1 15 1 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/8b96a0c2506d8f23409dc05d0e0d0fed.pdf f7ef3c627e5445dcca31665a0f1ce56c PDF Text Text ▼ wiLKESuniverse The voice of Wilkes University Alumni FALL200G J Watching the World • o 0 . o ■ o ♦ ■ o . J ■*•01 ♦ • « . J FRED EDRICH '73 SERVES AS ^ORB N POLICY EXP«rAND NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST H rar//fox ‘‘^ws W w f| •TEE TO FINAL DETAILS OF OVERDUE S3&5 E • “/as l SPENC SO E s _____ SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY NO SYMPATHY FOR SADDAM LIVE I �wiLKESuniverse Building a Great Wilkes BY DR.TIM GILMOUR, WILKES UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT T'S HARDTO BELIEVE, BUT I’M ENTERING MY SIXTH YEAR AS PRESIDENT OF WILKES University. And it has been such an honor and pleasure to serve. When 1 accepted the presidency, 1 knew Wilkes was unique. It was unique because of its commitment to students and its active involvement in the gion’s development. My thought at the time — and even more so today__is that these are the very qualities that die colleges of the future must possess. Building on these qualities over the past five years, we have become an even stronger institution. With the help of the entire university community, we have defined mentoring as the way we connect with and challenge our students, grown our enrollments by 30 percent, developed exciting new academic programs, begun to revitalize the campus, provided more competitive compensation and strengthened our finances — all things to be celebrated. But as our journey to greater strength has progressed, there has been a surpris­ ing but significant turn of events. Without explicitly planning it, we have shifted from being an institution that was working hard to be very good to one that has the potential to be truly great. But to be great is even harder work and it involves significant change. The university community is rising to the challenge, but we are talking about change and it is both threatening and difficult. As one trustee recently said to me, “1 admire your ambitions for Wilkes, but I’m not sure every­ one has the faith in Wilkes you do.” I responded, “That’s my challenge — to help as many as I can see the enormous opportunities before Wilkes and to believe we can realize them.” I know building a great Wilkes University will not be easy. But I also know that the opportunities before us far outweigh any risks we might face. We will need the help of our alumni — your talent, time and treasure — more than ever. As heartening as the news about Wilkes is the progress in Wilkes-Barre. My fitness program centers on walking around the campus and town. Lately, I’ve been feeling like a sidewalk superintendent to an awakening city. It is exhilarat­ ing. Its not just the projects about to be completed or underway — the new 14 screen theatre, the renovation of the Sterling Hotel, the development of the river­ front, the installation of new streetlights, or the plans of local retailers to expand or upgrade their establishments. It's the significant shift in tone and attitude among those with whom 1 work. There is a growing sense that our city will soon become a lovely, artsy college town on the Susquehanna. I have to tell you it’s fun to walk around campus and town and feel this sense of optimism and possibility. And it’s even more inspiring to have the role 1 have been dealt in all of this. Come to Homecoming this fall and see it all — you so proud of your alma mater, nestled in a great, reawakening city and in the process of defining a vital role for itself in the 21st century. L! I FALL 2006 WILKES UNIVERSITY President Dr. Tim Gilmour Features VP for Development Martin Williams UNIVERSE EDITORIAL STAFF Cover Story: Executive Director, Marketing Communications Jack Chielli 10 Foreign policy expert Fred Gedrich ’73 discusses world affairs Associate Director, Marketing Communications Christine (Tondrick) Seitzinger ’98 Spotlight: Sports Editor John Seitzinger 14 eMentoring the next generation of students Contributing Writers Dr. Harold Cox Dr. Kyle Kreider Erin Sweeney FM'07 Cindy Taren M1’’07 Julie Uehara Emily Vincent 16 The case of the missing class ring Sections Layout/Design Quest Fore ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF 2 Association News Executive Director Sandra Sarno Carroll 4 Development News Associate Director Michelle Diskin ‘95 5 Sports Alumni Services Manager Nancy A. Weeks ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OFFICERS President Colleen Gries Gallagher '81 6 On Campus 18 Class Notes First Vice President George Pawlush '69 Second Vice President Terrence Casey '82 Historian John Pullo'82 Secretary Beth Danner '02 Photography Earl & Sedor Photographic Mark Golaszewski Howard Korn Curtis Salonick Photography Michael PTouey Printing Payne Printery, Inc. FALL 2006 Wilkes Umvvisity r‘»“ independent institution of tugher educai on dcd.cjtcd Io OMdemlc and mtelectual iicc'cric m th<? i tx-.ii erta sciences, u-id |uoto»cmalpityiums The un«ittv PCvJi’'• '<’• •.•.»>.nti with tne c*pciH'iro and education nect-it■ v lor cateer and w. ecta’i development >i » v.-.”i as Ku pertonal giowtti. c r..km a • uiv. o v end civi: ir-.porv.>b,iiry and c.ncouiay? j da atudenin to we iw the opporiunitien and challenges ul a divaiwt and coni nu-a’i du'ht .*tj writl Ihn ih’.vci :ity unnsrrees Iho ttouihunvf tttong student be_•'ty uuvr.ti t r in ail its F't'J'iinr.. nttracts <n-d tela iv. t 'iv.tar.ding tv.’p'e a «vety ncgmcntol It’U uniwf-ty an-J ••■-.un-.. ntpmt o'I • ,t i> . >iv: ..i.ty irAi.'lvoivM iin.l indiy dual iv ,r .’. t w.thn the ent to u.vv n. it On the cover: Fil’d Gedrieh 73. Photo by Howurd Korn. �ASSOCIATIONneWS ASSOCIATIONneWS Construction is almost completeo “Now all we need are the residents.” Two Extraordinary Brothers Honored at Annual Alumni Scholarship Awards Dinner The annual Alumni Scholarship Award Dinner took place on April 29. 2006. honoring Ronald Tremayne '58 and William Tremayne '57. The ballroom at the Henry Student Center was packed with many friends, family and community members who came out to celebrate the momentous occasion. The program featured a tribute to all the hard work and generosity the Tremaynes have shown to Wilkes over the years. Terrance Casey '82, second vice president of the Alumni Association, was the master of ceremonies. Speaking on behalf of the brothers were Anthony S. Cicatiello and Wilkes University Vice President Paul Adams ’77. Ron and Bill also spoke to the audience about their love for Wilkes, why they think it is so important to give back to the university and how thankful and honored they were to receive this prestigious award. The alumni scholarship recipient for the second consecutive year * nn • / — ( ph j.H KK ■ EMZ Left to Right: Colleen Gallagher '81, Paul Sollazzo '89,, Dr. Mark Stine, Andrea Scarantino '08, Scott Ferguson '04 and guest, Sandra Sarno Carroll, D< )oug Carroll, Jodi Viscomi '05,Tara Smith '04, Melissa Maybe '05, Frania Hollaway '76 was James Bocchichio ’08, who began the evening by talking about the opportunity the scholarship has afforded him and his family. He spoke of the inspiration he had received from those who believed in him and his desire to give back to others in the future. The schol­ arship has enabled him to continue his many volunteer activities while a full-time student. The 2006 Scholarship Committee was chaired by former mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Lee Namey ’68, and supported by committee member Patrick Burke ’69. Wilkes Visits New Jersey Alumni On May 11, 2006, the Wilkes alumni and development staff and New Jersey-area alumni came together at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany, N.J. Over food and drinks, attendees took the time to reminisce about the good times they shared at Wilkes. Guest speaker for the event was Dr. Mark Stine, associate professor and chair of the communication studies department, who shared information about the importance of internships and the benefits of studying abroad. Alumni Association President Colleen Gallagher ’81 presented an overview of where the Alumni Association is headed. If you would like to get involved at Newjersey networking session or have an idea of an event you think would be fun, please e-mail alumni@wilkes.edu. We look forward to seeing you next time! Loft to Right: RonTremayno '58, Dr.Tini Gilmour and BillTremayno '57 Wilkes Launches Online Community More than 55 percent of all Wilkes alumni have graduated since the inception of the Internet. Now, the Alumni Association is giving you an interactive way to support your natural networking inclinations online. The Colonel Connection is a great way to find classmates and friends, network, post jobs or resumes, get involved in mentoring or organize a reunion. If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a postcard complete with instructions on how to log on and register. The first 100 people to update their profiles will be entered in a drawing for cool Wilkes stuff. The Colonel Connection received its name thanks to alumni who participated in a naming contest. Michael Seeherman ’90 of Wyndmoor, Pa., took the grand prize of an iPod Shuffle when his entry came in almost exactly 24 hours before that of the runner-up, Debbie Brandt ’02. Brandt, who resides in Hanson, Mass., received a prize package with Alumni Association merchandise. Co to: community.wilkes.edu An online community exclusively for Wilkex alumni that let> youi • Find jour friends. • Shire youf news. • Add elm notei. • Create a photo ja’Jery. Travel Opportunities With the Alumni Association It's not too late to join the Alumni Association on these exciting trips abroad: Wilkes University Presents an Alpine Christinas! Departure Date: Nov. 30, 2006 7 clays '.vww.collettevacalions.com/groupAVilkes/alpine.cfm Celebrate the holiday season with the Wilkes University Alumni Association, alpine-style. Spend six nights in the heart of Austria and explore the Christmas markets of Austria and southern Bavaria, Germany. The Alps provide a picture-postcard setting for holiday travel through Europe’s winter wonderland. This unique trip offers all the advantages of group travel plus the freedom to pursue personal interests - shopping, sightseeing and dining. Cost is SI,950 based on double occupancy and includes trip insurance and taxes. A S250 deposit is required to reserve your spot. Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Beijing City Stay Departure Date: March 13, 2007 8 days www.collettevacations.com/group/ Wilkes/china.cfm Next year, join the Alumni Association on a fascinating trip to Beijing, China, home to such historic structures as the Forbidden City, the elegant Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square. Become acquainted with this fabled spot and learn about the spirit and history of the Chinese culture. This one-of-a-kind trip once again offers you all the advantages of group travel and the flexibility to be on your own. The cost is $1,710 based on double occupancy and includes taxes. Travel insurance is available but is not included. A S250 deposit is required to reserve your spot and seats will fill up quickly! Contact the alumni office today at 1-800-WILKES-U ext. 4134 for more information or e-mail Michelle.Diskin@wilkcs.edu �spoRTspage DEVELOPMENTIieWS The Gift of a Lifetime Wilkes University's development office is offering personalized illustrations of how a gift annuity could work for you. It may be just what you are looking for to combine your charitable giving with your income needs. CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY IS A t % simple contract between you and Wilkes K * University. In exchange for your irrevocable gift of cash, securities or other assets, Wilkes agrees to pay one or two annuitants you name a fixed sum each year for life. The older your designated annuitants are at the time of the gift, the greater the fixed income Wilkes University can agree to pay. In most cases, part of each payment is tax-free, increasing each payments after-tax value. Seven Benefits of a Gift Annuity 1. Fixed and Secure Income for Life Your payment rate will be locked in at the time you obtain your gift annuity. It will not rise or fall with the economy. Instead, it will be the same amount every year_ and that can mean a lot in uncertain times. 2. Attractive Rates When you compare Wilkes University's gift annuity rates with what you might receive from a savings account or certificate of deposit, you will likely be pleasantly surprised. 3. Regular Payments When you establish your gift annuity, you decide how often you want to receive your payments. Whether you choose to receive checks or direct deposits every' quarter, semiannually' or only once-a-year, whatever you choose, receiving your regular payments on a specific, predetermined date is comforting and helpful for planning purposes. 4. Lifetime Benefit Gift annuities are for life. No alter what your age now or how long you live, payments will continue right to the very- end This benefit of ongoing payments can provide security for you as you grow older. 5. Dependable Source Wilkes University stands behind all our gift annuities. We have a reserve fund set aside to meet our obligations. We want you to feel safe and secure and to have confidence that your payments will continue without fail. 6. Relieffrom Taxes Since part of y'our contribution for a gift annuity is considered a charitable gift by the IRS, you will receive an income tax charitable deduction to apply on an itemized return. Also, during your lifetime, you will be able to claim part of the annuity payment as tax-free income. 7. Simple Process Obtaining a gift annuity from Wilkes University is easy. We provide you with a tailor-made illustration and materials you can share with your family' and advisor(s). For further information about Wilkes University’s gift annuity program, use the postcard reply inserted in this page, send an e-mail to evelyne.topfer@wilkes.edu or call Evelyne Topfer at 570-408-4309. Whatever your interest, with a little planning, your legacy can last forever. William '52 mid Comdu Umplirod [BUSONESS KEPLY MADE FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 355 WILKES-BARRE PA POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE WILKES UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS 84 W SOUTH ST WILKES-BARRE PA 18701-9832 I...III..I.I...III min vvnivt:^ ^(SDssiuir«fln.<ss Agresti was named Pitcher of the Year for the third straight season after going 15-6 with a 0.76 earned run average. She also averaged 12.1 strikeouts per game. Agresti, who was named a second team National Fastpitch Coaches — t Region id earned a berth ast Regional AllNO POSTAGE im, also was a NECESSARY IF MAILED emic All-American, IN THE tnich earned Rookie UNITED STATES >rs after hitting 42 runs and il record 14 tich excelled as a ing a 9-5 record and average. She also t on the East urnament Team. selected as the ence Coach of the nd time in the last hie a roster that 'O seniors and 14 s able to guide the erence title and 16 >0 games. recurs ui ma.er'uuiiejyjicaii.e FootbalB BY DR. HAROLD COX Oct. 11, 2006, marks the 60th anniversary of intercol­ legiate football at Wilkes, part of the revival of intercol­ legiate sports at what was then Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC) following the end of World War 11. The establishment of a football team was a major undertaking. The college did not have a coach, property suitable for practice or game play, or any football equipment. These problems were solved quickly. George Ralston was recruited from the college's Veteran's Guidance Center staff to coach the team. An arrangement was made with nearby Kingston High School to use its field on weekends when Kingston was playing away games. Lastly, Wilkes-Barre city officials gave their permission to use the field in Kirby Park for the team's practices. The team was assembled and organized in less than six weeks. The players were all student volunteers, the majority being veterans of World War 11. At the same time, other enterprising students showed their support for the new team. A pre-game pep rally was scheduled along the dike, and one student named Reese Pelton organized a band to support the athletic events. The first football team played six games with various junior college level teams. It gave up only two touchdowns and finished the season undefeated. The combined season score was BUJC - 95, opponents - 12. As an article in the 1947 BUJC Yearbook noted, "Rarely docs a football team make such an imposing start.” �SPORTspage DEVELOPMENT IICWS The Gift of a Lifetime Wilkes University's development office is offering personalized illusti ations Of how a gift annuity could work for you. It may be just what you are looking for to combine your charitable giving with your income needs. CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY IS A g W simple contract between you and Wilkes K w University. In exchange for your irrevocable gift of cash, securities or other assets. Wilkes agrees to pay one or two annuitants you name a fixed sum each year for life. The older your designated annuitants are at the time of the gift, the greater the fixed income Wilkes University can agree to pay. In most cases, part of each payment is tax-free, increasing each payments after-tax value. Seven Benefits of a Gift Annuity 1. Fixed and Secure Income for Life Your payment rate will be locked in at the time you obtain your gift annuity. It will not rise or fall with the economy. Instead, it will be the same amount every year — and that can mean a lot in uncertain times. 2. Attractive Rates When you compare Wilkes University's gift annuity rales with what you might receive from a savings account or certificate of deposit, you will likely be pleasantly surprised. 3. Regular Payments When you establish your gift annuity, you decide how often you want to receive your payments. Whether you choose to receive checks or direct deposits ever)' quarter, semiannually or only once-a-year, whatever you choose, receiving your regular payments on a specific, predetermined date is comforting and helpful for planning purposes. 4. Lifetime Benefit Gift annuities are for life. No alter what your age now or how long you live, payments will continue right to the very end. This benefit of ongoing payments can provide security for you as you grow older. 5. Dependable Source Wilkes University stands behind all our gift annuities. We have a reserve fund set aside to meet our obligations. We W'ant you to feel safe and secure and to have confidence that your payments will continue without fail. 6. Relieffrom Taxes Since part of your contribution for a gift annuity is considered a charitable gift by the IRS, you will receive an income tax charitable deduction to apply on an itemized return. Also, during your lifetime, you will be able to claim part of the annuity payment as tax-free income. 7. Simple Process Obtaining a gift annuity from Wilkes University is easy. We provide you with a tailor-made illustration and materials you can share with your family and advisor(s). For further information about Wilkes University’s gift annuity program, use the postcard reply inserted in this page, send an e-mail to evelyne.lopfer@wilkes.edu or call Evelyne Topfer at 570-408-4309. Whatever your interest, with a little planning, your legacy can last forever. William '52 nntl Connie Uniphrud The Lady Colonels celebrate an NCAA playoff berth after a victory over rival King s College. SoftbaiBTesim Gamers IMCAA Berth and IndivodimsiD Award Trifecta BY ERIN SWEENEY M'07 he softball squad fought I its way to an overall record of I 28-15 this spring, including a I 12-2 record in the Freedom Conference. The team’s performance earned the Lady Colonels a berth in the Freedom Conference playoffs, which were held at the Ralston Complex. Wilkes opened tournament play by topping Lycoming College in the opening round and then posted consecutive victories over rival King’s College to claim its first Freedom Conference title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Championship. Wilkes, making its first NCAA appearance since 1999, traveled to Rutgers-Camden University for the East Regional Tournament. The Lady Colonels would finish with a 2-2 mark in the Regional Tournament. “With such a young team, inexpe­ rience was a concern,'’ commented head coach Frank Matthews. “With some solid veteran leadership, they were able to turn hope into a reality.” Wilkes captured three of the four Freedom Conference individual awards. Junior Laurie Agresti was named Pitcher of the Year for the third straight season after going 15-6 with a 0.76 earned run average. She also averaged 12.1 strikeouts per game. Agresti, who was named a second team National Fastpitch Coaches Association East Region All-American and earned a berth on the NCAA East Regional All­ Tournament Team, also was a District II Academic All-American. Samantha Evanich earned Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .304, driving in 42 runs and slugging a school record 14 homeruns. Evanich excelled as a pitcher, fashioning a 9-5 record and 1.35 earned run average. She also garnered a berth on the East Regional All-Tournament Team. Matthews was selected as the Freedom Conference Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three years. Despite a roster that included only two seniors and 14 freshmen, he was able to guide the team to the conference title and 16 wins in its final 20 games. Wilkes CeOebrates 60 Years of fJtrDtereoDDegjDate FootbaOD BY DR. HAROLD COX Oct. 11, 2006, marks the 60th anniversary of intercol­ legiate football at Wilkes, part of the revival of intercol­ legiate sports at what was then Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC) following the end of World War 11. The establishment of a football team was a major undertaking. The college did not have a coach, property suitable for practice or game play, or any football equipment. These problems were solved quickly. George Ralston was recruited from the colleges Veteran's Guidance Center staff to coach the team. An arrangement was made with nearby Kingston High School to use its field on weekends when Kingston was playing away games. Lastly, Wilkes-Barre city officials gave their permission to use the field in Kirby Park for the team’s practices. The team was assembled and organized in less than six weeks. The players were all student volunteers, the majority being veterans of World War II. At the same lime, other enterprising students showed their support for the new team. A pre-game pep rally was scheduled along the dike, and one student named Reese Pelton organized a band to support the athletic events. The first football team played six games with various junior college level teams. It gave up only two touchdowns and finished the season undefeated. The combined season score was BUJC - 95, opponents - 12. As an article in the 1947 BUJC Yearbook noted. "Rarely docs a football team make such an imposing start." �WILKES I* 59th Annual Spring Commencement Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour conferred 273 bachelor's, 262 master’s and 72 doctor of pharmacy degrees during the university’s I © Rachel Dyer and Carlos Candelario will perform with the National Players Touring Company. W ■ ■ GO _ Theatre Arts Alumni Selected to Perform with National Players Carlos Candelario 06 of Harvey’s Lake, Pa., and Rachel Dyer ’06 of Forestburgh, N.Y., have been selected to tour with the prestigious National Players Touring Company’ in Washington, D.C. National Players, now in its 58th year, is the longest-running classical touring company in the United States. This year, it will present William Shakespeare’s Othello and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest. Candelario will understudy the title role in Othello and Lane in The Importance of Being Ernest. Dyer will play support roles in Othello and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest. The company is scheduled to tour the United Slates in the fall of 2006. Alumnus Ben Shovlin ’00 toured with National Players five years ago in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Joe Dav. son. chair of visual and performing arts, performed in Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew in the group’s 30th tour. University in Ohio, Etruscan Press has created a full-time managing editor position and will provide on-site experiential learning opportu­ nities for students in the creative writing program as well as Wilkes undergraduate students. “While we delight in being able 10 provide a congenial home for Etruscan Press, we will benefit greatly from the national exposure of having the press here on campus," said Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour. “This partnership also sends a strong message about the cultural richness of the region. Having a university-based press with the prominence of Etruscan will put Northeastern Pennsylvania on the literary' world’s map.” From its inception in 2001, Etruscan Press has promoted books that nurture the dialogue among genres, achieve a distinctive voice and reshape the literary and cultural histories of which they are a part. Etruscan has published books by H.L. Hix, Milton Kessler and William Heyen, whose collection of poetry’ Shoah Train, received a National Book Award nomination in 2004. During its brief history, Etruscan Press has garnered several prestigious grants, including The Nalional Endowment for the Arts, The Ohio Arts Council, and the Nathalie and James Andrews Foundation. Etruscan Press founders Bob Mooney (left) and Phil Brady (at podium) discuss the partnership with Wilkes. Alumnus Flies American Flag Over Iraq For Wilkes Football Team This spring, Wilkes University welcomed home a hero. U.S. Air Force Captain Tom Yeager ’96 returned to campus for the first time in more than six years to make a special presentation to the Wilkes football team. An F-15 fighter pilot, Yeager flew an American flag over Iraq on a recent mission for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He presented the flag, along with a mission certificate, to head football coach Frank Sheptock and more than 80 members of the football team who turned out to meet and welcome the captain. The flag will fly at Ralston Field during the fall sports season. Yeager, who credits his experiences as a student athlete and coach Sheptock for providing him with the leadership skills necessary to be a good soldier, spoke to the team about his career as a pilot, the war on terrorism and the importance of team building, leadership and mentorship. “Wilkes University’ was a building block to where 1 am today,” Yeager said. “I feel my time on the football field with fellow teammates and the leadership of coach Sheptock mirrors everyday’ life as an Air Force fighter pilot.” Yeager also showed the team a DVD with raw footage of the mission Continued on Page S Pictured from left aro: Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs; Addy Mnlatcsti director of athletics; Copt. Tom Yengei ?r; head football coach Frank Sheptock; and Sandra Carroll, executive director of alumni rrelations. �oNcampus he flew with the flag. While on campus, Yeager was given a person­ alized tour of new buildings, including the University Center on Main and the Henn' Student Center, which was under construction when he last visited Wilkes. After a twoweck leave to his hometown of Ashland. Pa., Yeager flew to California where he began Top Gun training with the Navy Hornets. “One of my goals is to return and do a fly-by over campus for Homecoming." he said. Graham Appointed Interim Provost Dr. Bernard Graham, dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing, has been appointed interim provost. Graham replaces Dr. Maravene Loeschke who resigned in May to become president of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. Graham brings more than 35 years of experience in industry and education to the interim post. He was appointed dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing in 1995. He previously served as associate dean of the college of pharmacy at Idaho State University and as an associate ■r Prtze-'wir.r.mt professor of the college of pharmacy at the University of South Carolina. Graham also served as a senior health physicist and environmental group supervisor with Pennsylvania Power and Light in Allentown, Pa. “1 look forward to working with all of the university's academic depart­ ments, my colleagues on Deans Council and members of President’s Cabinet to help to set the university’s strategic direction," Graham said. The university has convened a committee to conduct a national search for a permanent replacement for Loeschke. Dr. Harveyjacobs, associate dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing, will step in as dean in Graham’s absence. The Beacon Receives Award for Excellence in Content, Coverage and Editing Wilkes University's student newspaper, The Beacon, received a first-place rating from the American Scholastic Press Association in its annual review and contest. The Beacon was given an unprecedented perfect score for both content/ coverage and editing, and the reviewer cited outstanding writing ivered the excellence as chief among the traits that distinguish the paper. This is the fifth year that the weekly college newspaper has received first place honors in the annual contest. Beacon advisor and assistant professor of communi­ cation studies Dr. Andrea Frantz is the 2004 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Small Programs National Journalism Teacher of the Year. g the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association were (back row, left to> right): Dr. Bob Bohlander, associate professor of Attending gy; David Scarisbrick; Jason Kowalski; Adam Mason; Aaron Pascoe; Amanda Baronow' psychology rski; Shanna Allen; April Ritz; Kalyn Rupert; and Dr. DebbieTini indell, associate professor of psychology. Front row, left to right: Rebecca Storer, Lauren Peters, Cheryl Kramer, Virginia Merola, Erica Bucholz and Lindsay Nanz. Dr. Paola Bianco with Dr. Darin Fields, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Bianco Publishes Anthologies of Spanish Literature Dr. Paola Bianco, associate professor of Spanish, published a series of > books for university use and high £I school Spanish advanced placement | courses. The series consists of three I editions of Spanish works and two volumes of Hispanic literature. The three editions are: “La Casa de Bernarda Alba,” a play by Federico Garcia Lorca; San Manuel Bueno, Martir, a short novel by Miguel de Unamuno; and a play by Tirso de Molina titled, “El Burlador de Psychology Students Present Research to Psychology Association Fourteen psychology students attended the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in Baltimore to present posters of research they conducted with faculty mentors Dr. Debbie Tindell and Dr. Robert Bohlander. The research focused on memory recall, cognition and word fragmentation. Students Present Research at PA Academy of Science More than 40 biology and chemistry majors presented research papers and posters with their faculty mentors at the 82nd annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) in Hershey, Pa. Wilkes University had one of the largest contingencies of undergrad­ uates at the meeting. PAS provides forums for both junior and senior scientific research presentations and discussions and also encourages colleagues to meet from different academic institutions and indus­ tries. Dr. Valerie Kalter, associate professor of biology, serves as president of PAS. Student Athletes Raise Money for Charity More than 225 Wilkes University student athletes and coaches participated in the second annual Colonels Charity Challenge to benefit the Children's Miracle Network and the Gift of Life donor program. The Colonels Charity Challenge featured Senior biology major Abigail Redmond was one of 41 students to present research at the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences' annual meeting earlier this year. nine endurance and strength events, including a sand bag challenge. 800-yard run, 200-yard dash, tire throw, kettlebell throw, tire flip, farmers walk, obstacle relay, and a team van or shuttle pull. The event helped to raise more than $3,000 for the charities. Field hockey player Devon McKay prepares to lot Oo during the tire throw competition. 9 �covERStory story Watching the World Fred Gedrich '73 is a Foreign Policy Expert and National Security Analyst _ , BY KYLE KREIDER, PH D. ■ 1 i h. iM I _ Fl I n r ► K r ■I J i i i___ Fred Gcdrcch *73 (left) and political science professor Kyle Kreider discuss world affairs and national security during a meeting in Washington, D.C. IW Y HOLE AS A PROFESSOR H W K I of political science ■ ■ makes me a keen I W ■ observer of issues affecting our global world. So it was with great pleasure that I took advantage of an opportunity to meet and interview Wilkes alumnus Fred Gedrich ’73 during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. Fred is a former U.S. Department of Defense and State Department official who is now a foreign policy expert and national security analyst. In his 28 years of government sen ice, Fred traveled throughout the United States and to U.S. missions in more than 50 countries. He has also attended UN World Summits in Monterrey, Mexico and Johannesburg. South Africa. Fred has appeared on the BBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC and has been a guest on hundreds of radio stations throughout the country discussing U.S. relations with other countries and international organizations as well as the global war on terror. An accomplished writer, his articles have been published and used by United Press International, Le Monde, CBS News, The Miami Herald, American Enterprise Institute Magazine and National Review. He is also a contributing author to “War Footing: 10 Steps America Must Take to Prevail in the War for the Free World.” Fred splits his time working as executive vice president for MobilVox, Inc., a software engineering and wireless technology firm. For this cover story, Fred shared his informed opinions on a number of topics affecting our country’s national security and political landscape, including the war in Iraq, global terrorism, national security, freedom and democracy, and the state of our post-9/11 world. Q - Tell ns about how you moved from a Willies graduate to the State Department in the 1980s to a foreign polity analyst now? i A - After graduating from Wilkes in 1973,1 accepted a position with the Department of the Navy. I trans­ ferred to the Department of Defense in 1983 after receiving a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. At Defense, my duties included evaluating major aircraft, missile, shipbuilding and space programs. In 1987,1 moved to the U.S. State Department. My first assignment at State took me to Paris, Warsaw and Nairobi. Some other notable assignments included Beijing during the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Beirut under hostile conditions, several African countries undergoing political and economic turmoil, Haiti during the embargo, and the newly independent states in the former Soviet Union shortly after the collapse of the communist empire. Many of those experiences, as well as my strong interest in U.S. national security and foreign policy issues, opened the doors to radio and television appearances and publication in the print media after my retirement from federal service. Q — On to the hard questions. In your opinion, can the United States win the war in Iraq? A - Certainly. However, final victory will require continued patience, resolve and sacrifice by the U.S. and its allies, and the bravery and commitment of millions of Iraqis thirsting for freedom, liberty and peace after enduring decades of abuse, oppression and war under the tight-fisted rule of Saddam Hussein. Unfortunately, the quick military victory over Saddam’s regime by coalition forces has not quelled the violence in Iraq. Much of the mayhem is being perpetrated by several thousand foreign terrorists loyal to al Qaeda’s Sunni-bred terrorists Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al Zarqawi and about 20,000 Saddam loyalists. Operating mostly in four Sunni Triangle provinces, they use asymmetric warfare tactics in contravention of Geneva conven­ tions and protocols by hiding in civilian populations, wearing civilian clothes, and deliberately targeting innocents, mostly Shi’a, for slaughter. Nonetheless, 14 of Iraq’s other provinces, possessing Iraq’s substantial oil reserves, are relatively secure and improving economically. Iraq’s three free elections last year and recent formation of a permanent, unified government representing the country’s three major groups strongly suggests the terrorists and insurgents will eventually fail. Freedom and democracy will not come easy to Iraq. Its neighbors include the terrorist states of Iran and Syria and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In those countries, the concept of individual liberty is disdained and conditions allow groups like al Qaeda to gestate among the populations. Q — How long will and should the U.S. military be in Iraq? A - However long the U.S. considers it to be in our national security interest. In 1998, President Clinton made it U.S. policy, by signing the Iraq Liberation Act, to depose Saddam Hussein's regime. In 2002, Congress voted overwhelm­ ingly to pass the “Joint Resolution to Authorize the use of U.S. Armed Forces Against Iraq." It chronicles Saddam’s weapons of mass Y- V 7' i While in South Africa attending the UN World Summit in Johannesburg, Gedrich traveled to a village near the Mozambique/Zimbabwc borders. destruction programs, their use, and his crimes against humanity. Both chambers of Congress recently voted to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the Iraqi people. In the three years that have elapsed since the U.S.-led coalition forcibly removed the Hussein regime from power, Iraq has regained its sover­ eignty, held three free elections, and formed a permanent constitu­ tional government. This remarkable achievement occurred in consid­ erably less time, and with far fewer casualties for the U.S., than occurred during another era in Germany, Japan and South Korea. Thanks largely to President Truman's leadership and foresight, those three countries eventually flowered into vibrant democracies and the world is better for it. President Bush envisions the same result for Iraq. It shouldn't be over­ looked that the U.S. still has 75,000 troops in Germany, 40,000 troops in Japan, and 33,000 troops in South Korea protecting U.S. 10 11 �covERStory covERStory I rm ? Im M security interests in those geographic spheres. Leaving Iraq before the new government has a chance to take root and properly defend the country, as some American politicians arc now suggesting, would be viewed as weakness by terror groups like al Qaeda and terrorist states like Iran. Syria and North Korea. A premature departure would also put Americans, Iraqis and citizens of other countries at greater risk by ceding this resource-abundant country to enemies who would like nothing more than to turn it into a terrorist-haven and totalitarian state. Q - Has the U.S. presence in Iraq distracted us from dismantling al Qaeda and finding Osama bin Laden who is thought to be in hiding in Afghanistan? A - No. Al Qaeda reportedly has cells in more than 60 countries, including Iraq. And the group has deliberately attacked and killed innocents in the U.S. and Iraq and also in places like Bali, Beirut, Casablanca. Dar es Salaam, Istanbul, Jakarta. Jerusalem. London, Madrid, Nairobi and Riyadh. Since 9/11, the U.S., with the assistance of allies, has reportedly been able to capture or kill more than two-thirds of al Qaeda's leadership including the groups chief planner of the 9/11 attacks. Sheik Mohammed, and its leader in Iraq, the late al Zarqawi. Regarding bin Laden’s whereabouts, various intelligence reports have him hiding in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan or Yemen. While it is important that he be eventually brought to justice for attacks on the U.S. and other crimes against humanity, he has become increas­ ingly irrelevant to the war, mainly because it does not appear that present circumstances allow him to exercise direct command and control authority over his terrorist network. Q — Will the Iraq war remain a polarizing issue in the U.S. and allied countries? A - Yes. Having two major U.S. political parties guarantees passionate differences on war and peace decisions and constant challenges to administration policy. That is precisely how our political system works. And it sends a powerful message to friend and foe alike that our country's disagree­ ments are settled at the ballot box S-aaaas and in congressional chambers through civil discourse and the rule of law - rather than the dark places inhabited by some of the world’s most sinister forces where scores are customarily settled by bombs, bullets and terrorism. However, I do not expect the political rifts which occurred between some Free World countries over Iraq to continue. France and Germany, two major critics of the U.S.-led military intervention in Iraq, are now working closely with the U.S. to prevent the terrorist state of Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program. Q - You’ve traveled extensively to more than 50 foreign countries, two UN Summits and have been at the epicenter of many world events. Is American hatred or resentment on the rise? A - On a government-togovernment basis, I would answer the question in the affirmative. According to Freedom House - a democracy focused group co­ founded by Eleanor Roosevelt the 191 member-nations of the UN are split into two main groups: 87 free nations and 104 nations that are not. The latter group includes 45 of the most oppressive regimes and human rights abusers in the world and the six countries desig­ nated by the U.S. as terrorist states. Most UN members, including some of our putative Free World allies in Europe like France, do not like the U.S. status as Free World leader and President Bush’s stated national security strategy of defeating global terrorism by promoting and expanding global freedom and democracy and using pre-emptive force to eliminate threats to U.S. security. And they collectively show their disdain for the U.S. by collectively voting against U.S. supported positions in the general assembly about 75 percent of the time on important issues such as terrorism, arms control, and human rights. However, from the perspective of the estimated 2.3 billion people living under oppression and another billion or so living in abject poverty in developing countries, the answer is quite different. If given the chance, the vast majority of [oppressed people] would migrate to the U.S. in a nanosecond. The long lines customarily seen at overseas U.S. consulate offices offer the best proof of their feelings toward the United States. In their eyes, the U.S. is a bastion of freedom and the land of hope and opportunity. Q - Five years after the September 11th attacks, in your opinion, wliat is the current state of national security in the U.S.? A - The U.S. faces continued to destabilize the Western challenges in the global war on Hemisphere, and the growing terror and from other escalating reach of the Islamo-fascists are global security threats. Lax U.S. other worrisome U.S. national border controls and immigration security issues. law enforcement provide enticing opportunities for our nation’s sworn Q — On a lighter note, what are your enemies. Americans should be fondest memories of Wilkes? mindful that many terrorists are eager to carry-out bin Laden's A — The many discussions with infamous 1998 fatwa stating, “It is students and faculty in the the individual duty of all classroom and “The Commons." Muslims to kill The small college Americans: military environment at Wilkes and civilian.” If given the chance, sparked my intel­ Although lectual curiosity and they’ve tried, the vast majority of provided an terrorists have outstanding educa­ been unable to oppressed people would tional foundation strike the U.S. allowing me to Homeland again migrate to the U.S. in a enter the exciting primarily because universe of ideas, of changed national nanosecond. opportunities and security strategies from experiences awaiting even’ the pre-9/11 period when college graduate. terrorism was treated chiefly as a law enforcement issue. The Patriot Q - More than 600 students Act, NSA Terrorist Surveillance graduated from Wilkes this past Program, tracking terrorist May, most of whom arc trying to financing, and U.S.-led military find the keys to success. What interventions in Afghanistan and advice wouldyou give them? Iraq arc some things that have contributed in keeping the A - Be fearless in pursuing dreams homeland safe. Iran’s efforts to and changing interests and treat build nuclear weapons, North failure as a learning experience. It is Korea's nuclear weapons and longremarkable what one can accom­ range missile delivery capability, plish by stepping outside the Chinas strategic ambitions, comfort zone and exploring the economic power and military many wonderful opportunities this build-up, Castro-Chavez's attempts world has to offer. l>. I If you would like to contact Fred Gcdrich, visit his message board on the Colonel Connection at: http://commimity.wilkes.edu 13 �spoilight spoilight {e} Mentoring the Next Generation of Wilkes Students I I Why the next class of freshmen may be the most knowledgeable students to ever enter Wilkes I* *1 ENT0RING HAS ALWAYS ■ I Wilkes' e-Mentoring program is designed to give all freshmen a student-level outlet for advice both online and face-to-face. - Phillip Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development BY JULIE UEHARA I ■ g ■ been at the core of I ^^g I Wilkes University. I I This fall, Wilkes is I I building on its commitment to mentoring with the introduction of a new e-Mentoring program for incoming freshmen. “Wilkes’ e-Mentoring program is designed to give all freshmen a student-level outlet for advice both online and face-to-face," said Philip Ruthkosky, director of student development. “As the transition from high school to college often presents a difficult blend of academic, social and cultural challenges, this program is intended to help in the transition and provide a supportive environment for academic and personal growth." For their first semester at Wilkes, each new student is paired with an e-Mentor from a similar major. In May, the incoming freshmen received a personalized letter from their e-Mentor offering support and inviting them to contact them with questions or concerns prior to orientation. “This is one of the more exciting and unique elements of the program," Ruthkosky added. “Incoming freshmen will have access to students before they arrive on campus. While still in high school, they are learning from the experiences of their e-Mentors, asking questions and learning about topics that normally wouldn’t arise until they've moved on campus. “Based on the amount of infor­ mation they are receiving early on, this may be the most knowledgeable: freshman class to ever enter Wilkes,” Ruthkosky said. Capitalizing on the popularity of social networks like MySpace and Facebook, the cornerstone of the eMentoring program is the Freshman Mentoring Network, an online community designed exclusively for freshmen. The Freshman Mentoring Network is a non-intimi­ dating place for students to send confidential notes to £ their e-Mentors, post discussion topics on message boards, access academic support resources and receive tips on common first-year challenges such as time management, roommate relations and studying skills. “The e-Mentoring platform is great because it marries mentoring with an online component that today’s students are already savvy and comfortable with,” said Mark Allen, dean of students. “It sends a clear message to our new students that mentoring is part of the culture at Wilkes and they will be provided with that support right from the beginning." To help develop the e-Mentoring program, a survey was conducted last year to gather the thoughts, concerns, suggestions and experi­ ences of the then-freshman class. The survey results showed that twothirds of the students believe they would have benefited from a mentor during their freshman year. Their feedback also was used as topics on the Freshman Mentoring Network message boards about common first-year issues. Ifj With such a positive response from the student body, it was not hard to recruit mentors for the program’s inaugural semester. One of the 60 students who has been hired and trained as an e-Mentor isjenna Strzelccki, a r ■I The message boards give mentors the opportunity to share their experiences with all the freshmen in a sort of open forum. )OC^> -Jenna Strzelccki, Senior .) senior business administration major who has been using the Freshman Mentoring Network to communicate with her mentees. “We have been using the e-Mentoring network to send notes and keep each other up-to-date with college and orientation preparation infor­ mation,” she said. “I think the best feature on the network is the message boards. They give mentors the opportunity to share their experiences with all the freshmen in a sort of open forum." Anthony Troianiello, an incoming freshman and one of Strzelecki’s mentees, agrees. “The eMentoring program has been very helpful, and the online network is an easy way for me to ask questions and receive answers,” Troianiello said. “I also like the message boards. They give you a lot of helpful information that you may have not thought about.” Although the Freshman Mentoring Network is a key component to the e-Mentoring program, interaction is more than virtual. The e-Mentors also are the orientation leaders, which means The e-Mentoring platform marries mentoring with an online component that today's students arc already savvy and comfortable with. - Mark Allen, Dean of Students I thought this was a great opportunity for new freshmen that might have trouble adjusting to college life. - Valerie Martinez, Sophomore they will meet and get to know their mentees during the two-day freshman orientation in which they will participate in several team building activities and community service together. Throughout the remainder of the semester, mentors and mentees are encouraged to keep in touch both online and face-toface as well as participate in events scheduled through the university. Another Wilkes c-Mcntor is Valerie Martinez, a sophomore political science and communication studies double major. Her decision to become an e-Mentor had much to do with her experiences and the support she received during her freshman year. “When 1 first came to Wilkes, 1 was overwhelmed with trying to adjust my schedule so that I could participate in all the activities I wanted, and 1 also felt guilty for leaving my family, especially my mother,’’ she explained. “At my orientation, 1 had a wonderful orien­ tation leader who not only made me feel welcome but became a good friend. 1 was also lucky to have an RA (resident assistant) who was there for me my first semester and helped me meet people and adjust to the culture of Wilkes. "Because of my experiences, 1 thought this was a great opportunity to be there for new freshmen that might also have some trouble adjusting, not only to the college life, but the people and the transition process that one must go through.’’ I1.1 15 �Wilkes Borre. PA. Jim spcyrlight Pu,chMe.d jewelers after graduating from VVilkes College Lost & Found ...... '67 Graduate Reunites With His Class Ring...Twice BY EMILY VINCENT Deposit, NY: Where Jim Mason / taught and I lived when \ the ring was \ Syracuse, NY: Where the ring was found the first time in j the early 70 s. Once I Mason was located. I the nng was sent back' lost., both times' to him in Deposit Deposit. NY: One Ring her back with it. I found the initials Syracuse and didn’t realize that I lost the The call was from Donna Fricker, a matched up with Jim Mason’s ring,” Mason said. “1 didn’t wear it all former student and advisee of Masons information and advised lhe woman to the time. I knew that it was misplaced, while he taught at Deposit Central send lhe ring to me as I would be more but I didn’t think it was in SyTacuse.” School in Deposit, N.Y. than happy to distribute to Jim.” “When Donna called me, I thought When the village office learned that Mason responded to lhe letter, stating that the stone is blue. With the it was time for a class reunion,” Mason the ring’s owner was Mason, Fricker matched description, the ring was said. “Instead, she was calling to tell decided to contact him directly and promptly returned to Mason. me that my college class ring was notify him of lhe discovery in Deposit. Number coincidences also seem found in the sewer system in Deposit. I “He just laughed when 1 called him,” Four-ever His? teacher and still tutors students. to occur in his life. Mason was at a didn’t even know that the ring was lost Fricker said. Coincidentally, Mason To this day, Mason does not know He likes to read books on mathematics. He has incorporated restaurant near Allentown, Pa., in the first place.” Mason purchased the ring from was going to be in town that weekend, how the ring ended up in the Deposit where a waitress told him about her and a village trustee presented the ring sewer system. Wilkes (College) with a degree in mathematical patterns into the boyfriend who was born in 1986. Bartikowsky Jewelers in Wilkes-Barre back to Mason. mathematics. The retired math masonry’ and carpentry of his When the check arrived, it was for after graduating from Wilkes. He moved to Deposit for a teaching position. HE PHRASE “ONCE INA lifetime' does not apply to Jim “Bimmie” Mason, a 1967 graduate of He worked for 30 years as a math teacher who now lives in Jim house, including a tribute to the $19.86. A few days later, Mason Thorpe. Pa., has a fascination with square root of two and a hidden received a phone call from a former numbers, and the numbers have binary' code of 2000 to mark the student who graduated in 1986. been good to him. millennium year. Mason laughed at the coincidence. “I have a theory' that my ex­ girlfriend was mad at me and flushed it Two Losses down the toilet,” he joked. “It’s still a Reporter Deborah Stcver of the Deposit mystery because she doesn’t remember dating a teacher from a nearby school Courier, the local weekly newspaper, ever having the ring.” who lived in Deposit in the early' heard about the found class ring. Like 1970s. When the two broke up in Fricker, Stever is a former student of the alumni office, Weeks said this type Mason explained that he began Based on her experience working in 1975, Mason said the ex-girlfriend Mason’s. She witnessed the ring being of thing has not happened before and asked him if she could keep his class returned to Mason, interviewed him that Masons story' is quite unique. ring for sentimental reasons. He and wrote a story for the paper. “Although 1 hear that schools have agreed, and that was the last he saw of the ring...or so he thought. Thirty-one y'ears later, Mason’s class “It was a real fun story to cover,” she said. “It was more fun because I knew him and hadn’t seen him in a long it is not common at Wilkes,” she said. When asked what Mason should do lime. Its one of those stories that you with the ring now, everyone agreed system. Workers from the villages laugh the whole lime you’re writing it. that he should keep it in a safe place. Department of Public Works were It has a happy ending.” And the year that Stever graduated system line when worker John from Deposit Central School? 1975 - Romanofski discovered lhe gold ring. the same year that Mason lost the ring. He brought it back to the village office where Fricker works. Fricker and a co-worker examined the From interviewing Mason for the story, she learned that this is not the first time that Mason has lost his college class “He should write a note about the ring and pass it along to one of his nephews,” Fricker suggested. Stever said Mason should definitely' not give it away again. “I’m not sure how many lives this ring will have,” she said. The experience of losing his class ring, which was in good shape, noticing ring. In 1971, Mason received a letter ring - both times - has made the ring Wilkes College and 1967 appearing on from Syracuse, N.Y., slating that a Wilkes mean more to Mason than before. “It is the outside of the ring and the initials College class ring had been found. more of a memento to me now,” he JMM engraved on the inside. The co­ explained. “The ring tics me back worker e-mailed Wilkes University' to let Three ABumni more to my earlier days at Wilkes. them know that a class ring was found. The sender of the letter contacted That is where it all began - where Wilkes, and the college was able to decisions were made and where 1 University’s Alumni Office received the narrow the list of possible alumni decided what to do with my life. e-mail. “1 received an e-mail from a down to three people. If the rightful woman stating she had found a Wilkes class ring with initials on it and a class owner could correctly identify the away or lose the ring again, but if he color of the stone in the ring, it would does, the numbers are on his side that year," Weeks explained. “She asked if 1 be returned to him. it will be returned to him. After all, the Nancy Weeks from Wilkes could look up the information and call I this sort of thing happen on occasion, ring turned up in the Deposit sewer repairing and cleaning the sewer I I “1 had attended a math conference in Odds are slim that Mason will give third lime is a charm.IDI Il you would like to contact Jim Mason, visit his message board on the Colonel Connection at: http://community.wilkcs.edu 17 �dAssnotes cLAssnotes 1955 Doris J. Merrill is a World War II veteran residing in Nanticoke. Pa. 1959 Alan Balcomb Sr. was inducted into the South Brunswick High School Hall of Fame in South Brunswick, N.J.. as the schools most successful boys' basketball coach. He led the team to its only state championship in 1968 and won more than 300 games in his career. Alan also was a part-time assistant coach for five years to Pete Carrill, mens basketball coach at Princeton University. He has retired from teaching and coaching. His daughter, Melanie, is now the head womens basketball coach at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. 1960 Clifford Kobland, Ph.D., is a professor of communication studies at the State University of New York at Oswego. He has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 46 years. The couple has four grandchildren. 1970 1966 Richard Bucko, Ed.D., is a recently retired principal from the Moorestown Township Public Schools in Ncwjersey. He now teaches for Fairleigh Dickinson University and manages his educa­ tional consulting business. He lives in Medford. N.J., with his wife, Marilyn. 1967 Barry M. Miller just completed his term as president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. One of the highlights of his year in office was the lengthy interview with Consumers Union and the front cover article inclusion in the May 2005 issue of Consumer Reports. Barry's company. Buyers Only America Realty, has just opened its investor buyer division. He resides in Denver, Colo., with his wife, Margie, and their children, Lisa and Katie. 1961 1968 Benjamin J. Matteo has been in the public accounting practice for more than 47 years, in addition to his involvement with various civic and charitable organizations. He instituted a holiday food basket distribution program that is still in operation. Matteo and his wife, Josephine, have been married for 54 years. Lee M. Philo is a veterinary service officer with 33 years of military service. He is assigned to the 109th Medical Detachment in Stanton, Calif. In 1972, he earned his doctorate in veterinary' medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1986, he earned a second doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. David M. Boguslto is retiring this year after 32 years with the Hartford County Public Schools in Maryland. He resides in Bel Air, Md., with his wife of 33 years, JoAnne, a special education teacher. 1971 John Jack Flynn is a freelance writer/editor in Fairfax, Va. His business, JJF Productions, offers speechwriting and other creative writing services. He retired in 2003 as senior writer/editor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., after more than 30 years of federal and military service. Dr. William J. Reese is a professor of history and educational policy studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his Ph.D. He is the author of America’s Public Schools: From the Common School to No Child Left Behind (Thejohns Hopkins University Press 2005). His other books include Hoosier Schools, Past and Present (1998), The Origins of the American High School (1995) and The Social Histoiy ofAmerican Education (1988). 1974 1977 Debbie Dunleavy is the marketing director for First Liberty Bank & Trust in Scranton, Pa. A former WYOU-TV Channel 22 anchor for nearly 20 years, she won the station’s first-ever Emmy for a series on breast cancer. Demetrius Fannick was the leading defense attorney for Hugo Selenski in one of the most high-profile murder cases in recent Luzerne County history. He resides in Dallas Township, Pa., with his wife, Mary Ann, and their daughter, Maggie. 1975 1978 Caiy Kratz is a supervisor of the construction services department at PG Energy in Wilkes-Barre. He resides in Forty-Fort, Pa., with his wife, Kristen. Cynthia Glawe Maillottx, Ph.D., RN, is the chair of the nursing department at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. She resides in Mountain Top, Pa., with her husband, Peter, and two children, Bradley and Clifford. I I Joseph Ishley resides in Macon, Ga., with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Joseph. 1973 Louise Ann Beebe was promoted to senior medical program clinical specialist in April 2006. She is involved in managing clinical research trials for a major pharma­ ceutical company. She and her husband, Richard Thornton, look forward to celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in September. Joseph Grilli is the director of corporate outreach/new initiatives at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. He resides in Jenkins Township, Pa., with his wife, Lisa, and two children. 19 �CLAssnotes CLA=?notes upclose: Ellen K. (duFossc) Wcngcn owns a Curves fitness center franchise in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She is involved with the Lupus Foundation of Edward Mollahan '81 Ec '.G'snan I (" "f ‘ the 2006 Advisory and I J Leadership . Council on I Pennsylvania, participating in numerous fund-raising events. She resides in Lake Wrnola. Pa., with her husband. Paul 79. who is the president of a division of L-3 Communications, Space and Navigations. 1979 ‘ Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L Chao.The council’s role is to review, research and recommend policy to the Department of Labor. Mollahan is a senior vice president at JPMorgan, where he is responsible for new applications, new business development, client management, and consultant programs in the corporate and public pension segment Mo! ahan joined JPMorgan in 1982 and has he’d various positions in the pension area, including performance Gan- R. Blockus is a sports writer for The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown. Pa. He was named Print Journalist of the Year for 2006 by the National Wrestling Media Association. He began covering wrestling, both on the radio and in the newspaper, while attending Wilkes. In addition to high school and college wrestling. Blockus has covered international wrestling, including the 1996 and 2004 Olvmpic Games. He resides in Laurys Station. Pa., with his wife, Lois, and their children. Jared and Marissa. measurement, accounting and client services. He has served in his current position since 2001. He is a Chartered Pension investment Professional and is affiliated with several industry associa­ tions, including the International Securities Dealers Association USDA., the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans FEBP/, the John Koze was recently elected vice president of membership for the Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development in California. He is a leadership and training consultant to Fortune 500 businesses. Koze is a former resident of Ashley, Pa. American Bankers Association ABA and the Pri vate Equity Industry Guidelines Group (PEIGGj. In addition to receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration from //hires University, Mo: a han has attended the Executi /e Education Program at the Wharton Schoo) of me University of Pennsylvania. He resides in Ando /er, N.J. 20 1980 Bob Gaetano has been an art teacher at Crestwood High School in Mountain Top. Pa„ for 24 years. He is a member of the Plein Air Painters, artists known for painting outdoors. His work has been exhibited from southern Vermont to New Hope, Pa. James T. Martin was recently selected for the Leadership Wilkes Barre class of 2007. He is presently a cardiovascular sonographer with the Wyoming Valley Health Care System. He has been with the system for 24 years. He resides in FortyFort, Pa., with his wife Donna, and their children, James and Kaitlyn. Susan (Isaacs) Shapiro is employed as a learning disabilities coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania. She was recently appointed to the board of trustees of the Academy in Manayunk, a school for children with learning disabilities that begins its first academic year in September 2006. She resides with her husband, Amiram, and their children, Ben and Ron, in Gladwyne, Pa. Italia (Wells) Davies resides in Nassau, Bahamas, with her husband, Fr. Stephen E. R. Davies, and their children, Bryant, Stephen and Simone. She works as the deputy director for the Anglican Central Education Authority in Nassau and surrounding islands. 1981 Mark I. Himelstein has published Solace, a book of poetry. He earned his master's degree in computer science from the University of California at Davis/Livermore. He holds four patents and has published a number of technical papers. He is currently the president and CEO of Heavenstone, Inc., a software development and management consulting firm. Hc resides in Saratoga, Calif., with his 1982 1990 Tony Vlahovic is president and founder of Momentum Fitness in Princeton, N.J. After overcoming cancer at age 14, pitching for the Boston Red Sox for four years and ultimately losing the use of his left leg due to a car accident, he opened the fitness center in 1998 to help post-rehab patients as well as to train athletes and help average citizens get into shape. A cancer wellness program is another feature of the center, available free of charge to patients and survivors. Amy Dominica (Adamczyk) Taylor is employed as a marketing and special events director at Frost Brown Todd LLC in Louisville, Ky. She resides in Louisville with her husband, Gregory Lawrence Taylor, Esq. 1983 Thomas George Urosevich is an associate in optometry for the Geisinger Medical Group in Mount Pocono, Pa. 1985 Jeffrey K. Box has been named president and CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, a regional community and economic development organization located in Pittston, Pa. 1988 Gary Jack Taylor is employed by RCN as a senior LAN administrator. He resides in Dallas, Pa., with his wife, Elizabeth. unclose, Robert A. Bruggeworth '83 Bob Bruggeworth is President and CEO Sue (Auch-Schwelk) Boyer is employed by the Boyer Insurance Agency in Conyngham, Pa. She resides in Sugarloaf, Pa., with her husband, Don, and their son, Steven. of RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD), a Greensboro, NC- x based global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio Rob Johansen is employed as an actor at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Jennifer. systems and solutions for mobile commu­ nications applications. Since joining RF Micro Devices in 1999, Bob was the Vice President ofWireless Products. Bob was appointed President in June 2002 and 1991 Robert Charles Celia is employed bv BioHorizons in Birmingham. Ala., as a northeast regional manager of sales. He resides with his wife, Maureen Anne (Rogers) Celia, in Conshohocken, Pa. Thomas J. Obrzut Jr. was named one of the Lehigh Valley's top 20 business leaders under 40 by the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal. He is the owner/publisher of Pulse Weekly, a weekly arts and entertainment paper based in Allentown, Pa. 1989 1992 Flank Castano is the director of Luzerne County Children and Youth and the wrestling coach at GAR Memorial High School in Wilkes-Barre. Brian DcAngclo has been employed by the New Jersey State Police as a state trooper for 12 years. He resides in Upper Freehold Township, N.J., with his wife, Brandi, and their children, McKinley and Rylee. CEO in January 2003. Throughout his career, Bruggeworth has succeeded in building and expanding electronic businesses in the U.S. and Asia. RF Micro Devices’ revenue has more than doubled since Bob was appointed CEO and RF Micro Devices is quickly approaching S1 billion in annualized sales. Before joining RFMD, he worked for more than 10 years with AMP Inc., now a division ofTyco Electronics, ascending the corporate ladder from product engineer to divisional vice president in overseas offices. Founded in 1991, RFMD has become the leading provider of cellular power ampli­ fiers, which are the semi-conductor com­ ponents that transmit your conversations, via cellular frequencies, from your cell phone to nearby cell towers. daughter, Sammi. 21 �CLAssnotes CLASsnotes Diana Kantor has adopted two children with her husband, Scott. upclose: GinaTaylor is the head of acquisitions for small business customers for Mamin J. Michaels was elected a : principal by Baker & • McKenzie i International, a ___ I Swiss Verein, where he specializes in international taxation. He isis chairman of the European Regional Private Banking Steering Committee. Michaels authored a treatise (Thomson Publishing) on U.S. withholding tax. He also has been elected to the board of trustees of the Zurich International School, one of the largest international schools in the world. He resides in Zurich, Switzerland, where he has lived for the last eight years. _ KMT GinaTaylor'94 n® ’ OPEN, the Small Business Network of American . ,X.J Express. With a team of approximately 50 individuals,Taylor is responsible for leading the acquisition strategy and ensuring that OPEN wins with small business customers. In one of her earlier roles, she worked directly for the chief credit officer of the U.S. business on a number of initiatives including creating and launching a "new" risk training cur­ riculum that is still used today to train over 1,300 risk and information manage­ ment employees as well as another several thousand business partners. She then was then promoted to vice president in risk management and was responsible for launching a Julie Orloski is a fund development director for a local chapter of Girl Scouts of America. She resides in Tunkhannock, Pa., with her husband. Bob, and two daughters, Karen and Sarah. 1993 MaryAnn (Kasko) Lugiano received her master’s degree in education in 2001. She resides in Jackson Township, Pa., with her husband, Robert Jr., ’92 and their sons, Bobby and Michael. She has worked as a K-8 general music teacher at thejim Thorpe Area School District for 10 years. Robert also is a music teacher of 10 years, teaching grades 6-8 at the Wyoming Seminar)' Lower School. Tsukasa Waltich is an adjunct professor of fine arts at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. She has a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. 1994 Steven S. Endres, RE., is a national accounts manager for Novozymes Biologicals Inc. He and his wife, Gina, recently welcomed a new addition to their family: a son, Gabriel Steven Endres. Steve resides in Vineland, N.J., with his wife, son and two daughters, Taylor and Carly. new customer management strategy, which is now used in the U.S. and approximately 26 markets around the world. She also launched the first phase of a global customer experience initiative which will enable automated service across all key markets and through all key channels such as the internet and customer service. Terrie Lynn Schoonover is the owner of Schoonover Accounting and Tax Sendee, She has 23 years of accounting experience. She resides in Asylum Township in Bradford County, Pa., with her husband, Ralph, two children and three stepchildren. Taylor received her MBA from Drexel University, where she lectured in micro economics as a graduate assistant. Upon the completion of her MBA, she joined Signet Bank in Richmond, Va. as an analyst. She was recruited by hi the headquarters office of American Express in New York City in 1997. Thomas T. Whittman, Jr. works for his own construction company, Whittman Construction, in the Philadclphia/South Jersey region. He resides in Marlton, N.J. Nancy (Stanislaw) Crake is employed by JPMorgan Chase as a senior recruiter. Her husband, David ’94, is the director of bank opera­ tions for Barclaycard U.S. They reside in Newark, Del. Becky Fox recently opened a general dentistry practice in Cumberland County, Pa. A member of the American Association of Women Dentists, she recently obtained her fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry and certification with the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Jennifer Heinzerling resides in Landing, NJ. Amy Lynch-Biniek is an adjunct English professor at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. She is working toward a doctorate in composition at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Plains Township, Pa. Robert P. Michaels was recently promoted to chief operating officer al the Institute for Human Resources and Services, Inc. He recently completed his MBA degree at Wilkes University. Katherine Zoka received a master's degree in education at Wilkes in 1997 and is employed by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District as a mathematics teacher al GAR Memorial High School. 1995 Edward J. Ciarimboli was recently named a Pennsylvania Rising Star in the 2005 listing of Super Lawyers published in Philadelphia Magazine. 1997 Ann Blasick recently accepted a job at the Georgia Institute of Technology as an assistant director in the division of professional practice, where she will help engineering students find co-op positions. She resides in Atlanta. Christie (Meyers) and Paul J. Patera '94 celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on May 17. Paul is a teacher at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pa. Christie is a teacher at Dallas Middle School in Dallas, Pa. Christie also recently received her certification as a supervisor of curriculum and instruction following the completion of a master’s degree in education at College Misericordia. They have a son, William Ronald Potera. i 1996 Robert G. Watkins served in Iraq with the 365th Engineering Battalion. Detachment 4, an Army Reserves unit based in Scranton, Pa. He resides in Laflin, Pa., with his wife, Melissa, and three children. Jake and Sheila (Bubba) Cole were married in 2001 and live in Nazareth, Pa. They have a son, Jacob, who is two years old. The couple recently had a daughter, Sophia, on April 4, 2006. Jake is the director of construction for ESA Environmental Specialists, Inc. in Bethlehem, Pa. Sheila is a fourth grade teacher in Phillipsburg, NJ. I ' / t t<■ • I- r »•$ ta A / She resides in Mount Joy, Pa. 22 David Allen Hines was recently appointed acting deputy director for budget administration within the department of budget and planning, office of the chief financial officer of the government of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. / _ ________________ iI �dAssnotes 1998 Michael Barrault was recently named assistant vice president at PNC Bank in Wilkes-Barre. He also received his MBA from Wilkes University. Kerri (Gosling) Fasulo is the acqui­ sitions marketing manager for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. She resides in Pleasant Valley, N.Y., with her husband, Justin ’96. Kristi Lynn (Fchlingcr) Layland is employed by SERVPRO of central Luzerne County, Pa., as a sales and service manager. She resides in Exeter. Pa., with her husband, Marc. Jason F. Poplaski concentrates his legal practice in general litigation with Stevens & Lee Professional Corp. He was an assistant public defender for Lycoming County in Pennsylvania. He also has served as a law clerk for the Honorable Margherita Patti Worthington of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas and Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. of the Luzeme County Court of Common Pleas. Lynn (Maguschak) Shymanski was named Wilkes University’s Outstanding Adult Learner for 2006. She is employed full-time as a certified medical technologist at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. She returned to Wilkes to pursue a degree in mathematics. Lynn and her husband, Paul, reside in FortyFort, Pa„ with their son, Aiden. They are expecting a second child in November. cLAssnotes Toni Ann (Stcinson) Loftus is a registered nurse with the U.S. Army Reserves. She resides in Mountain Top, Pa., with her husband. Paul Anthony. Christine (Gaydos) Vcith works in housing and residence life at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She resides in South Orange with her husband, Scott, and their son.jackjoseph. MariJo Watchilla-Thomas is employed as an engineering lab manager for Midiantic Engineering, Inc. in Pittston Township, Pa. She resides in Taylor, Pa. with her husband, Christopher Thomas. 1999 Lisa Johnson-Ford obtained her masters degree from the University of Massachusetts in 2004. A board certified adult acute care nurse practitioner, she practices at a gastroenterology clinic. She resides with her husband, William Ford, M.D., in Skippack, Pa. Kimberly (Kutch) Augustine is employed as a training manager at Sanofi Pasteur. She resides in Olyphant, Pa., with her husband, Christopher. Margaret Redmond is an assistant director of emergency services for the Wyoming Valley Healthcare System, where she oversees operations in a 25-bed emergency department. She resides in Dallas, Pa. Laura (Chowanec) Ruthoski is employed as an operations repre­ sentative for Prudential Insurance. She resides in Scranton, Pa., with her husband, Bob, and their son, Brady Robert. Tracy Zaykoski-Kayhanfar is employed as a manager of environ­ mental technology for Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, Pa. She resides in Nanticoke, Pa. with her husband, Andrew. Heath Ncidercr has been employed as a finance assistant and community relations representative for C-SPAN and is now a marketing representative for the network. He travels to high schools around the country to show students and Michael Miller served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1996. He is employed by Wells Fargo as a loan officer. He resides in West Pittston, Pa., with his wife, Renee Majeski M’01. remembering: Dr. Charles B. Reif 79 passed away on April - s 93. A native of Hi 99 earned his doctorate WILKES UNIVERSITY 41 and joined the 11942, where he essor of biology and 5 first chairperson, 2000 James L. Caffrey is a facility engineer at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and a certified health care facility manager through the American Hospital Association. He received his MBA from Wilkes and also is an adjunct professor in the architectural engineering program at Luzerne County Community College. He resides in Hughestown, Pa., with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Jimmy and Meghan. t at Wilkes until his Name:____ '9, with the exception r of duty in the South Class year:. l.s. Navy in 1944 and E-mail: In hopes of increasing die attendance of our alumni and friends on Homecoming Weekend, we’re putting together class committees. If you would like to help network with your classmates to get the class “out,” please let us know how you will help. 'ried to Carolyn Lee Phone Number:. rears. Following / uvuld like to help os: Class Committee Chair Class Committee Member Class Gift Committee Member le married Dorothy I.They spent the last tsota. d a diverse range ts, largely centered he ecology of lakes, ■ften involved 1 students and were published in Amy Drobish is a social research associate in breast cancer research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She resides in Raleigh, N.C. Bryan Glahn and his wife, Jennifer Klaips ’02, are employed as teachers in the Northwest Area School District in Pennsylvania. Charles John Medico is employed as a critical care pharmacist with Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. He resides with his wife, Amory Jane, in Mountain Top, Pa. nals such as the Mu Delta honor society. She is employed as the manager of direct marketing and advertising with ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. ____ coach at Bishop Hoban High School, both in Wilkes-Barre. She resides with her husband, Louis Patrick Lyons, in Wilkes-Barre. < icbiiwater Ecology and the Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. An ardent painter of nature scenes, Dr. Reif displayed his work at the Sordoni Art Gallery, the Hoyt Library, Jamie B. Howell, Pharnt.D., was married to Vito Forlenza on Sept. 24, 2005. Jamie earned a master’s degree in health policy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She works at a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey. Melinda Ann (Rushkowski) Heffron is working toward her master’s degree in reading at King’s College and has received her English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification. She is employed by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 as an elementary ESL teacher. She resides in Wilkes-Barre with her husband, Gregory. and with the Wyoming Valley Art League. At Wilkes, he and his students established the Charles B. Reif Scholarship Fund. He established the Charles Reif Undergraduate Research Endowment for the Pennsylvania Academy of Science and the Raymond Lindeman Award for the American Society for Linmnology and Oceanography. Many of Dr. Reif's former students have achieved success in medicine and academia. �CLAssnotes cLASsnotes 1998 Michael Banouk was recently named assistant vice president at PNC Bank in Wilkes-Barre. He also received his MBA from Wilkes University. Kerri (Gosling) Fasulo is the acqui­ sitions marketing manager for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. She resides in Pleasant Valley. N.Y., with her husband. Justin '96. Kristi Lynn (Fchlingcr) Layland is employed by SERVPRO of central Luzerne County, Pa., as a sales and service manager. She resides in Exeter, Pa., with her husband, Marc. Jason E Poplaski concentrates his legal practice in general litigation with Stevens & Lee Professional Corp. He was an assistant public defender for Lycoming County in Pennsylvania. He also has served as a law clerk for the Honorable Margherita Patti Worthington of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas and Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Lynn (Maguschak) Shymanski was named Wilkes University’s Outstanding Adult Learner for 2006. She is employed full-time as a certified medical technologist at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. She returned to Wilkes to pursue a degree in mathematics. Lynn and her husband, Paul, reside in FortyFort, Pa., with their son, Aiden. They are expecting a second child in November. Toni Ann (S(einson) Loftus is a registered nurse with the U.S. Army Reserves. She resides in Mountain Top, Pa., with her husband. Paul Anthony. Christine (Gaydos)Vcith works in housing and residence life at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. She resides in South Orange with her husband, Scott, and their son. Jack Joseph. Mari Jo Watchilla-Thomas is employed as an engineering lab manager for Midiantic Engineering, Inc. in Pittston Township, Pa. She resides in Taylor, Pa. with her husband. Christopher Thomas. 1999 Lisa Johnson-Ford obtained her masters degree from the University of Massachusetts in 2004. A board certified adult acute care nurse practitioner, she practices at a gastroenterology clinic. She resides with her husband, William Ford, M.D., in Skippack, Pa. Kimberly (Kutch) Augustine is employed as a training manager at Sanofi Pasteur. She resides in Olyphant, Pa., with her husband, Christopher. Margaret Redmond is an assistant director of emergency services for the Wyoming Valley Healthcare System, where she oversees operations in a 25-bed emergency department. She resides in Dallas, Pa. Laura (Chowancc) Rutkoski is employed as an operations repre­ sentative for Prudential Insurance. She resides in Scranton, Pa., with her husband, Bob, and their son, Brady Robert. Tracy Zaykoski-Kayhanfar is employed as a manager of environ­ mental technology for Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, Pa. She resides in Nanticoke, Pa. with her husband, Andrew. 2000 James L. Caffrey is a facility engineer at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and a certified health care facility manager through the American Hospital Association. He received his MBA from Wilkes and also is an adjunct professor in the architectural engineering program at Luzerne County Community College. He resides in Hughestown, Pa., with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Jimmy and Meghan. Amy Drobish is a social research associate in breast cancer research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She resides in Raleigh, N.C. Bryan Glahn and his wife, Jennifer Klaips ’02, are employed as teachers in the Northwest Area School District in Pennsylvania. Charles John Medico is employed as a critical care pharmacist with Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. He resides with his wife, Amory Jane, in Mountain Top, Pa. Heath Neiderer has been employed as a finance assistant and community relations representative for C-SPAN and is now a marketing representative for the network. He travels to high schools around the country to show students and teachers how to use C-SPAN as a learning tool in the classroom. Jennifer (Kovacs) Peckally and Michael Peckally welcomed their first child, Olivia Michele, on March 20, 2006. Jennifer is a third-grade teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Southampton, Pa., and Michael is an assistant principal at Franklin Towne Charter High School in Philadelphia. Michael is finishing his master's in educational leadership at Neumann College. They reside in Newportville, Pa. 2001 Edward T. Bednarz III resides in Havre de Grace, Md., with his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Edward IV. Katie (Pearson) Desiderio graduated from Wilkes University’s MBA program as a member of the Delta Mu Delta honor society. She is employed as the manager of direct marketing and advertising with ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. Jamie B. Howell, Phann.D., was married to Vito Forlenza on Sept. 24, 2005. Jamie earned a master’s degree in health policy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She works at a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey. Michael Miller served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1996. He is employed by Wells Fargo as a Ioan officer. He resides in West Pittston, Pa., with his wife, Renee Majeski M’01. Lisa Ruggiero is an interpreter/claims processor for the Social Security Administration. She resides in Hazleton, Pa. remembering: Dr. Charles B. Reif 79 Dr. Charles Reif passed away on April 19, 2006. He was 93. A native of Minnesota, Reif earned his doctorate in zoology in 1941 and joined the Wilkes faculty in 1942, where he served as a professor of biology and John Williams is employed as a laboratory supervisor for Siberline Manufacturing Co., Inc., a global supplier of effect pigments. Williams has been with Siberline since 2001 and resides in New Philadelphia, Pa. the department's first chairperson. Dr. Reif taught at Wilkes until his retirement in 1979, with the exception of a two-year tour of duty in the South Pacific with the U.S. Navy in 1944 and 1945. He was married to Carolyn Lee Hoffa Reif for 46 years. Following JoAnnc Zurich was recently pro­ moted to vice president, operations officer at Landmark Community Bank. She resides in Scranton, Pa. 2002 Aliccia Yvonne (Fink) Lyons is employed as an English teacher, graduation project advisor and drama advisor at Coughlin High School and assistant varsity softball coach at Bishop Hoban High School, both in Wilkes-Barre. She resides with her husband, Louis Patrick Lyons, in Wilkes-Barre. Carolyn's death, he married Dorothy Towne Schlichting.They spent the last six years in Minnesota. Dr. Reif pursued a diverse range of research projects, largely centered on his interest in the ecology of lakes. His works, which often involved collaborations with students and fellow professors, were published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Freshwater Ecology and the Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. An ardent painter of nature scenes, Dr. Reif displayed his work at the Sordoni Art Gallery, the Hoyt Library, Melinda Ann (Rushkowski) Hcjfron is working toward her master's degree in reading at King's College and has received her English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification. She is employed by the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 as an elementary ESL teacher. She resides in Wilkes-Barre with her husband, Gregory. and with the Wyoming Valley Art League. At Wilkes, he and his students established the Charles B. Reif Scholarship Fund. He established the Charles Reif Undergraduate Research Endowment for the Pennsylvania Academy of Science and the Raymond Lindeman Award for the American Society for Linmnology and Oceanography. Many of Dr. Reif's former students have achieved success in medicine and academia. 25 �claf-notes dAssnotes remembering: Sylvia S. Savitz '98 Sara Zuchowshi is a physician assistant at the Elkland Laurel Health Center in Elkland, Pa. She earned a masters of health science degree from Lock Haven University, where she was inducted into Pi Alpha, the national honor society for physician assistants. Sylvia Savitz died May 5, 2006, in Bal Harbour, Fla., with her family at her bedside. She was preceded in death 2003 by her husband, Abe Savitz. While raising three children, Savitz attended Wilkes College periodically. She spent the summer of 1998 in residence at Wilkes University, completing her Del Lucent recently lectured at a conference at Wilkes University. He is currently on a research fellowship at Stanford University. education as the oldest living graduate at the age of 83.Two years later, she received her master's degree from the University of Miami. She and her family established a student scholarship, which is presented annually to a student of exemplary character who is in Sherri Molctrcss is the assistant principal at Wind Gap Middle School in Pennsylvania. She also is at seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher at Oley Valley Elementary School in Berks County, where she has worked for 10 years. financial need, and the Abe & Sylvia Savitz & Family Leadership Development Center at Wilkes University. Located on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, the lounge is intended for use by all members of the Wilkes community, particularly for meetings and small gatherings of any organization or informal group on the Wilkes campus. A native of Wilkes-Barre, she and Erin Schultz married Aaron J. Moreck '03 in August 2005. Erin is employed as an English teacher in the Dallas School District and is pursuing a masters degree in education at Wilkes University. Aaron is employed as a network engineer at Lightspeed Technologies. The couple resides in Forty-Fort, Pa., with their dog, Nikko. her late husband lived on Riverside Drive for many years prior to their move to Florida. 2004 Leann Dawn Benkowski was recently married to Jason David Stettler. She is employed by the Children’s Sen-ice Center of Wyoming Valley Inc. She resides with her husband in Kingston, Pa. Sarah M. Bogusho graduated from the University of Delaware this past May with a master’s degree in student affairs practice in higher education. She has accepted a position in the residential life office at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa. Kari-Ann Jean Chapman and Thomas Michael Hubiach ’05 were married June 18, 2005. Kari-Ann is employed as a nurse by the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. Thomas is employed as a pharmacist by CVS pharmacy in Lancaster, Pa., where the couple resides. Stephanie Smith Cooney, Pharm. D., recently became vice president and co-owner with her dad, David Smith, of Gatti Pharmacy in Indiana, Pa. She resides with her husband, Robert ’03, in Freeport, Pa. Michael Battista Kayrish is a registered nurse with Geisinger South WilkesBarre in the emergency department. He resides in Wilkes-Barre with his wife, Maureen (Hughes; Kayrish, who is attending Wilkes. Jamie Markovchick is an officer for the U.S. Secret Service. He resides in Weatherly, Pa. 2005 Bridget Giunta is the administrateive coordinator for the mayor of Wilkes-Barre. She was hired following an internship in WilkesBarre city hall. SamuelJ. Lawrence is a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. An air battle manager, he is assigned to the 325th Air Control Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla. Maureen Mulcahy was recently hired as a lean enterprise project manager by the Northeast Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center. Lisa Sainala, Pharm.D., is a certified pharmacist in Pennsylvania and Newjersey. Lisa has been practicing at Wal-Mart since September 2005. She r1-- resides ” in Clark* L.„..ts Summit, Pa. Eric Wolf works full-time in the gene therapy program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he has recently enrolled in a master of biotech­ nology degree program. He resides in Yardley, Pa., with his wife. 2006 Miranda Heness has recently accepted employment as a recruiting assistant in human resources at Staples in Englewood, N.J. Jeffrey Brittain, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, began his military career as a second lieutenant in November 2002 upon receipt of an academic scholarship from the Air Force. He was one of six students nationwide to be selected for this scholarship, serving in the Biomedical Services Corp. He resides in Puyallup, Wash. Regina Hinhel, Phann.D., works as a full-time pharmacist with Eckerd Pharmacy. Master's Degrees 1991 Judith Ellis was recently named first vice chairperson of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry. Earl Hoiiscknccht is employed as executive vice president of National Penn Bank. He is a board member for the Lehigh Valley Volunteer Center. He resides in North Whitehall Township, Pa. 2001 Renee (Majeslti) Miller is employed by the Wyoming Valley West School District as a first-grade teacher. She resides in West Pittston, Pa., with her husband, Michael ’01. Dana Siggins is a special education/emotional support teacher at Shoemaker Elementary School in Macungie, Pa., which is in the East Penn School District. 2002 1992 Gregory E. Fellerman was recently named a Pennsylvania Rising Star in the 2005 listing of Super Lawyers published in Philadelphia Magazine. 1996 Joseph of NovaMadiany Saving is._the vice . president of Nova Bank in Pa. Philadelphia. He residesSavings in Glenolden, Joe Shirvinshi is a principal at Annville Elementary School in Annville, Pa. He earned a second master’s degree in education leadership with principal’s certification in 2004. He resides with his wife. Wendy, and their children. 2000 Nicole (Foose) Titus is a recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund, a program that allows primary and secondary school educators to travel to Japan in an effort to promote greater intercultural understanding. She is a mathematics teacher at Fort Grcely Middle School in Delta Junction, Alaska. Barbara K. Buxton, M.S., R.N., is an assistant professor at the University of Scranton. She was an assistant professor of nursing at Wilkes University. She is a doctoral candidate in nursing at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Megan (Shaulis) Sevenslti is employed as a special education teacher at Hanover Area School District. She resides in Dallas, Pa., with her husband, Benedict Mathew. Amy Vargason is a fifth-grade teacher at H. Austin Snyder Elementary School in Sayre, Pa. She recently participated in the University of Minnesota’s “GoNorth" program. She resides in East Smithfield, Pa., with her husband. Randy, and three children. Michael Francis Wagner is employed as a science teacher in the J ini Thorpe School District. He resides with his wife. Lynn Halowich Wagner, in Forty-Fort, Pa. 26 27 �CLASsnotes 2003 Raffaclc LaForgia is the principal of Barber Elementary School in Allentown. Pa. He and his wife. Jaime, have a daughter, Giulia, and are expecting another child. Joe Long is a mens basketball coach at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke. Pa. He is working on a second masters degree from Wilkes in educational leadership. He resides in Pittston. Pa., with his wife. Jenny, and two sons. Joey and Jack. 2004 Beth Ann (Enright) Dougherty is employed as a financial analyst at Webclients.net in Harrisburg. Pa. She resides with her husband. Dr. David Dougherty, in Middletown. Pa. In Memoriam 1938 Thomas Warren Melson, 89, of Indian River Estates in Vero Beach, Fla., died March 18. 2006. at Indian River Estates Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Forty-Fort, Pa., he moved to Vero Beach in 2001. He was an accountant and had operated his own accounting service in Pennsylvania before retiring. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Amy Melson. Surviving are his daughter, Christine Melson of West Hartford, Conn.; son. Richard Melson of Chicago; and brother, Robert ’35 of Wyomissing, Pa. 1950 Chris Stine is a conductor and orchestra director at Hershey Middle School in Hershey. Pa. 2005 Jason Ferentino is district manager for Braintree Pharmaceuticals. He is secretary of the St. Roccos Holy Name Society and a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jilanna McNeal Kreider teaches Spanish II at Quakertown High School in Quakertown, Pa. 28 Lois (DeGraw) Huffman diedjuly 14, 2005. She had resided in Harrisburg. Pa., for the past six years. After graduating from Wilkes, she worked with the railroad in New Jersey for a time, but her career soon turned back to her love of books. Her employment over the years included Walden Books and the Aaron Decker Elementary School Library. Lois was a life-long member of the Butler United Methodist Church in New Jersey, and during the past six years, she actively supported the National World War 11 Memorial. She performed volunteer work for the Compassionate Care Hospice, Mended Hearts, Butler Museum Commission, and during World War II, with the Aircraft Warning Service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer ’52, in 1994. 1957 Paul W. Ord passed away on Nov. 16, 2004. 1962 Murray C. Davis III, M.D., died Sept. 19, 2005. 1970 Beulah (Cohen) Brandstadtcr passed away on Nov. 22, 2005, in Jackson, N.J. She had been living in an assisted living facility for more than four years. Beulah and her husband, Eugene, were furriers for 40 years in Pennsylvania and New York. Her husband died in 1993, in Scottsdale, Ariz., where the couple lived for 25 years. 1983 Dr. Nancy Matnmarella Nagy , 59, of Clarks Summit, Pa., died unexpectedly on March 6, 2006, at the Community Medical Center in Scranton. She was the wife of Attila (Art) Nagy who passed away on March 4. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wilkes College and a Ph.D. from Temple University. Nancy was a tenured associate professor and the director of the Graduate Reading Program at Marywood University in Scranton. She also was an active member of the Keystone State Reading Association and was a founding member of the Luzerne County Reading Council. (Date TBD) Ocl.6 - 8: Oct.7: October: (Date TBD) Homecoming Weekend Annual Open Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting (al! alumni invited) Wilkes Visits Boston-area alumni Nov. 18: Alumni Association Trip to New York City Nov. 30: Alumni Association Trip (Alpine Christmas Tour). Read more on page 3. 2007 Mar. 13: Alumni Association trip to Beijing, China. Read more on page 3. For information on upcoming events, check out the new Colonel Connection online community at: community.wilkes.edu �WILKES UNIVERSITY � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Alumni Magazine, 1947-present Subject The topic of the resource Alumni Relations Description An account of the resource <p>An archive of Wilkes University Magazine, from 1947-present. The magazine went through various names including <em>Wilkes Alumnus</em>, <em>Wilkes Quarterly,</em> <em>Wilkes Universe</em>, and the current title, <em>Wilkes Magazine</em>. Some editions for the <em>Wilkes Universe</em>, will have multiple issues within the file record. Our holdings may be missing editions for certain years due to having no physical copy within the collection. </p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Wilkes University Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Wilkes University Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1947-present Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Universe, Fall 2006 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Alumni Relations Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication