe were alldealingwith of September11, 2001, ofhercareer. themostchallenging Islands.Virgin That assignmentmadeherwork intheaftermath encompasses New York, New Jersey, RicoandtheU.S. Puerto Center forFEMA’s II. Region Basedinlower Manhattan, it and Exercise ResponseCoordination Division andtheRegional the presidential taskforce following the1992Los Angeles riots. Beach, Los Angeles andSantaMonica. Shewas amemberof earthquake inNorthridge, Calif., andforfires inRedondo responders inthe1986earthquake in Whittier, Calif., and1994 position, shewas involved local inoperationssupporting California,for Southern andNevada.Arizona Inthelast catastrophic event ofourtime.” my abilities for thenation, while myself to perform to thebest of “I can truly make“I cantruly animpact onpeople’s lives by supporting Now akey player inFEMA’s educationandtraining, Milmoe assignmentswereOther challenging stillahead. Milmoewas “It was very tothebest difficultto muster myself toperform Next camework asdirector ofbothPreparedness Training

15 WILKES | Winter 2016 16 WILKES | Winter 2016 known species population. in West Virginia. Thecave houses 50 percent ofthe PHOTO BYCARLBUTCHKOSKI, an escape- andpredator- bat—in theHellholeCave his favorite bat species— Above, Turner shows off PHOTO BYTRACYGRAZIANO, bats for anexperiment. the Virginia big-eared Right, Turner checks proof cage to house PENNSYLVANIA GAME PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION COMMISSION

By Krista WeidnerKrista By SPECIES ENDANGERED OTHER BATS AND CHAMPIONS ’94 TURNER GREG once-common littlebrown batdeclining99.9percent. the batpopulationhassuffered a99percent decline, withthe and hasspread tothecentralUnitedStates. InPennsylvania, destroyed largesegmentsofthebatpopulationinNortheast onwhite-nosesyndrome—a fungaldiseasethathas authorities Pa., hascometobeknown asoneofthenation’s foremost Only somany peoplecanspecializeinlionsandtigers.” rodents are bats. andaquarter That’s where allthediversity is. good placetobe: Oftheworld’s 5,000-somespecies, athird are rats, shrews, bats,” hesays. “Yeah, I’mthebatsandratsguy. It’s a everything you don’t trapandshoot—chipmunks, squirrels, wood manage Pennsylvania’s protected mammals. “That includes Management, Turner’s focusistosurvey, primary monitor, and of thePennsylvania GameCommission’s Bureau of Wildlife bats. and identifyhibernating orintoacave falcons down tocount aclifftobandperegrine ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTOR Within thepastseveral years, Turner, wholives inStateCollege, As leaderoftheendangered nongamemammalsection G shrews orspottedskunks, hemightberappelling population ofrare smallmammalssuchaswater track down. Ifhe’s thestate’s notmonitoring Pennsylvania GameCommission, isn’t easyto Greg Turner ’94, forthe awildlifebiologist white-nose syndrome.” prove thatthesesurvivors have adaptedbehaviorally todealwith thantheymore usedto,” bodyfat Turner says. “We’re working to survivors, we’re seeingthey are puttingon30to40percent energy drainthefungusputsontheirbodies. “Looking atthe hibernation. seemstohelpthebatscopewith The extrafat white-nose syndrome by during puttingonmore bodyfat 10 percent—a hopefulsignforbatpopulations. levels taperofffrom about50percent ofthebats’ wingstoabout as they have observed colonies, theresearchers have seenfungus aboutwhite-nosesyndrome.story Over thepastsixtoseven years, of researchers andwas recently featured inaNationalGeographic appears.fungus first Itisnowby dozens beingusedinternationally and requires takingasmallbiopsyfrom thebat’s wingwhere the infection. This noninvasive techniquewas pioneered by Turner the state, usingultraviolet lighttoscreen thebatsforlevels of monitor batsliving incaves andundergroundminesthroughout and that’s where ourfocusis,” Turner says. Heandhisteam Another positive signisthatbatsseemto beadaptingto “Along withthesemassive declinesare survivors ineachspecies, PHOTOS THIS PAGEBYGREGTURNER, PENNSYLVANIAGAME COMMISSION an ultraviolet treatment for white nose syndrome. represents apointoffungal infection. Turner haspioneered Left, anultraviolet image ofabat’s wing. Each yellow dot white-nose syndrome. loggersdata to monitor arousal duringhibernation caused by new treatment. Thebats are wearing temperature-sensitive Above, Bats are housed inacage where Turner istesting a 17 WILKES | Winter 2016 Turner holds a little brown bat for a treatment study. PHOTO BY TRACY GRAZIANO, PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION

Greg Turner State College, Pa. Bachelor of Science, Biology, Wilkes Master of Science, Biology, Frostburg State University Career: Wildlife Biologist, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management Notable: One of the world’s foremost authorities on white-nose syndrome, which is threatening bat populations in the Northeast Favorite Wilkes Memory: “Helping Dr. Mike Steele’s students trap gray squirrels and perform behavioral Turner readily acknowledges many people’s aversion toward of all ages and skill experiments, and the plethora of bats. “Why should we care about them?” he says. “Lots of levels. Today, I’m proud interesting encounters we had in reasons. Bats perform many vital roles: They eat insects, they to call Greg a lifelong dealing with the other indigenous locals pollinate, they spread seeds around. If you like margaritas, you colleague and friend.” inhabiting the park.” can thank bats—they are the sole pollinator of the agave plant, When Turner where tequila comes from. If you like bananas, avocados, and decided to enter a almonds, thank bats. Those foods, among many others, are graduate program at Maryland’s Frostburg State University, pollinated solely by bats. They also do wonders for us when it Steele pointed him toward mammalogist John Hoogland, who comes to insect control.” The average bat eats about a million would become Turner’s advisor. Turner was researching the insects each year, saving U.S. farmers about $74 billion annually. recovery of prairie dogs following the bubonic plague, studying Turner views his education at Wilkes as an important career the populations that had survived. “John was the king of prairie stepping stone. Although his early interest in ecology and dogs,” Turner says. “He did a lot of great behavioral work, nature led him to pursue a degree in biology, he wasn’t sure which not many people do very well. It was a great fi t for me how he would parlay that degree into a profession. Meeting because I wanted to study behavioral ecology in mammals.” Michael Steele, professor of biology and H. Fenner Chair of A bonus was the opportunity to spend time in Utah’s Bryce Research Biology at Wilkes, set him on his path. Canyon and the Petrifi ed Forest National Park in Arizona, “I remember going to a job fair, and there was a dentist and a where Turner and Hoogland conducted research. doctor and I don’t know what else, and I was feeling clueless as Even in his free time, when Turner isn’t home with his wife to what I was going to do with this degree in biology,” Turner and two children (his wife, Melinda, is a wildlife biologist for says. “I met Mike, and he told me about a research project he was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), you’ll fi nd him outdoors. working on, looking at how mice and chipmunks manipulate He enjoys exploring Pennsylvania’s streams and woods acorns and how that affects oak regeneration. He offered me year-round, through fl y fi shing, archery hunting, mountain the opportunity to work with him, and I knew instantly that I biking, and cross-country skiing. wanted to be in the fi eld and do research. I was fortunate to fi nd One of Turner’s Game Commission duties, banding him. We ended up working together on several research projects.” peregrine falcons, keeps him in touch with Wilkes. “There are a Teaming up with Turner was an advantage for Steele as few nests in the Wilkes-Barre area, and I get called to rappel off well. “After joining my research team, Greg quickly distin- the cliff and get the chicks off the ledge and bring them up so guished himself as a truly talented fi eld ecologist,” says Steele. they can be banded. I always get some Wilkes biology students “He is passionate about working in the bush, putting in long to come out and join me. They see me in action, sometimes hours under harsh conditions. What sets him apart is that he is they get to hold the chicks, and it gives them a taste for what Winter 2016 | fi ercely independent, yet adept at working closely with others they can do with their biology degree.” WILKES

18 Alumni Volunteer Jason Marie’00 Little Things Make theDifference for family things,family notjust Wilkes. touch onaregular basis, even regarding influence on my life, andnow we stay in what was expected…. Hehadsucha big made thetimetogoabove andbeyond with hisstudentsandadvisees. Healways advisor andhetooksomuch extratime different ways. Dr. PrahladMurthy was my but heisstillinvolved with theprogram in afterIcameto member shortly Wilkes, fit. faculty Hestoppedbeingafull-time convinced methat Wilkes would beagood Dr. Thomas Walski was who theperson YOUR TIMEAT WILKES? WAS VERY INFLUENTIAL DURING STAFF MEMBERORALUMNUS WHO WAS THEREAFACULTY MEMBER, that stillstandtothisday. friends. We developed lifelongfriendships style.for meandmy learning involved withstudents. Itwas fit agreat sizes andhow theprofessors were very Wilkes becauseofthesmallclassroom From anacademicstandpoint, Ichose AS ASTUDENT. DESCRIBE YOUR WILKES EXPERIENCE have two children, Ben and Courtney. it also was the place where he met his wife, Jill Ronkowski Marie ’00. The couple now mentees do in the future and how they pay it forward to others.” much in return. I don’t want recognition; I am just looking forward to seeing what my is because of my mentors. All throughout my life, my true mentors have not asked for engineering program without expecting anything in return. “A big reason I do what I do says Marie. “The little things do make a difference.” If everyone gets involved and could do something small, that would be a huge change,” at a time, and you’ll get some individual victories for yourself and for Wilkes students. in classes on campus and attends events with his family. Jason Marie ’00. He works with the Wilkes alumni-student mentoring program, speaks at their alma mater, their enthusiasm shows. That’s the case with dedicated volunteer When Wilkes graduates truly find joy in volunteering, mentoring and guiding others I alsogotreally luckywithmy group of Read about Jason’s involvement with Wilkes in the following Q&A. Marie’s Wilkes experience not only gave him a great education and mentorship, but He does all of this to enhance students’ educational careers in the environmental “Being involved is not about making huge changes. Just try it, take it one semester recruitment efforts.recruitment After moving back to orassistingwith student reports it was reviewing seniorprojects and whatever they asked ofme, whether sional updates. I would todo try toprovideArizona themwithprofes- when Iwas atDrexel andworking in I stayed active withthe(Wilkes) faculty STUDENTS AS ANALUMNUS? INVOLVED WITHCURRENT WHEN DIDYOU BEGIN TO BECOME in Philadelphia, Pa., where I work now. took ajobwithHatchMottMacDonald inPennsylvania, ourfamily start soI years in Arizona, JillandIwanted to jobinPhoenix,first Ariz. Afterseven that connectionhelpedmetogetmy way tomake thathappen. After Drexel, alumni whocamebefore mepaved the professor onaresearch assistantship. The toworkgraduate withthesameDrexel fifth environmental engineering Wilkes master’s degree. Iwas or thefourth I went toDrexel University formy AFTER GRADUATION? WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH giving (Continued onnextpage) alumni events andplanning engineering process. I’ve also assistedwithplanning help withthe ABET accreditation campus toattendaluncheonand sional career tips. This year, Iwas on make thetimetogive studentsprofes- asks metospeakwithclasses, to Itry program.mentoring Anytime a professor I’m involved withthestudent-alumni CURRENTLY INVOLVED WITH? WHAT KINDS OF PROGRAMS AREYOU I’ve beenamentorsincethen. involved in2013and withmentoring were seniorproject advisors. Ibecame involved….In of2012, thefall JillandI Pennsylvania, Iwanted tobecomemore campus together each year. Marie ’00, and their children Ben and Courtney visit Above: Jason Marie ’00 and his wife, Jill Ronkowski MacDonald inPhiladelphia Career: Master ofScience, Drexel University environmental engineering, Wilkes Bachelor ofScience, Married to JillRonkowski Marie’00 Jason Marie’00, MapleGlen,Pa. Associate, Hatch Mott back 19 WILKES | Winter 2016 giving back

for students to take tours in different WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ALUMNI TO facilities. Whenever Wilkes engineering INTERACT WITH STUDENTS? GIVE BACK IN WHATEVER WAY POSSIBLE? students are presenting at a conference I love having a personal interaction If Wilkes was important to you for your near me, I do my best to try to seek with students. One-on-one or a small career and helped to shape who you are, them out to introduce myself. group is a great way to engage students why wouldn’t you want to have that same because you can connect with them to influence to touch someone else’s life? begin to build a personal and profes- Staying involved with your alma mater can sional relationship. help in so many ways. You can help the next generation learn and grow from your WHY DO YOU RETURN TO CAMPUS AS A FAMILY FOR EVENTS LIKE experiences, but you can also connect with HOMECOMING? some of your fellow classmates or even Because Wilkes is so important to Jill other alumni who can become part of your and me, we feel that our children should network. Alumni can do as much or as little understand where their parents met and as they like. Your role can be as small as that college is a fun place. Coming to making a phone call to a student or you can Wilkes becomes an annual trip that our take on a slightly bigger role of talking to children look forward to. professors to see how you can help current students…. One volunteer opportunity during a semester or during a school year Jason Marie ’00, center left, shares career advice at the annual Connecting can make all the difference in someone’s life. the Dots event sponsored by the Alumni Relations office.

GET INVOLVED WITH WILKES Are you interested in volunteering at Wilkes? We have a number of volunteer opportunities that include interacting with students in a variety of capacities. To learn more and get started, call the alumni office at (570)408-7787 or email at [email protected]. alumni news

Alumni Association Open Board Meeting Interested in learning more about the Alumni Association? Participate in our open meeting at 3 p.m. on June 3, 2016. Whether you join us on campus or call in to the meeting, you’ll get a firsthand look at how our board of directors works with its campus partners to provide programs for the alumni community. At the meeting, we’ll review our goals and discuss SAVE future opportunities. If you are interested in participating, please contact THE DATE the Office of Alumni Relations at [email protected] or (570)408-7787.

2015 Report of Gifts Available Online HOMECOMING 2016 Each year, Wilkes shares its annual Report of Gifts for donors to see SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 the impact of their support to the University. The 2015 report is now available on our website. You will be able to view members of the John Wilkes Society, who are donors who contribute at least $1,000 each year, Get ready for your reunion! members of the Marts Society, who are contributors who participate Class years ending in 1s and 6s

Winter 2016 in gift-planning programs, as well as search donors by class year and | constituency. View it at: wilkes.edu/ROG. If you have any questions, Reunions for business, education, please call Lauren Pluskey ’06 MBA ’10, director of annual giving, at communication studies, political

WILKES (570) 408-4331. science and psychology 20 class notes

Jim Ferris ’56 Ferris also influenced generations of high school and college students as an athletic coach. While at Kingston High School, Honored for Half- he served as the assistant basketball coach for 10 years, and the varsity baseball coach for nine. Century in Education At Wilkes, Ferris spent 15 years coaching soccer, basketball and baseball in multiple positions, including a nine-year stint as Jim Ferris ’56 recently celebrated more than half a century as the varsity soccer coach. an educator in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania, where he “Jim Ferris has served as a leader in educating our youth for taught, supervised and mentored generations of students. decades,” Robert Gardner ’67 MS ’72, associate professor of “What always inspired me was the idea that we never realize education, says. “In addition, he has been a celebrated athlete how much impact we might have on our students,” Ferris says. who has influenced generations of youth by sharing his love “We can affect our students in such a positive way...sometimes of athletics and encouraging young athletes to live healthy we find out, but sometimes we don’t.” lives and use their skills to understand the power of pursuing Ferris began his education career at Kingston High School, excellence in all that they do.” where he taught mathematics for 10 years. In 1966, after a Always faithful to his alma mater, Ferris has volunteered school merger created Wyoming Valley West School District, at Wilkes, including on the search committee for the Wilkes Ferris became assistant high school principal for four years. Athletics Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1993. He subsequently served as junior high principal, eventually “On a personal level, Jim is a dear friend,” vice president becoming high school principal in 1975, where he served until of student affairs Paul Adams ’77 MS ’82, says. “He is unique his retirement in 1993. among Wilkes alumni in the way he has served his alma mater throughout the years—as a gifted student–athlete, coach, alumni association president, trustee, member of the Athletics “What always inspired me was Hall of Fame, adjunct faculty member and generous supporter.” the idea that we never realize – By James Jaskolka James Jaskolka is a senior communication studies major. how much impact we might have on our students.”

Barely a month after his retirement, he began supervising Wilkes student teachers, going into schools where they taught to evaluate their work. Ferris continued in that role until 2011, giving him a total of 56 years in education. His extensive career was recognized in November 2015, when Wilkes honored him as Educator of the Year, paying tribute to his long-standing contributions to the University Winter 2016

and the greater community. | From left, Pennsylvania state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski ’67, Jim Ferris ’56, and Robert Gardner ’67, MS ’72, Wilkes associate professor of education, celebrate at the event sponsored by the School of WILKES Education honoring Ferris as educator of the year. 21 PHOTO COURTESY EDDIE DAY PASHINSKI 22 WILKES | Winter 2016 class notes Missionaries of Charity ofCharity Missionaries well asworking withthe andmissions,of parishes as Sula, inanumber serving the DioceseofSanPedro in priest as amissionary in Honduras. Heworked two work years ofmissionary to theUnitedStatesafter Evanofski The Rev.Bernard and Texas.Louisiana of teachinginNew Jersey, school year after 44years retire attheendofthis Marcia Brinker-Dyewill the new voices inJewish music. Forward.com forbeingoneof was by namedastafffavorite Rabbi ElliotRosenbaum 1970 Wilkes gave you. you canstillpassonwhat up andwitheraway at72and that you don’t have tofold of Trustees. Hermessageis Scholarship Trust FundBoard Dr. LutherKing, Martin Jr. inthe includes membership Her community service U.S. CoastGuard Academy. centeratthe in thewriting years agoandisnow amentor Schools, Groton, Conn., 10 retired from Groton Public Andrea TemplarAckerman 1966 arts. field ofperforming September 25, 2015, inthe School HallofFameon into theMiltonHershey Royal Wetzelwas inducted 1962 Degrees Undergraduate REUNION: SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION: recently returned recently returned Hoboken CityPlanningBoard. he isacommissioneronthe resident ofHoboken, N.J., The Richard Kelly Grant. A Society, andco-chairof Illuminating Engineering York Citysectionofthe vice president oftheNew firm. Hewas recently elected York City, ofthe asprincipal consultancy basedinNew lighting an international US LightingConsultants, Caleb McKenziehasjoined Cross inPalmetto, Parish Fla. was assignedaspastorofHoly Pedro Sula. After returning, he Catholic University ofSan illnesses,terminal andthe the elderlyandadultswith Community, acenterfor Blessed Teresa ofCalcutta’s Jim Ferris ’56. Pictured after theawards ceremony are, from left,Wilkes President Patrick F. Leahy, Pawlush and board oftrustees and was president oftheWilkes University AlumniAssociation from 2007-2009. and community relations at Greenwich inGreenwich, Hospital Conn. Heserves ontheUniversity University’s homecoming football game. Pawlush retired in2013 asvice president ofpublicrelations personal andprofessional excellence. Theaward was presented onOct.3duringhalftimeofthe award recognizes accomplished athletic alumniandfriendsoftheUniversity whohave achieved George Pawlush MS’76 received the 2015 Ancestral Colonel Award from Wilkes University. The 1969 is thefirst ofthegroup to become agreat-grandmother. directions. Five oftheladiesmarriedWilkes menandEdwards education majors, although theircareers took themindifferent together at Agolinos inWest Pittston, Pa. Alloftheladieswere 1960. Thispicture that was taken inJune2015 whenthey got meeting for lunch for 55 years—since theirgraduation in (Zwiebel) MillsandBetty (George) Polanowski have been (Senderovitz) Dalmas, Lynne (Boyle) Austin, MaryEllen Connie (Yahara) Lewis, Barbara (Bachman) Edwards, Marcia 1960

involvement with theatre asa were fewer. as opportunitiesto beanactor express hisidentityand talent He says hiswork was away to recitals, concerts andlectures. for countless plays, musicals, sound, lighting andset design and technical oversight ofthe responsible for theconstruction As technical director hewas the facility anditsresources. day-to-day management of calendar alongwiththe scheduling oftheproduction Phair was responsible for the remarkable building,” spend thewholeday inatruly unlocking that front doorto going to missthemost—just Center itself. nights, andover theyears, he’s grown even fonder oftheDarte 36 years untilhisretirement inJanuary. Hestillloves opening Center’s technical andmanaging director—positions heheldfor theatre supporters. for thePerforming Artsbeingpacked withconcertgoers and he liked thethought oftheDorothy Dickson Darte Center When heattended Wilkes asamusicperformance major, Bruce Phair’73 always loved theexcitement ofopeningnight. Years at Darte Center Final Bow After 36 Bruce Phair’73 Takes company. after 23years withthe resources inJanuary 2014 vice president ofhuman in Oneida, N.Y., asthe from OneidaHealthcare John Margoretired 1973 He credits Wilkes and his As managing director, “It’s thesimplethings I’m After graduating, hereturned to hisalmamater astheDarte Tunkhannock. officer at Tyler in Memorial Hospital andchiefoperating officer at Wilkes-Barre General was assistantchiefexecutive Center. Ljungquistpreviously officer atBerwickHospital Ljungquist Diane Krolikowski 1978 PHOTO BYVICKIMAYK the Darte Center. behind the scenes in 36 years working in January 2015 after Bruce Phair’73 retired is chiefexecutive

performing strippedhimofhisshyness andinstilledconfidence. student asacatalyst for hisown coming-of-age. He said to greet each new class offirst-year studentsfor three decades. He’s enjoyed hiswork behindthescenes, includingopportunities technical director. Hewas excited to return to aplace heloved. director andmentor AlGroh ’41, whooffered himthejobas of vegetable farming. Hereceived acallfrom former managing of expressing yourself.” that, andasyou get more comfortable, you use itasameans another character,” hesays. “At first you get to hidebehind chief financialofficer. position atthehospitalwas State Hospital. Hisprevious officer atClarksSummit promoted tochiefoperating Louis ZackJr.MBA’86, was 1981 REUNION: SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION: “It’s thewholeidea ofgoing onstage andbecoming Phair returned to Wilkes to work in1980 after afew years going to miss themost—just to spendthewholeday ina truly remarkable building.” unlocking that front door “It’s thesimplethings I’m and economicbotany. evolution, plantclassification, in evolutionary biology, plant 1,800 faculty. Heteachescourses senate, representing more than of Iowa StateUniversity’s faculty academic year aspresident serving professor andalsospendingthis his 25thyear asabiology Robert Wallaceiscelebrating – ByJames Jaskolka who Iam,” hesays. say goodbye to abig partof chapter ofmy life, butI’llalso tremendously. but hewillmissWilkes wife, Karen, a 1974 graduate— and spendingtimewithhis looking forward to retirement in October 2015. Hesays heis 50th anniversary celebration during theDarte Center’s communication studies major. James Jaskolka isasenior “I get to say helloto anew Phair was recognized class notes

23 WILKES | Winter 2016 24 WILKES | Winter 2016 class notes such services more quicklythanthechain stores. vaccinations. Cooney says anindependentpharmacy canoffer day each month.Otherinnovations have includedproviding patients to pick upalloftheirrefilled prescriptions onthesame a synchronizationincluded starting program that allows we see aneed for patients, we canimplement it.” the independentsetting,” Cooney says. “We canbeflexible. If really connect withpeople in is arole shehasrelished. running acommunity pharmacy chain pharmacies are thenorm, owner. Inanera whenlarge In 2010, shebecame thesole was herfather’s juniorpartner. been at Gatti, where shefirst graduating from Wilkes has Cooney’s full-time jobsince in Montgomery’s footsteps. was apioneer.” pharmacy owner, having children andbalancing acareer. She student. I loved hearing about her being an independent were women. Iremember interacting withherasapharmacy “In pharmacy school, itwas to important have mentors who was mentored by Pauline Montgomery duringherstudentyears. the owner ofGatti Pharmacy inherhometown. for herservice to theprofession andinnovations introduced as presented her with the Pauline Montgomery Leadership Award with adecade orlessofexperience. In2015, theassociation named oneoftheTen UnderTen, recognizing top pharmacists the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. In2014, shewas one ofthestate’s top pharmacists, earning two honors from doctor ofpharmacy degree from Wilkes, she’s been lauded as people’s lives. Now, littlemore thanadecade after earning her and anappreciation for therole that apharmacist canplay in pharmacist. Ihave asimilarpersonality to my Dad’s.” Cooney recalls. “Ihave three siblings, butnonebecame a life’s work. to develop anaffinity for theprofession that hasbecome her Her father isapharmacist. Accompanying himto work ledher Cooney PharmD’04 duringheryears growing upinIndiana,Pa. Family andpharmacy were synonymous for Stephanie Smith Earns Honors asCommunity Pharmacist Stephanie SmithCooney PharmD’04 Introducing innovations hasbeen apriority. These have “We have that ability to In many ways, she’s followed The second award isespecially meaningful to Cooney, who She says thesimilaritiesincludeanentrepreneurial bent “Ialways thought it was cool to go to work with my Dad,” need for patients, we “We have that ability setting.... Ifwe see a can implementit.” to really connect the independent with people in – ByVickiMayk MFA ’13 not being indispensable. It sets you up for advancing your career.” Cooney says of the move. “I’m a really big believer in an owner software solutions for pharmacists’ clinicaldocumentation. involved inatech start-up, RxHealth Connect, whichdevelops Center. Cooney now ismanaging Gatti remotely andisalso emergency medicine resident program at Geisinger Medical recently accepted program thejobofassistant director ofthe Wilkes andhismedicaldegree at Jefferson MedicalSchool, 4 andMaven, 2.Rob, whoearned adegree inbiology from Dr. Rob Cooney ’01, andtheirthree children, Adelay, 6, Foster, residency program. of Pittsburgh SchoolofPharmacy’s community practice practice rotations. Inaddition,Gatti isasite for theUniversity with studentsspendingtimeat Gatti for theiradvanced Wilkes, DuquesneUniversity andtheUniversity ofPittsburgh, education. Sheisapreceptor for pharmacy studentsfrom “It’s very muchchanged therole that Ihave inthepharmacy,” Cooney recently relocated to Danville, Pa., with her husband Cooney also hasearned plaudits for hersupport ofpharmacy Pharmacists Association for her work as owner of Gatti honored with two awards Stephanie Smith Cooney Pharmacy in Indiana, Pa. from the Pennsylvania PharmD ’04 has been PHOTO COURTESY GATTI PHARMACY.

children, Corey and Abbey. husband, Jeffrey, andhastwo in Edenton, N.C., withher in healthsciences. Shelives University with adoctorate from Nova Southeastern June 2015shegraduated in Greenville, N.C. In Vidant MedicalCenter line administratorfor radiology systemservice Breznitsky isthe Sandra J.(Sackrison) 1990 aide.nurses health care asacertified and isemployed inhome Mountain SoapCompany, for hercompany, Back makes skincare products administrator.bride The and works asadatabase computer sciencegraduate Dallas, Pa. The groomisa on theirproperty in 11 inabackyard ceremony onJulyLee were married Gus PanagakosandLissa 1988 Honesdale, Pa. City Anesthesia, allin CenterandMaple Surgery CEO ofMountainLaurel director, president and as well asthemedical Gastroenterology Associates and CEOofNortheastern Dime Bank. Heispresident the board ofdirectorsat David D.Reynoldsjoined 1986 REUNION: SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION: downtown Wilkes-Barre. Street in Northampton the Alpine Delion West her husband, Sal, opened Mantione MBA’98and Ann MarieKochuba- 1995 Pennsylvania onDec. 21, 2014. 2014, andasecondonein one inGhanaon Aug. 30, two wedding ceremonies: Ghana. The couple enjoyed Samuel Bentumof married Bonnee BreeseBentum quality initiatives. as project managerof Association ofPennsylvania Hospital &Healthsystem Lisa Leskojoinedthe 1992 Dallas, Pa. house. They marked theoccasion by donation to makingacharitable BlueChipAnimalRefuge of Peter serving asCEO. Thecouple andtheirteam celebrated withaNov. 12ribboncutting andopen that ithasnot shared space withanother company. Peter andJudyare theowners ofthefirm,with in aVictorian buildinginWyoming, Pa. Itisthefirst timesince the company was founded in 1998 Peter ’81 andJudyBarnick Steve ’81 relocated theircompany, Ideaworks Marketing, to anew home 1981 education applications. emphasis onmedicaland applications withan millwork andshelving business focusesoncustom business. The furniture decades inthecommercial LLC, afternearlytwo business, MadGirlDesigns theirownrecently started Tammy Cyprich’97 Henry Biscoandhiswife Soaps andLotionsInc. founder ofEmma’s Friends of Commerce. Sheisthe Chamber the TamaquaArea ofthe Businessperson Year by Elko was named LynnMarie (Rosencrance)

Philadelphia. House life atInternational associate director ofresident Law. Beachemserves asthe Stetson University Collegeof in HigherEducationand Administrators Student Affairs sponsored by NASPA— was heldin Tampa, Fla., and in June 2015. The training law andpolicy student affairs IV Michael T.Beachem, 1998 Society.Optometric PennsylvaniaNortheastern and Association Optometric Association, Pennsylvania of the Optometric American andamember optometrist care practice. Sheisan the Lakeside Vision eye Helen Chandohajoined received in acertificate class notes 25 WILKES | Winter 2016 26 WILKES | Winter 2016 class notes Talarico: andSuch. Stories consulting company, Donna storytelling/marketing and freelance writing In May, shelauncheda Women inthe Oct.Arts 17. ConferenceLeadership for College of andDesign’sArt brandingatMoorepersonal and presented asessionon Publish Conference Oct. 10, Stories’ 2015Pushto dating sessionatPhiladelphia panel andeditorspeed- also was ofanonfiction part Conference inSeptember. She PennsylvaniaNortheast Blog of theworkshop atthe2015 versionpresented ashorter conference committee. She Talarico alsoserved onthe presenting atthisevent. her fifthconsecutive year Milwaukee,in was Wis. This annual conference inOctober Education WebProfessionals Words, Words” attheHigher called “Words,workshop ’10 Donna TalaricoMFA 2000 Raleigh, N.C. illchildren in for terminally hospice andpalliative care LifeCare: Kids, providing for Transitions director industry. Heishospicemedical competency inthehospice life by displaying professional to improving thequalityof recognized forhiscommitment wasBoard. Thompson Medical Director Certification credential from theHospice medical director certified M.D., Christopher Thompson, 1999 presented anintensive earned the hospice thehospice earned

in Wilkes-Barre. Hudson. The couplereside by Koulik in OilService Pa. The groomisemployed Mobility Products in Exeter, Pa. works atPride The bride childhood homeinHudson, ceremony atthebride’s inanoutdoor were married Charles Edward Koulik Jr. Kristin AnnPisanoand 2007 429 Records. campaigns forSavoy Jazz and she ranmarketing andretail event management. Previously relations andretailartist and management, socialmedia, relations teaminproduct as amemberoftheirclient new positionat The Orchard Jennifer Bonitaaccepteda 2005 municipal engineering. design, planningand include landdevelopment engineer. Hisresponsibilities Reuther+Bowen asacivil consultingfirm engineering Tom Voglinojoinedthe 2004 resideBergers inExeter, Pa. Board ofDirectors. The University AlumniAssociation a memberofthe Wilkes EDM Inc.Americas and director ofoperationsfor Lee Berger, age3. Bergeris Berger joinsbrother Jackson 3, 2015. Luke Matthew on son totheirfamily Aug. wife, Michelle, welcomed a Matthew Bergerandhis 2002

Undergraduate Degrees 2000. Degrees Undergraduate Donna Talarico MFA –See 2010 1995. Degrees Undergraduate Mantione MBA–See Ann MarieKochuba- 1998 to live inSpainlastFebruary. Allentown, Pa. Shereturned and Spanishteacherfrom English asasecondlanguage Lisa RufoMSisaretired 1991 1969. Degrees Undergraduate George Pawlush–See 1976 Degrees Graduate the country. in largest policedepartment Police Department, thefourth was hired by thePhiladelphia Monmouth University. He from in homelandsecurity justice withaconcentration master’s incriminal degree Angelo Trentoreceived his 2013 Watch Hill, R.I. Ryan DannonSept. 12in Grayson Izard-Dannmarried 2009 on Nov. 13, 2015. welcomed theirson, Chase, her husband, Daniel, Sabrina Garnettand REUNION: SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION: 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION:

Association ofRealtors. Greater Wilkes-Barre the agency. Shebelongsto Classic Properties real estate the Kingstonofficeof Julie CoteMBAjoined 2015 last two years. for theconference forthe board member advisory Summit. Hewas an of theEdu Web Digital been namedchairperson Chris BarrowsMShas 2012 Totowa, N.J. Washington Park Schoolin of was namedprincipal Michael O’Brien MS University. Speak,” atBinghamton “Waiting fortheDeadto his doctoraldissertation, successfully defended Brian FanelliMFA counties, Pa. andLackawannain Luzerne HealthSystem Integrated works at Allied Services pharmacy.in geriatric She hercertification earned Jillian DwyerPharmD 2011 REUNION: SEPT. 30 – OCT. 2 –OCT. 30 SEPT. REUNION:

class notes

In Memoriam

1940 1953 1960 1968 George W. Bierly, of Sweet Elaine (Bogan) Law, Augusta, Nicholas N. Chirico, Anthony A. Angeli, Old Valley, Pa., died July 6, 2015. Ga., died Aug. 12, 2015. She Richland Township, Pa., died Forge, Pa., died May 23, He was an instructor and a worked as a supervisory Oct. 19, 2013. He served with 2015. He was a U.S. Navy director at Penn State Wilkes- medical social worker with the U.S. Coast Guard during veteran of World War II, a Barre. He served in the U.S. the Veterans Administration in the Korean War, and worked as music teacher at the Mid Army during World War II. Augusta. a pharmaceutical representative Valley School District, and a for Ciba-Geigy until 1990. lifelong musician. 1944 Stephen Thorpe, Dallas, Pa., Helen M. (Janoski) Parker, died Aug. 23, 2015. He served Albert Robert Swithers, John “Tom” Engle, Sur ry, Dallas, Pa., died Sept. 12, in the U.S. Navy during Newburg, N.Y., died Oct. 27, Maine, died on July 8, 2015. 2015. After working as a lab the Korean War, and taught 2015. He was a U.S. Navy technician post-graduation, elementary and middle school veteran during the Korean Myrna L. (Brodbeck) her children became her in Old Bridge, N.J. War and a retired guidance Schaefer, Hughestown, main focus. She served counselor at the Monroe Pa., died July 31, 2015. She terms as president of the 1954 Woodbury School District in taught English at Elmer Dallas Women’s Club and Carl Karassik, Wilkes-Barre, Orange County, N.Y. L. Meyers High School, the Scranton Canoe Club’s died on Sept. 8, 2015. and served as supervisor of Women’s Association. 1961 English for the Wilkes-Barre 1956 Walter H. Buzby, Elkton, School District for 11 years 1949 Elizabeth “Betsy” (Bretz) Md., died Jan. 17, 2015. A before retiring in 2004. Joseph S. Olesky, Wyoming, Lloyd, Birmingham, Ala., died veteran of the U.S. Army, Pa., died Sept. 21, 2015. He Sept. 25, 2015. Buzby worked for DuPont Co. Victor J. Nardone, Plains served with the U.S. Air as a purchasing agent and fleet Township, Pa., died Aug. 4, Force during World War II Carl J. Potoski, Plymouth, manager in Delaware. 2015. Nardone worked as an and later taught at Wyoming Pa., died Oct. 31, 2015. He aerospace engineer for RCA Area schools before becoming was a salesman for Golden Alfred J. Pello, Pittston, Pa., Aerospace in Mountain district superintendent. Quality Ice Cream and Del died Nov. 3, 2015. He was a Top, Pa., for over 40 years. Merchandising for 25 years. member of the U.S. Army and After retiring, he worked 1951 worked as a certified public for the Mohegan Sun Arena. George Paul Heffernan, 1959 accountant in private practice He was a founder of the Kingston, Pa., died Oct. 30, David W. Gower Sr., for more than 35 years. Plains Township Volunteer 2015. He taught social studies Athens, Pa., died Aug. 22, Ambulance Association at Toms River High School 2014. He was a veteran of the 1963 and also helped establish North in Toms River, N.J., U.S. Navy and served during Nicholas L. Alesandro, the Luzerne County EMT where he retired in 1990. He the Korean War. Gower was a Albany, N.Y., died Aug. Paramedic Training Program. was a member of both the teacher and principal at Athens 3, 2015. He was a career Ocean County and Luzerne Area Schools. stockbroker and member of 1969 County historical societies. the U.S. National Guard. Roland D. Sampiero, Joseph J. Martin, Naples, Wilkes-Barre, died Oct. 9, 1952 Fla., died Aug. 3, 2015. He 1966 2015. He was a food and Robert D. Morris, Bryn was a self-employed computer Richard Hain Klick, Dallas, beverage executive in the Mawr, Pa., died Sept. 9, 2015. consultant and a U.S. Air Force Pa., died Aug. 16, 2015. He hotel industry in Miami, Fla. He was the chief financial veteran of the Korean War. was a member of the National officer of the space systems Guard military police and Winter 2016 division at General Electric. worked as an insurance agent | for Wilson H. Flock Insurance

Inc., Wyoming, since 1991. WILKES

27 class notes

1973 1977 1991 2013 Paul Edward Niezgoda, Peggy A. (O’Brien) Burke, Daniel Josh Reposh, Allison Jeanette Schenke, Shavertown, Pa., died Sept. Mountain Top, Pa., died Sept. Bear Creek, Pa., died Oct. 21, Tannersville, Pa., died Nov. 13, 2015. He was a doctor at 4, 2015. She was a teacher in 2015. He was a consultant 1, 2015. She worked as a Geisinger Wyoming Valley and the Crestwood School District for Associated Wholesale fiscal assistant at Fitzmaurice also served as chairman of the for 21 years and taught at Grocers Inc. Community Services. Jackson Township Planning Rice and Fairview elementary Commission. schools. 1992 Friends of Anne E. Grober, Wyoming, Thomas A. Cebula, Roland 1979 Pa., died July 21, 2015. She Wilkes Park, Md., died Aug. 19, 2015. Diane M. (Zavislak) worked as a bookkeeper at Margaret “Marge” He was a microbiologist and Adanosky, Trucksville, Pa., Montrose Auto Parts, was (Dombroski) Schmidt, Dallas, the chief science officer for died April 19, 2014. secretary of the Wyoming Area Pa., died July 6, 2015. She had research company CosmosID, Softball Parents Association a 39-year career in banking, and also worked as a visiting 1982 and volunteered with several working for Second National professor at Johns Hopkins Penny (Schafer) Kaminski, community organizations. Bank, First Eastern Bank and University and the University White Haven, Pa., died Aug. 8, PNC, retiring in 1990. She of Maryland’s Institute for 2015. She was a kindergarten 1997 was the wife of the late Rollie Genome Sciences. teacher for the Weatherly Area David Ferree Jenkins, Schmidt, who coached the School District. Scranton, Pa., died Nov. 5, Wilkes University football 1975 2015. He was the musical team from 1961 to 1982. She Anne Caroline (Tracy) 1985 director of theater and an referred to the members of her Patsiokas, Coral Springs, Fla., John Louis Kachurick, Dallas, assistant professor at the husband’s teams as “her boys.” died on Aug. 28, 2015. Pa., died Oct. 17, 2015. He was Brind School of Theater Arts a Korean War veteran of the at the University of the Arts 1976 U.S. Army and was one of the in Philadelphia. A classically Marilyn Mitros, of Arlington, founders of the Citizens’ Voice. trained pianist, he played in Va., died July 9, 2015. She was He was an associate professor 49 states and several foreign a teacher at Corpus Christi of business and organizational countries. School in Falls Church, Va. management at Misericordia University.

Psychology Department Receives Bequest From D. Keith Farrell '72 The estate of the late D. Keith Farrell ’72 donated educational Farrell, a resident of Wilkes-Barre, died in May 2013, and was materials to the Wilkes University psychology department. one of Pennsylvania’s first certified drug and alcohol counselors. More than 1,000 books, journals and articles were contributed, He worked in private practice in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton including some rare books by Dr. Ellis Raub, who pioneered and was founder and director of the Forensic Assessment the development of rational emotive behavioral therapy. Other and Counseling Unit at the Luzerne County Correctional donated materials include issues of the Journal of Rational- Facility. Farrell was a certified substance abuse professional. Emotive Therapy and the Journal of Cognitive Behavioral He was the program director for the Pennsylvania Institute for Therapy, psychological testing materials and educational Rational Emotive Therapy and a Fellow and certified supervisor

Winter 2016 materials amassed over Farrell’s 40 years of practice as a associate with the Albert Ellis Institute in New York. | psychologist. The donation was made by Farrell’s wife, MaryLee Brennan Farrell. WILKES

28 - SAVE THE DATE - 6 p.m. • Saturday, June 4, 2016 Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre

2016 PRESIDENT’S MEDAL RECIPIENTS Clayton ’49 and Theresa Karambelas

For sponsorships, advertisements, or ticket information, please contact Lisa Everitt-Ensley at [email protected] or (570) 408-4137 or visit www.wilkes.edu/foundersgala WILKES UNIVERSITY Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766

calendar of events

February 1–March 16 “Backstage Pass: Baron Wolman and the Early Years of Rolling Stone,” Sordoni Art Gallery 10 “Strategic Planning,” Family Business Alliance Monthly Breakfast Series, 8:30 a.m., ballroom, Henry Student Center 19-27 Dogfight, the Musical, Wilkes University Theatre, 8 p.m., Feb. 19, 20, 26 and 27; 2 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28, Darte Center 20 Creative Writing Workshop, “Strong and Independent Women Protagonists,” 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kirby Hall 23 Non-fiction writer Maggie Messitt, Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series, 7 p.m., Kirby Hall March 5 Spring Break Begins 9 “Getting Extraordinary Results from Ordinary People,” Family Business Alliance Monthly Breakfast Series, 8:30 a.m., ballroom, Henry Student Center 14 Classes resume 16 Mary Fisher, “Free the Entrepreneur for the Global Good,” Allan P. Kirby Lecture in Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, 7:30 p.m., Darte Center 19 VIP Day for admitted students, various campus locations, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 22 Novelist Andrew Krivak, Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series, 7 p.m., Kirby Hall April 13 “Leadership and Legacy in the Family Firm,” Family Business Alliance Monthly Breakfast Series, 8:30 a.m., ballroom, Henry Student Center 13 Poet Shelley Puhak, Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series, 7 p.m., Kirby Hall 14 Policies Related to Marcellus Shale, panel discussion, 4 p.m., Ballroom, Henry Student Center 14-17 Twelfth Night, Wilkes University Theatre, 8 p.m., April 14, 15, 16; 2 p.m., April 17 May 1 Ron Prosor, “Israel and the Evolving Frontline of a Disintegrating Middle East: A Guided Tour,” Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities, 7:30 p.m., Darte Center 4 Challenger Sales Mini Workshop, Family Business Alliance Monthly Breakfast Series, 8:30 a.m., ballroom, Henry Student Center 21 Spring Commencement, Marts Center

PHOTO BY EARL AND SEDOR PHOTOGRAPHIC

For details on times and locations, check www.wilkes.edu and www.wilkes.edu/alumni or phone (800) WILKES-U.