M858(cover).qxp:M858(cover) 10/13/09 3:33 PM Page 1 Behind the Scenes PAID Allentown, PA Permit No. 759 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Riding the Storm Riding the Storm For seven years in a row, the College received more than 4,000 applications. Records have been set in 11 of the last 14 years. The 2013 class came in on target at 580 strong. Ahead of theClass Each and Every Year The mission of the admission team at Muhlenberg is to treat students better in every encounter than any of our competitors. This operational value guides all interactions, includ- ing visits with students at high schools to share informa- tion about Muhlenberg; hosting students on campus for a tour, an interview, an information session, a day or an overnight visit; processing students’ applications with care Melissa Falk ’92 Associate Dean and diligence; and counseling Admission and Financial Aid and reassuring students about their admission decisions and the financial aid process. Even in the best demographic and economic conditions, the operational objectives are challenging to 2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009 ANNUAL accomplish, and this year proved to be one of the most difficult to date. Despite this, the admission and financial aid staff stayed the course and continued to do what we do best – build relationships with students. Admissions staff did this by answering phones and e-mails positively and personally (no automated system here), by following up with personal phone calls, e-mails and handwritten notes to many prospective students and by always welcoming our campus visitors with upbeat energy and helpful information. And even when it seemed Riding Riding the Storm that there simply wasn’t enough time, the team found Riding the Storm more time in the week to accomplish its work (that’s what weekends are for). The admissions staff accomplished all of this (and more) with laughter and good cheer. It’s heartening to work with colleagues who care deeply about 2008-2009 Annual Report Muhlenberg, the work that they do and the students 2400 West Chew Street Allentown PA 18104-5586 www.muhlenberg.edu for whom they do it. That can-do attitude and energy are what helps Muhlenberg succeed even when times get tough. M858(cover).qxp:M858(cover) 10/16/09 8:44 AM Page 2 Table of Contents 37 Admissions Salute Leadership Message . 1 President’s Staff . 4 Parents Council Alumni Board Academics . 5 Gregg P’12 and Stacey H. Bacchieri P’12 Gregory T. Adams ’05 Avi P’12 and Lynn Barbasch P’12 Robert Buzzard ’62 The Wescoe School. 8 John A. P’11 and Betsy S. Baron P’11 Linda M. Cenci ’75, P’06 Books, Awards & Scholarships . 10 Tashof Bernton P’11 and Debrah Cummins ’84 Sharon T. Boyd Bernton P’11 Edward M. Davis, Jr. ’60 Student Life. 12 Mason N. P’11 and MaryAnn Carter P’11 Rudolph A. Favocci, Jr.’79, P’12 Religious Life . 14 William A. P’12 and Sharon C. Crist P’12 Sherry L. Fazio ’99 Gary S. P’10 and Barbara S. Davis P’10 Brian Fishbone ’98 Social Sciences . 16 Bruce W. DiStefano P’12 and Thomas G. Gasparetti ’03 Natural Sciences. 17 Sarah Elmendorf P’12 Sharon L. Peifer Gleichmann ’89 Muhlenberg Green . 18 Alan M. P’12 and Marjorie Dubov P’12 Elizabeth R. Hamilton ’06 Ethan C. P’11 and Carol C. Eldon P’11 Michael B. Krouse ’84 Athletics. 20 Rudolph A. Favocci, Jr. ’79, P’12 and Louis R. Lessig ’93 Community Service . 22 Sherin Favocci P’12 Harry J. Lessig ’67, P’93, P’00, P’01, P’03 William E. Grau P’09 and Laura Berton Grau P’09 Jennifer A. McKee ’02 Music & Fine Art. 23 Hunt C. Helm P’11 and Kay E. Stewart P’11 Eileen Collins Neri ’87 Theatre & Dance . 24 Peter D. P’07, P’09, P’11 and David J. Nowack ’67 Janet B. Hershman P’07, P’09, P’11 Carl S. Oplinger ’58 Admission & Financial Aid . 26 Jeffrey S. Hoffman P’10 and Susan M. Rhoads-Procina ’03 Development & Alumni Relations. 28 Nancy Prentis Hoffman P’10 Todd Scott Rothman ’97 Public Relations . 30 Blake P’12 and Elizabeth Hornick P’12 Jon D. Schwartz ’02 Mark S. Glassman P’11 and Wendy C. Jacobs P’11 Randi E. Schweriner ’87 Financial Report. 32 David P’12 and Linda Jefferson P’12 Jody L. Seligman ’04 Leading the Way. 36 Ann E. Juster P’12 Lauren M. Shanahan ’87 Peter P’12 and Eileen Keeler P’12 Carole M. Silvoy’91 Behind the Scenes . flap Glenn R. P’02, P’10 and Amy Kessler P’02, P’10 Jennifer L. Van Woert Tran ’93 Michael J. P’11 and Roseanne Koretsky P’11 Jason A. Weiss ’98 About the Cover Marc B. P’12 and Eleanor Kramer P’12 Nicole H. Goscilo Wentz ’98 Jeffrey A. P’10, P’12 and Alice C. Levy P’10, P’12 Muhlenberg College rides out the current economic storm by staying focused on balancing financial liquidity Michael E. Lewis P’11 and Jill Roberts-Lewis P’11 with delivering an excellent education to students. The College’s administration, faculty and staff have contin- Harvey Litt P’09 and Audri Durchslag-Litt P’09 ued their commitment in this challenging economic climate to value-added academic offerings, strategic Beatrice O’Donnell P’10 and budgeting, sustainable programs and best operational practices. Kevin Canavan P’10 Jay H. Oyer P’11 and Amy H. Factor-Oyer P’11 Peter R. P’11 and Andrea Porrino P’11 Photo Credits Ira Stanley ’71, P’12 and Paula Porter P’12 John A. P’09 and Kathleen A. Powell P’09 Amico Studios, Kenneth Ek, Peter Finger, Alec Helm, Bill Johnson, William Keller, Jr., Paul Pearson, William M. P’11 and Kim I. Pressman P’11 Carolyn Brown Ray, Denise Sanchez, Leslie Schaffer ’09, Snavely Associates, Matthew Wright Thomas K. P’12 and Lisa M. Ritter P’12 Gilbert L. P’10 and Susan Rudolph P’10 The photographs on the front cover, page three and four have been digitally altered. Steven E. P’12 and Sharon Saunders P’12 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS STATEMENT Christopher E. P’09 and Gail Scudellari P’09 Muhlenberg College saved the following Andrew R. P’12 and Barbara A. Singer P’12 Contact Information resources by using Sappi Flo (FSC), manufactured with 10% post-consumer waste. Jeffrey N. P’10 and Gretchen Trimble P’10 You can reach Muhlenberg College in several ways. 12 fully grown trees Robert E. P’11 and Kimberly A. Weinberg P’11 5,353 gallons of water Lawrence Wurzel P’11 and Elaine Gnessin P’11 By phone: 484-664-3230 Letters may be addressed to: 4 million BTUs of energy By fax: 484-664-3477 Muhlenberg College 325 lbs. of solid waste 1,111 lbs. of greenhouse gases http://twitter.com/muhlenberg Public Relations Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. For more information visit http://www.papercalculator.org. In Appreciation www.muhlenberg.edu 2400 West Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104-5586 Staff pictured: Dina Kovats- Kim Stolarik Bernat Cynthia Amaya Sally Slifkin Judy Kuncio 2008-2009 Honorary Degree Recipients Chairman’s Awards President’s Awards Susan Collier Linda Stephen 2005-2009 2005-2009 Sonya Martinez- Linda Worman Anne Davis Hunsicker © 2009 Muhlenberg College. All rights reserved. Alyssa Ellowitch Greg Mitton Not pictured: Melissa Falk Amy Morse Chris Bissinger Chandra Gossai Megan Patruno Romie Missmer Sandy Hoch Laura Rasmussen Kim Myerson Chris Hooker- Bonnie Reabold Haring Danielle Radomski Becky Russell 2009: College Democrats Nicole Kelman Gilbert “Gil” Cates Kathleen A. McGinty Muhammad Ali Galway Kinnell 2009: Cynthia Amaya and Republicans American film director and Former Pennsylvania Secretary Three-time world heavyweight Celebrated American poet and 2008: Rejoice! The Muhlenberg Gospel Choir television producer, best of the Department of boxing champion, North Pulitzer Prize winner 2008: Deborah Kipp 2007: College Tour Guides During the ’08-’09 application cycle, the Admission and Financial Aid staff processed known for producing the Environmental Protection; American Boxing Federation 2007: Sam Beidleman 2006: EnAct, the Environmental Action Team 71,010 pieces of paper for student applications, responded to 24,095 e-mails, visited White House Council, Champion and Olympic gold 2006: Patricia Mittleman annual Academy Award shows 2005: SHARE, Students Have A Real Effect 601 high schools and hosted 8,002 prospective students for on-campus visits. Environmental Quality medalist 2005: Valerie Lane M858.qxp:M858 10/13/09 3:43 PM Page 1 Leadership Message 1 Riding the Storm “Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail, And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale!” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Old Ironsides It was a dark and stormy night. I’ve always wanted to start an essay that way, but not in these circumstances! Unfortunately, this particular dark and stormy night lasted for months, and while at this writing dawn seems to be on the horizon, it is not entirely clear that the long night is over. The clouds were gathering throughout last year and loomed darker as the summer of 2008 drew to a close. By early fall, the tempest had reached full force. Financial markets were in free fall. Investment firms were failing, being restructured or liquidated. The credit markets froze and the banking system seemed close to paralysis. Millions of jobs were lost. Home equity tanked and mortgage foreclosures surged. Major corpo- rations such as General Motors and Chrysler staggered toward bankruptcy.